Bf 109 G range and endurance

[VO101_Isegrim]

Re: Griffon Spits, Guppy, if you look at the range chart comparison I posted, it shows the mk14`s range on internal 112 gallon being 460 miles, compared to 434miles on the MkIX, despite the latter having only 85 gallons. So it`s wasn`t THAT bad, the extra fuel tanks made up for the Griffon consuming fuel like the Sahara a drop of water. Of course, 460 miles is rather bad compared the same tankage MkVIII`s 740 miles internal range...

Also, I think the AFDU comparison between the Mk IX and XIV also says the the XIV has lower endurance, but apprx. the same range as the Mk IX, as the Griffon Spit has a higher cruising speed.

[HoHun]

Hi Dan,

>As Spit XIIs were/are my passion, I know that the Spit XII with the same 85 gallons as a Spit V or IX had less range because the Griffon drank it faster.  There would be little doubt that this would be the same for the Griffon XIV as well.  The XII pilots always went with drop tanks too as standard practice.

Thanks, that seems to make very good sense!

(By reducing the fuel load to 85 gallons in my Spitfire XIV calculation, I end up with a combat radius of 90 miles according to the RAF mission description. Of course, the XII is not exactly identical to a XIV, but that gives an impression of the value of the XIV's wing tanks!)

>Regarding the Spit I.  Spit the Hist lists the range for the Spit I as 575 but also states a combat range of 395.   I imagine it all comes down to power settings etc.

It's my impression that 575 miles is the theoretical still-air range, and 395 miles a more realistic range (possibly mostly at the same power setting) including warm-up, taxy, climb etc.

Regards,

Henning (HoHun)