Just reading SpitSociety’s webpage and came across this
http://www.spitfiresociety.demon.co.uk/spitdev.htm
“….As mentioned earlier, the Mk XIV was so successful that a sophisticated version, known as the “Super Spitfire”, was built. The “tear drop” canopy was used again and with a Griffon engine, a modified fuselage and wing shape, the Spitfire Mk XVIII was introduced. This aircraft was capable of over 470 mph, and production started in March 1945……”
Not wanting to purposely destroy the credibility of that excellent website, but were Spitfires ever that fast ?? i.e. 470mph ??
TNZ
By: dhfan - 12th August 2004 at 14:44
At least three Spitfires reached very high Mach numbers, but how they relate to mph I don’t remember.
Sdn Ldr Martindale did it twice at Boscombe Down, IIRC. The first time losing the prop and reduction gear and the second time causing himself some fairly serious back damage.
There were a couple of articles in “the other” magazine a year or two back about, I think, Flt Lt Powles. He was flying a MkXIX from Singapore (?) and ended up in a very high speed dive. He believed he may have attained the highest speed ever in a Spitfire and I think there was some documentation to back it up.
By: turbo_NZ - 12th August 2004 at 12:37
The wing section was supposed to be good for high mach numbers I believe.
I reckon the Thunderbolt gets to high speed just be sheer weight & force…. !!!
TNZ
By: st170dw - 12th August 2004 at 11:45
This may be of interest regarding Spitfires at high mach numbers
http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/attachment.php?attachmentid=2413
By: turbo_NZ - 12th August 2004 at 11:37
According to Spitfire a Complete Fighting History the top speeds for various later marks were as follows:
XVIII 442
XIX 460
XXI 454
XXII 454
XXIV 454I hope this helps.
Thanks ST170dw
By: DazDaMan - 12th August 2004 at 11:26
yeah thought so,…but thought 470mph+ could be just a little too fast, in a dive maybe though :confused:
TNZ
Dunno, sure I read somewhere of a PR19 doing over 500mph in a dive once.
By: st170dw - 12th August 2004 at 11:25
According to Spitfire a Complete Fighting History the top speeds for various later marks were as follows:
XVIII 442
XIX 460
XXI 454
XXII 454
XXIV 454
I hope this helps.
By: turbo_NZ - 12th August 2004 at 11:23
yeah thought so,…but thought 470mph+ could be just a little too fast, in a dive maybe though :confused:
TNZ
By: DazDaMan - 12th August 2004 at 11:15
I’d have to have a look at my books (or spend some time browsing) but I’m sure the top level speeds were in the region of 450+ for some marks…
By: turbo_NZ - 12th August 2004 at 11:13
hmmm,…I would have gathered that the late model Griffon ones would be all out at 430-440 mph…
Maybe Daz can help here.. 🙂
TNZ
By: Slipstream - 12th August 2004 at 08:32
I once read an April fool joke article that detailed the design of a 500mph turbo prop Spitfire that was dubbed the ‘Gasfire’.
By: Christer - 12th August 2004 at 07:41
470 mph was the never exceed speed. Above that speed the controls stiffened up quite a bit.
The Mk.XVIII was actually a few mph slower than the MK.XIV due to its slightly higher weight.
Christer
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August 12, 2004 at 1:29 am