Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII JF463
The Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII was a high-performance fighter variant of the Spitfire, designed as an improvement over the Mk VII with no pressurization and optimized for more general combat roles. Below are its key specifications:
- Designation: Mk VIII
- Type No.: 360
- First Flight: 20th November 1942 (aircraft serial JF274)
Dimensions:
- Wingspan: 36 ft 10 in (11.23 m)
- Length: 31 ft 3½ in (9.54 m)
- Height: 11 ft 8½ in (3.57 m) (tip of propeller, tail up)
Performance:
- Engine:
- Merlin 61: Two-speed, two-stage, 1,565 hp (1,167 kW)
- Merlin 63: Two-speed, two-stage, 1,710 hp (1,275 kW)
- Maximum Speed: 408 mph (656 km/h) at 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
- Service Ceiling: 43,000 ft (13,120 m)
- Range: 660 miles (1,062 km)
Armament:
- Standard:
- Two 20 mm Hispano cannon (120 rounds per gun)
- Four 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns (350 rounds per gun)
- Optional configuration:
- Four 20 mm Hispano cannon (120 rounds per gun)
- Bomb load: 1,000 lb (454 kg) total—500 lb (227 kg) on the centerline and two 250 lb (113 kg) bombs under each wing.
Other Features:
- Cockpit: Unpressurized, with internal bulletproof glass for pilot protection.
- Tailwheel: Retractable, enhancing aerodynamics.
- Propeller: Rotol four-blade, variable-pitch, constant-speed propeller:
- Types include R3/4F5/2, R3/4F5/3, and R5/4F5/4 (Dural or Jablo/Hydrulignum) for the Merlin 61 engine.
- Type R12/4F5/4 (Jablo or Hydrulignum) for the Merlin 63/63A engine, with a diameter of 10 ft 9 in (3.28 m).
- Radio Equipment: TR.1143 and A.1271 (for beam approach navigation) with ARI.5000 or ARI.5025.
Production:
- Total Built: 267 units.
Notable Features:
- Flexibility in Armament: The Mk VIII could carry both heavy cannon and machine guns or could be configured with a full cannon armament loadout for increased firepower. Additionally, it had bomb-carrying capabilities, making it more versatile as a fighter-bomber.
- Improved Aerodynamics: The retractable tailwheel and advanced propeller technology provided enhanced performance in high-speed and high-altitude conditions.
- Long Range: The Mk VIII had a range of 660 miles, which was significantly improved for longer missions compared to earlier variants, and allowed it to perform escort and extended combat duties.
The Mk VIII was used in multiple theaters, including Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Far East, proving to be one of the more capable and versatile Spitfire variants of World War II.