Spitfire Mk LF VB (Clipped)

[Bruv119]

I wish this plane to be added to bridge the gap between early war and Late war spitfires.  

"With the advent of the superb Focke Wulf Fw 190 in August 1941 the Spitfire was for the first time truly outclassed, hastening the development of the "interim" Mk IX. In an effort to counter this threat, especially at lower altitudes, the VB was the first production version of the Spitfire to use 'clipped' wingtips as an option, reducing the wingspan to 32 ft 2 in (9.8 m).The clipped wings increased the roll rate and airspeed at lower altitudes. Several different versions of the Merlin 45/50 family were used, including the Merlin 45M which had a smaller 'cropped' supercharger impeller and boost increased to +18 lb. This engine produced 1,585 hp (1,182 kW) at 2,750 ft (838 m), increasing the L.F VB's maximum rate of climb to 4720 ft/min (21.6 m/s) at 2,000 ft (610 m)."

As with the new A6M3 I feel the need for a little clippage to speed the thing up and give the RAF guys something to play with that doesn't involve taking the much hated Spit 16 in the MA.   This may help reduce the whines and running from fights.  

[Tupac]

Yes.

[Wildcat1]

+1

anything to keep you out of a spit IX or spit VIII

[Masherbrum]

I wish this plane to be added to bridge the gap between early war and Late war spitfires.  

"With the advent of the superb Focke Wulf Fw 190 in August 1941 the Spitfire was for the first time truly outclassed, hastening the development of the "interim" Mk IX. In an effort to counter this threat, especially at lower altitudes, the VB was the first production version of the Spitfire to use 'clipped' wingtips as an option, reducing the wingspan to 32 ft 2 in (9.8 m).The clipped wings increased the roll rate and airspeed at lower altitudes. Several different versions of the Merlin 45/50 family were used, including the Merlin 45M which had a smaller 'cropped' supercharger impeller and boost increased to +18 lb. This engine produced 1,585 hp (1,182 kW) at 2,750 ft (838 m), increasing the L.F VB's maximum rate of climb to 4720 ft/min (21.6 m/s) at 2,000 ft (610 m)."

As with the new A6M3 I feel the need for a little clippage to speed the thing up and give the RAF guys something to play with that doesn't involve taking the much hated Spit 16 in the MA.   This may help reduce the whines and running from fights.  

(Image removed from quote.)

303 Squadron bird there.   Jan Zumbach's to boot.   

[oakranger]

Did the brits have OTHER AC that they flew in the war beside the spit?

[gyrene81]

Did the brits have OTHER AC that they flew in the war beside the spit?

depends on what time period and what theater of ops you're talking about...everything from p-36 to meteor...of course the eto/mto squadrons were always the first to get the newest shiny toys.

[SmokinLoon]

So this would be very similar to the current Spitfire Mk V currently in AH, except with a Gay16-like roll rate and more ammo?

I vote no.

[MachFly]

Another clipped wing Spitfire 
I'm all for having more Spitfires but the clipped wings are one wing that make the most beautiful aircraft be the ugliest.

I'm not going to give it a "-1", but I can't say "+1" either.

[MachFly]

a Gay16

I was not aware that an airplane could be homosexual     

[RTHolmes]

I thought we already have a VB as the B wing could only carry 60rpg fed from drums, the C wing used boxes and carried 120rpg ...

but an LF version of one of them clipped would be a good addition, the production numbers show that separate VB and VC versions arent unreasonable:

#s     Mk
3971   LFIX   (AHs spixteen!)
3923   VB
2447   VC
1549   I
1294   IX
1250   Sea III
1226   LF VIII
1054   LF XVI
920    II
500    XIV
471    XI
430    FR XIV
400    HFIX
372    Sea II
272    VIII
261    PR
225    XIX
160    HF VIII
141    VII
100    VI
100    XII
94     VA
27     XIV RV
16     X
2      III
2      IV

[Guppy35]

If you are serious about adding another Spit, it would be better served with a Spitfire Vc with the tropical filter, DT and bomb carrying ability and the different rated Engine of the later V.   You then cover all the CBI and PTO Spit Vs and the majority of the MTO Spit Vs that stuck around .

It would be similar to adding the LFXVI to go with the FIX. 

A Spitfire Vc Trop would along with the Seafire III would be the most justifiable Spit additions in terms of both MA and Special Events use in my opinion.  And no to four cannons on the Vc

Just saw some nice photos of 318 Squadron Spitfire LFVc Trops today.  Still flying combat in the MTO into 45

[oakranger]

I thought we already have a VB as the B wing could only carry 60rpg fed from drums, the C wing used boxes and carried 120rpg ...

but an LF version of one of them clipped would be a good addition, the production numbers show that separate VB and VC versions arent unreasonable:

#s     Mk
3971   LFIX   (AHs spixteen!)
3923   VB
2447   VC
1549   I
1294   IX
1250   Sea III
1226   LF VIII
1054   LF XVI
920    II
500    XIV
471    XI
430    FR XIV
400    HFIX
372    Sea II
272    VIII
261    PR
225    XIX
160    HF VIII
141    VII
100    VI
100    XII
94     VA
27     XIV RV
16     X
2      III
2      IV

Is that all the variants of spits in WWII?

[Plazus]

Only if it comes with a Polish skin.

[Bruv119]

It is pretty clear from those figures that the seafire mk II should be swapped out with the more common Seafire mk III.  At least for Late war usage.   

As for the Spit LF mk VC   If that also was used more frequently in multiple theatres, with it's 240 overall cannon load out, then I modify my wish to that one.   A spit dweeb can never have too many 20mm rounds 

Another question for you Guppy did the Spit mk II counter-act the negative G carburettor problem and how early did they get them out in production?

Machfly Extra speed and roll rate gives you more bang for your buck.   I have a great book of large print Spit mk 14's with clipped wings but Guppy has said that they didn't do that to them until after the war.   I can't think of something more dominating than a 14 with clipped wings.  It is a powerful 190D with better handling.   Unleashing the potential of the powerful Griffon engine. 

As a counter balance to my spitfire wishes.   I suggest giving the luftwaffe one fighter and one bomber from these 109 G6's with 30mm! 190-A4-6,   me 410.  he-111,  Dornier 217.

Then the Allies get the Beaufighter because of the 410 whines.

[moot]

Only if we get a dinghy with the 410.