Mk. XIVE
Vickers Supermarine
SPITFIRE
Mk XIV
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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
Construction
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
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