Spitfire FR. Mk XIVE - August 1945 - based with thanks on an illustration in Daniel J. March 'British Warplanes of World War II' (Grange Books 2000)
Mk. XIVE

 

Vickers Supermarine
SPITFIRE Mk XIV

Early in1944 the Air Fighting Development Unit flew a Mk XIV Spitfire in a comparative trial against a captured Focke-Wulf 190A. The following are extracts from the official report.

Maximum Speed:  From 0-5,000 feet [0-1525 metres] and between 15,000-20,000 feet 
[4573-6100 metres] the Spitfire XIV is only 20 mph [32 km/hr] faster than the FW190; 
at all other heights it is up to 60 mph [97 km/hr] faster.

Maximum Climb: The Spitfire XIV has a considerably greater rate of climb at all altitudes.

Dive: After the initial part of the dive, during which the FW 190 gains slightly, the Spitfire XIV has a slight advantage.

Turning Circle:  The Spitfire XIV can easily turn inside the FW 190. In the case of a right-hand turn, this difference is not so pronounced.

Rate of Roll:  The FW 190 is very much better.

Conclusions:  In defence, the Spitfire XIV should us its remarkable maximum climb and turning circle against enemy aircraft.  In the attack it can affort to 'mix it' but should beware of the quick roll and dive.
If this manoeuvre is used by a FW190 and the Spitfire XIV follows, it will probably not be able to close 
the range until the FW190 has pulled out of its dive.

 

Engine

2050 hp Rolls-Royce Griffon, V12 liquid-cooled

Dimensions

Span 11,23 m; length 9,95 m; height 3,85 m

Weights

Empty weight 2993 kg; max. take off 3855 kg

Performance

Max. speed 720 km/h (448 mph) at 7924 m (26000 ft); ceiling 16563 m; range 1367 km

Armament

2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannon, 4 x 0,303 mg ( C-wing ) and 1 x 1000 lb. bomb or rocket projectiles

Production

957

Sources:
Squadron/Signal, Spitfire in action; John Rawlings, Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their aircrafts; Osprey, Late mark Spitfire aces 1942-1945; Internet

Spitfire XIV vs Messerschmitt Bf109G

Mk XIV Spitfire flown by Squadron Leader R.A. Newbury, Commanding Officer of 610 Squadron RAF, based at Lympne in 1944 - operating against V1 pilotless aircraft ('flying bombs')

Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 of I/JG3 'Udet' in June 1943

Early in1944 the Air Fighting Development Unit at Duxford flew a Mk XIV Spitfire in a comparative trial against a captured Messerschmitt Bf109G. The 109G was the latest sub-type of this by-then veteran German fighter. The following are extracts from the official report.

Maximum Speed:  The Spitfire XIV is 40 mph [64 km/hr] faster at all heights except near 16,000 feet 
[4878 m]  - where it is only 10 mph [16 km/hr] faster.

Maximum Climb: The same result - at 16,000 feet [4878 m] the two aircraft are virtually identical, otherwise the Spitfire XIV outclimbs the 109.  The zoom climb is practically identical when the climb is made without the throttle open. Climbing at full throttle, the Spitfire XIV draws away from the 109 quite easily.

Dive: During the initial part of the dive, the 109 draws away slightly, but when a speed of 380 mph [611 km/hr] is reached the Spitfire XIV begins to gain on the 109.

Turning Circle:  The Spitfire XIV easily out-turns the 109 in either direction.

Rate of Roll:  The Spitfire XIV rolls much more quickly.

Conclusion:  The Spitfire XIV is superior in every respect.

 

Spitfire XIV vs Focke-Wulf 190A

Defence of the Reich Focke-Wulf 190A-8 of I Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 1 based at Twenthe in the Netherlands in 1944 - flown by the Gruppenkommandeur, Major Hans Ehlers, who was shot down and killed 27 December 1944

Early in1944 the Air Fighting Development Unit flew a Mk XIV Spitfire in a comparative trial against a captured Focke-Wulf 190A. The following are extracts from the official report.

Maximum Speed:  From 0-5,000 feet [0-1525 metres] and between 15,000-20,000 feet 
[4573-6100 metres] the Spitfire XIV is only 20 mph [32 km/hr] faster than the FW190; 
at all other heights it is up to 60 mph [97 km/hr] faster.

Maximum Climb: The Spitfire XIV has a considerably greater rate of climb at all altitudes.

Dive: After the initial part of the dive, during which the FW 190 gains slightly, the Spitfire XIV has a slight advantage.

Turning Circle:  The Spitfire XIV can easily turn inside the FW 190. In the case of a right-hand turn, this difference is not so pronounced.

Rate of Roll:  The FW 190 is very much better.

Conclusions:  In defence, the Spitfire XIV should us its remarkable maximum climb and turning circle against enemy aircraft.  In the attack it can affort to 'mix it' but should beware of the quick roll and dive.
If this manoeuvre is used by a FW190 and the Spitfire XIV follows, it will probably not be able to close 
the range until the FW190 has pulled out of its dive.

Duxford Museum 2005
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. XIV

Fastest wartime version of the legendary British Second World War fighter.
 


 

Eines der wenigen noch im Einsatz befindlichen Modelle des berühmtesten britischen Kampfflugzeugs
 


 

One of the RAF's first monoplane fighters, the Supermarine Spitfire, began entering service in 1938. It used the new Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. The superbly aerodynamic shape of the Spitfire required precision manufacturing techniques, which were new in mass production.

This led to delays, but the aircraft, when it was produced, could match the previously invincible Messerschmitt Bf 109.
 


 

Working in partnership the Spitfire and Hurricane in the summer of 1940 defeated the Luftwaffe's attempt to gain air superiority in the Battle of Britain. Many factors contributed to this victory but the Spitfire came to symbolise the hope of eventual Nazi defeat.
 


 

As the RAF went over to the attack, Rolls-Royce developed the larger capacity Griffon engine which was fitted to the Spitfire XIV. High speed at high altitude due to the two-stage supercharger and five-blade propeller enabled Mk XlVs to intercept Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighters over Germany in 1944-45. Nine hundred and fifty-seven Spitfire XlVs were produced.
 


 

This Spitfire (MV268) was built at the Supermarine factory in Southampton and arrived at 33 Maintenance Unit in early January 1945. It served with 130, 401 and 412 Squadrons before crashing during a forced landing at Celle air force base in Germany on 4th March 1946.
 


 

Crew
One
 


 

Construction
All metal stressed-skin with fabric covered control surfaces.
 


 

Engine

One 2,050 hp Rolls-Royce Griffon 65 liquid cooled vee twelve with two-stage supercharger and intercooler
 


 

Armament

Two 20 mm cannon and four 0.303 in machine guns, or

Two 20 mm cannon and two 0.54 in machine guns,

1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs
 

 
 

Performance

Maximum speed      448 mph (717 kph)

Service ceiling       44,000 ft (13,415 m)

Combat Range        460 miles (736 km) on internal fuel

 

Wing span

32 ft 7 in (9.93 m)

Length

32 ft 8 in (9.96 m)

Height

12 ft 8 in (3.86 m)

 

Weight

 

Empty

b,9b4 1b (3,165 kg)

Maximum

8,500 1b (3,863 kg)