Best Looking Spitfire?

Not wishing to ‘rock the boat’ but I disagree with the view about the Mk.XII, sort of…:diablo:

I actually think that the Navalised Mk.XII, i.e. Seafire Mk.XV, looks even better.

Surely it is Jeffrey Quill’s favourite. The Mk V with the short, low altitude, big engine.

The Mk XII. 🙂

Mark

I wouldn’t think there would even be any debate. Spit XII all the way 🙂

my vote goes to Mk XIV RN201 in it’s silver/red markings, which is a bit strange since I normally prefer elliptical wingtips
Graeme

She gained wingtips before she left us to go stateside, so your preference is now satisfied…:)

RN201. . . and the MkIX

Sorry if you didn’t want specific aircraft, but my vote goes to Mk XIV RN201 in it’s silver/red markings, which is a bit strange since I normally prefer elliptical wingtips, Merlin engine, and the smaller rudder, none of which are features of the Mk XIV!. There’s just something about that combination of shape and markings that made me sorry to see RN201 go to the States.
Owner’s prerogative of course.

If I’d to pick a general mark, I’d go for the Mk IX. Merlin engine, smaller rudder, symmetrical radiator fairings and a carburettor intake that in my opinion blends in with the fuselage better than the earlier, shorter version.

Interesting to see how different versions of the same basic design appeal to different people.

Graeme

MkIX

My favourite is the MkIX, but with the teardrop canopy and the RV cut-down rear fuselage. The MkXVI is pretty much the same (type361) but the engine top cowls are bulged upwards to clear the intercooler on the Merlin 266. I think it has the header tank integrated. I’m not keen on the clipped wings of the LF versions… ‘prefer the nice curly ones!

MkIX

My favourite is the MkIX with the teardrop canopy and the RV cut-down rear fuselage. The MkXVI is pretty much the same (type361) but the engine top cowls are bulged upwards to clear the intercooler. I think it has the header tank integrated. I’m not keen on the clipped wings of the LF versions… ‘prefer the nice curly ones!

Best looking in terms of overall looks or in terms of flying display? Early Mk IX for the former (elliptic wing tips, rounded rudder, no-filter air intake), but definitely Mk XII for the latter (not that I have seen a Mk XII in flight, but how I wish I have!).

Let’s hope the Authorities haven’t contrived to end public display flying by then.

If they have, we’ll have to see it in private. Judging by the number of people actually able to appreciate the Mark XII, and with Mark12’s help, this should still be doable…

You most certainly will.

It would be a SWAG estimate, but I would say within the next five to eight years. 🙂

Mark

Let’s hope the Authorities haven’t contrived to end public display flying by then.

You took the words out of my mouth Mark. Without a doubt it’s the

Mark XII!

Do you think we’ll ever see one flying?!? I hope so…….
C6

You most certainly will.

It would be a SWAG estimate, but I would say within the next five to eight years. 🙂

Mark

Low back MkXIVc G-FIRE when she made her debut at Biggin Hill. Gleaming scarlet paint, strobes in the gun ports and on the cannon stubs and that cheat-line making her look just SO sleek! Of course the downside for the forum is there’s no shades of Cammo or roundel types to debate :p

Ps Does anyone know the BS or FS paint code for “Spencer Red” ? 😀

PS890 gets my vote – what a beast, smart PR colours and those contra props really do grab my eye

Can only be the Spitfire XVI TB752.

Especially when I was sat in her.

Although, sorry to say, I still think the Hurricane is better! :p

http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/mus/uk/f-k/hurrispitmemorial.htm

Surely it is Jeffrey Quill’s favourite. The Mk V with the short, low altitude, big engine.

The Mk XII. 🙂

Mark

You took the words out of my mouth Mark. Without a doubt it’s the

Mark XII!

Do you think we’ll ever see one flying?!? I hope so…….

C6

A standard P.R. XIX is the best proportioned Spitfire of them all, high back, long elegant nose, gracefull larger rudder and pure eliptical wings with no bulges on the upper surfaces and no cannons pertruding from the leading edges, If R.J. had lived long enough I think he would of approved.

A Mk 1, with three bladed prop, 1940 B of B colours, all original andjust as R.J designed

Surely it is Jeffrey Quill’s favourite. The Mk V with the short, low altitude, big engine.

The Mk XII. 🙂

Mark

I’m with you, a Mk XII. Any body got a MkV and a short Griffon I could use ha ha.

mick.

mkviii with teeth no contest:D

What drivel, Joseph Smith and the team took the Spitfire to absolute perfection and was developed much further than the Mustang, the final variants are the pinacle of piston engine fighter design – one wonders though if Supermarine should have tried building the Spiteful / Seafang earlier, maybe in place of the final Spitfire marks.

Isn’t drivel, when someone is talking b0!!0cks, but doesn’t know it? I on the other hand know its b0!!0cks, but can’t stop myself….

if you think….

Mustang, the final variants are the pinacle of piston engine fighter design – one wonders though if Supermarine should have tried building the Spiteful / Seafang earlier, maybe in place of the final Spitfire marks.

late marks had the Griffon which had a cubic capacity something like one third greater than a merlin, in essentially the same airframe with developed rudder etc – without the Griffon versions the spit would have dropped off the radar a fair few years earlier and there is an argument that says the name should have changed with the engine change, but skip the 21,22 & 24 and go straight to Spiteful is an idea – still overtaken by the jet though, whatever way you look at it.

Yes, the one with laminar flow wings, different shape rudder, clam shell U/C doors, bubble canopy etc , was so far from the perfect shape, that was Mitchell’s original design, they gave it a different name….”Mustang” (thats right isn’t it Chris?)

What drivel, Joseph Smith and the team took the Spitfire to absolute perfection and was developed much further than the Mustang, the final variants are the pinacle of piston engine fighter design – one wonders though if Supermarine should have tried building the Spiteful / Seafang earlier, maybe in place of the final Spitfire marks.