Spitfire Mk Vc EE624 TM-R of No. 504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron RAF at Middle Wallop, December 1942
The Spitfire Mk V was developed as an interim variant but became one of the most successful and widely produced Spitfires, largely due to the adaptability of its design. Its origins lay in the Spitfire Mk I and Mk II, but it was upgraded with the Merlin 45 engine, which was essentially a Merlin XX without a low-altitude supercharger. This engine could be installed into Mk I and Mk II airframes without extensive modifications, and airframes on the production line could easily incorporate the new engine.
Initially, the Mk V was meant to be a temporary solution while the more advanced Mk III and Mk VI were in development. The Mk VI, in particular, was expected to counter high-altitude Luftwaffe aircraft due to its pressurized cockpit. However, as this threat did not materialize, the Mk V became the main production variant. It was the second most produced Spitfire after the Mk IX and was widely exported during and after World War II.
The first squadron to receive the Mk V was No. 92 Squadron in February 1941. Early Mk Vs were conversions of Mk I and Mk II airframes, strengthened to handle the Merlin 45 engine, and delivered alongside new production models. These early versions had the same armament of eight 0.303in machine guns as the Mk I and II, but they could be identified by their larger oil coolers, which had a circular intake rather than the semi-circular intake of earlier models. The Mk V also introduced metal-covered ailerons, which improved handling and flying characteristics.
The first variant, the Mk Va, retained the armament of eight machine guns, but only 94 examples were produced before it was decided that heavier firepower was needed. This led to the development of the Mk Vb, which carried two 20mm Hispano cannons and four 0.303in machine guns. Although early versions of the Mk Vb had issues with the drum-fed cannon, resulting in limited ammunition, a redesign later allowed for 120 rounds per cannon, significantly improving the aircraft’s effectiveness.
In October 1941, the Mk Vc variant was introduced with the universal wing, allowing it to carry a variety of armaments, including eight machine guns, four cannons, or a combination of two cannons and four machine guns. The universal wing was also capable of carrying bombs, making the Spitfire a fighter-bomber for the first time. While the Mk Vc could be equipped with four cannons, the more common loadout was two cannons and four machine guns, as the additional weight of the extra cannons affected the aircraft’s performance.
Efforts to extend the Spitfire’s range continued, leading to the development of jettisonable fuel tanks that could be mounted on the centerline of the aircraft. These tanks, which initially held 30 or 45 gallons and later 90 gallons, significantly increased the Spitfire’s range but affected stability until they were emptied or jettisoned.
While the Mk V was at the height of its success, it faced a new challenge with the introduction of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 by the Luftwaffe. This German aircraft outperformed the Spitfire Mk V, leading to further modifications to improve the Spitfire’s low-altitude performance and roll rate. The Mk V also received a negative-G carburetor, which allowed the engine to continue running when the aircraft was in a dive, solving a problem that had plagued earlier models.
Despite being intended as a stopgap, the Mk V became the backbone of Fighter Command by the end of 1941, with most squadrons equipped with the type. It was also the first Spitfire variant to see operational use overseas and was supplied to several allied air forces. The Mk V was deployed on every front where the RAF operated, and in some cases, it was even fitted with floats to operate as a floatplane. Although the floatplane Spitfire was never mass-produced, the Mk V did give rise to the Seafire, a carrier-based version that led to further naval variants.
The success of the Mk V as a versatile and capable fighter, despite its origins as a land-based, short-range interceptor, made it a crucial asset during World War II. Its adaptability allowed it to perform a wide range of roles, from high-altitude dogfights to ground-attack missions and naval operations.