History
The Supermarine Spitfire is one of the truly legendary aircraft, not just of World War II, but of all time. A brilliant design, the basic Spitfire wing and fuselage were able to be developed over and again into many different configurations during the course of World War II, and each excelled in its own right. This aircraft features all of the latest advances in "Absolute Realism" flight modeling, including engine management and airspeed gage error. We have introduced a new aspect of realism by incorporating the airspeed indicator error factor into the pilot's airspeed indicator. View the chart below to see the error correction factors.
The Spitfire was designed by R. J. Mitchell, an aeronautical engineer of stellar talent who had previously designed such aircraft as the Supermarine S6B, which won the Schneider Trophy in 1931. Borrowing from the developments of others, including the low-wing, monocoque design which came from the United States, Mitchell crafted a superb basic design which stands to this day as one of the greatest piston fighters in aviation history. Mitchell envisioned a light, maneuverable craft with low drag, elliptical wings, and a broad performance envelope. The result was the Spitfire, a capable, lethal, yet forgiving aircraft that proved more than equal to anything the Germans could throw at it, including the vaunted Focke-Wulf 190.
The Spitfire had a number of design characteristics which set it apart from other contemporary fighter aircraft. The Merlin engine, the elliptical wing, the well-harmonized controls, and the versatile wing planform all worked together to create a package that was perhaps unmatched in terms of its immediate effectiveness and its potential to be developed further. Unlike the Japanese Zero, which was obsolete by 1943, the Spitfire was just getting into its prime. Chief among the features that set the Spit apart from other aircraft was its wing, which design served multiple purposes. The elliptical planform and relatively broad root chord allowed a thinner airfoil section, reducing drag while preserving lift, allowing very low wing loading. This increased top speed, preserved a low stalling speed, increased the service ceiling, and provided excellent low-speed agility. But the broad wing chord also allowed the convenient fitment of armament such as multiple 20mm cannon.
The Spitfire set a number of aviation performance records, including the fastest recorded speed in a dive (606 mph true airspeed) and a height record. It last saw combat in 1948 during the Arab-Israeli war, where Spitfires from both sides were pitted against one another. But the honor which will always distinguish this singular aircraft is its superb service during the Battle of Britain, where it -- along with the Hawker Hurricane -- helped to fend off German designs for invasion of Great Britain. For that, it will always be remembered.
About fifty Spitfires survive today, many still flyable.
General Information - Supermarine Spitfire Mk IA
The Spitfire Mk IA was the initial production version with some minor modifications. It utilized the Merlin III engine, and with the availability of high-octane fuel, was able to be overboosted to 12 psi of manifold pressure using a boost control cutout. This greatly increased the top speed, but was discouraged in all but the most dire emergencies. In the event, most pilots considered any form of air combat a dire emergency, and the overboosting of the Merlin III became routine. This aircraft also made use of the Rotol constant speed propeller which improved performance substantially as compared to the original, two-bladed wooden props fitted to the Mk IA.
- Empty Weight: 4,999 lbs.
- Wingspan: 36.8 feet
- Wing Area: 242 square feet
- Normal Takeoff Weight: 6,050 lbs.
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 6,250 lbs.
- Top Speed @ sea level: 289 mph TAS
- Top Speed @ sea level: 340 mph TAS (War Emergency)
- Top Speed: 354 mph TAS @ 20,000 feet MSL
- Top Speed: 410 mph TAS @ 20,000 feet MSL (War Emergency)
- Stalling Speed, clean (6,000 lbs.): 81 mph IAS
- Stalling Speed, landing (6,000 lbs.): 69 mph IAS
- Service Ceiling: 34,700 feet
- Powerplant: Rolls-Royce Merlin III, 1300 HP War Emergency, 1025 HP for takeoff.
- Armament: (8) .303 caliber machine guns with 300 rounds per gun.
