Gifted To King Tupou I Tonga No 3
The Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk XVI series, including the LF Mk XVIc and LF Mk XVIe, were low-altitude variants of the Spitfire powered by the Packard-built Merlin 226 engines. These aircraft were optimized for performance at lower altitudes and were distinguished by several key features, including a retractable tailwheel and armament variations.
Specifications Across LF Mk XVI Variants:
LF Mk XVIc
- Designation: LF Mk XVIc
- Type: Single-seat Fighter
- Span: 32 ft 10 in (9.93 m)
- Length: 31 ft 4 in (9.55 m)
- Height: 12 ft 7¾ in (3.86 m)
- Engine: Two-speed, two-stage 1,315 hp (980 kW) Packard Merlin 226
- Max Speed: 405 mph (632 km/h) at 22,000 ft (6,696 m)
- Service Ceiling: 42,500 ft (12,935 m)
- Range: 434 miles (698 km)
- Armament:
- Four 20 mm cannon
- Cockpit: Unpressurized (with internal bulletproof glass)
- Tailwheel: Retractable
- Propeller: Rotol, Four-blade, Variable-pitch, Constant-speed, Hydrulignum
- Production: 1,054 (Total Mk XVI production)
LF Mk XVIe
- Designation: LF Mk XVIe
- Type: Single-seat Fighter
- Span: 32 ft 10 in (9.93 m)
- Length: 31 ft 4 in (9.55 m)
- Height: 12 ft 7¾ in (3.86 m)
- Engine: Two-speed, two-stage 1,315 hp (980 kW) Packard Merlin 226
- Max Speed: 405 mph (632 km/h) at 22,000 ft (6,696 m)
- Service Ceiling: 42,500 ft (12,935 m)
- Range: 434 miles (698 km)
- Armament:
- Two 20 mm cannon
- Two 0.5 in (12.7 mm) machine guns
- Up to 1,000 lb (454 kg) of bombs (500 lb on centerline and 250 lb under each wing)
- Cockpit: Unpressurized (with internal bulletproof glass)
- Tailwheel: Retractable
- Propeller: Rotol, Four-blade, Variable-pitch, Constant-speed, Hydrulignum
- Production: 1,054 (*included with LF Mk XVIc production)
Key Notes:
- Both variants were powered by the Packard-built Merlin 226, a licensed version of the Rolls-Royce Merlin, tuned for low-altitude performance.
- The Mk XVIc variant was armed exclusively with four 20 mm Hispano cannons, while the Mk XVIe featured a more mixed armament of two 20 mm Hispano cannons and two 0.5 in Browning machine guns, with added capacity to carry bombs.
- The retractable tailwheel was a distinguishing feature for the Mk XVI series, improving the aircraft’s overall aerodynamic profile.