Author Topic: Spitfire VIII (8) questions... (Read 909 times)

1K3 · « **on:** January 09, 2006, 12:10:05 AM »

I know spit 8 was said to be the FINEST RR Merlin-powered spits to enter service but now my question is...

Where did spit 8s opperated? Theaters?

Guppy35 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2006, 12:12:08 AM »

MTO , CBI and Burma. RAF, USAAF, RAAF

They were tropicalized from the start.

Squire · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2006, 03:21:44 AM »

MTO: Southern France, Italy, N. Africa, Malta, Corsica. 43-45 RAF/RCAF and USAAF.

The 31st FG USAAF I think was the last US unit to operate it in the MED, before they transitioned to P-51s (1944).

It never served in NW Europe as the IXs (and others) were ear marked for there, it was a logistical call to send the VIIIs "overseas", where the slightly longer range and tropical filters were deemed as needed more than in Europe.

mw · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2006, 07:33:11 AM »

Hiyas:

I did a bit of research into the subject and put a page up at http://www.spitfireperformance.com/spitfire-VIII.html One thing that surprised me was the extent to which the VIIIs were used in southern France. I'd like to ask the community for a little help: does anyone have any good photos of VIII's in the MTO or can anyone recommend a book that may contain some nice photos? ( I've got 417 covered) If anyone knows of squadrons using VIIIs that I've missed, please let me know.

Hi Squire: the 52nd FG also used Spits in the MTO, mostly IXs towards the end, but its likely they had a few VIIIs. I think they converted to Mustangs shortly after the 31st.

Heya Dan: Don't forget RCAF (417) and SAAF (1, maybe others)

Mike

Angus · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2006, 10:23:37 AM »

Neville Duke flew one in Italy I recall. I can fish out squadron and date if it's any use

mw · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2006, 10:58:57 AM »

Hello Angus:

Thanks for the tip! It was a good one

I checked around a bit and found that Neville Duke was S/Ldr with 145 Sqdn in Italy from about March 44 to Sept. 44. 145 Sqdn used Spitfire VIII's beginning at Malta in June 43, at Sicily in July 43 and Italy from September 43 to the end of the war. So, Duke would have flown the VIII. Rawlings shows a rather poor quality photo of a 145 Sqdn Spitfire VIII at Fano, Italy in Autumn 44. I just ordered two of Duke's books - Test Pilot and The War Diaries of Neville Duke

Angus · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2006, 11:22:54 AM »

Hello!
It's "Test Pilot" I have, an excellent read.
I got it from Foyles in London. Some rarities are sometimes to be picked up at Motorbooks near Charing cross street (maybe near st.Martin's?), - not so sure, but you basically pass both from Oxford Circus down to Leicester square if you go by Charing cross street

Oh, me bad, they probably both have websites with some co.uk after their name

Anyway, I could pick some titles from my funny library and give the ISBN if you like, just say the word

Big G · « **Reply #7 on:** January 16, 2006, 10:40:51 PM »

Hey guys
I have a quick question for the spit guys like Angus etc :
In terms of the MA in here, how would the VIII be best employed in terms of flying style and optimum alt to start at ?
And how does the VIII differ from other models such as the 16?
Thanks guys
Big G10 (K4 and Yak driver)

Karnak · « **Reply #8 on:** January 16, 2006, 11:34:18 PM »

Spit VIII has the same engine af the Mk XVI so it is a medium alt Spit as well. It has full span wings so it rolls slower, but it does have more fuel due to fuel tanks in the wings. It has .303s instead of the .50s.

It entered service in mid 1943 as opposed to the mid 1944 for the Mk XVI. It also was used in theaters other than Europe, such as the Med., CBI and Pacific.

Angus · « **Reply #9 on:** January 17, 2006, 10:54:17 AM »

Karnak covered this well.
Spit VIII is the one with long range, and it can well afford to mix it with any other Spit.
Me, a Spit guy? Uhhh, I'm a Spit/109 guy at the moment

gatt · « **Reply #10 on:** January 17, 2006, 11:08:37 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Angus
Me, a Spit guy? Uhhh, I'm a Spit/109 guy at the moment

You opportunist

You chose the best and most beautiful a/c in the arena .... in my NSHO of course

Angus · « **Reply #11 on:** January 18, 2006, 03:47:36 AM »

Awfully sorry. Forgot to mention the Macci

(good 109 killer, hehe)

mw · « **Reply #12 on:** January 19, 2006, 10:19:34 AM »

There were Spitfire VIII's operating over and from Yugoslavia. 253 Sqdn for example was based there late in the war. I'm not sure what theater that would be classified as - South East Europe, Balkans, MTO...?