Difference spit mk IX and mk XVI?

[MorgothNL]

hey guys!

I unlocked the spitfire mk XVI today... and I was wondering what the difference is between this one...and the mk IX..?

I really like flying the spit.. and for some reason I find the mk IX nicer to fly than the mk II.. but I cant figure out wich one of the other 2 I like most :confused:

The IX has 2 guns more.. but I dont really notice.. besides this.. what are the advantages of each mk? and disadvantages.. (tried wiki.. but doesnt have a lot of info on the mk XVI)

thnx for reading and hopefully helping :)

[David603]

The MkXVI is just a version of the MkIX using an American built Packard Merlin engine instead of the original Rolls Royce Merlin, so the straight line performance should be very similar.

The Spitfire IX in this game has an armament of 2 20mm cannon and 4 .303cal MGs, with the standard wings and canopy.

However, the version of the MkXVI used here has some features that were introduced to both the MkIX and the MkXVI later in their production runs, which are the bubble canopy for improved visibility and a revised and more effective armament of 2 20mm cannon and 2 .50cal machine guns. The MkXVI version in the game also has the optional clipped wingtips as fitted to many late war Spitfires which give it an improved roll rate but increase the turning circle.

[MorgothNL]

thank you very much for the good info and fast respondse!

you say the XVI has an increase in turning circle... is it really noticeable?

And do you have any idea if this official info you speak of.. is also valid in the game?

[David603]

Yeah, the turning circle increase is noticeable, but its not a huge difference and the XVI will still out turn most of the other late war fighters easily, and the roll rate increase is useful because the Spit IX's roll rate is quite poor compared to fast rolling planes like the Fw190 and Yak-3. My personal preference is for the standard wings, but its more because I like the way they look than because of any real advantage:)

I'm not sure if all the info is valid in game, because I don't know if the MkXVI has the cockpit it should have or whether it as the MkIX's cockpit, like the Yak-3 has the Yak-1's cockpit, which would mean you wouldn't get the improved visibility you should be getting from the bubble canopy, but apart from that the rest should be valid, because the flight models are very detailed and authentic.

[Lexandro]

Well in the video thats scrolls in the background the MkXVI has the bubble canopy.

[David603]

Well in the video thats scrolls in the background the MkXVI has the bubble canopy.
Yeah, I know it has the bubble canopy, but I think the interior of the cockpit is probably just taken from the MkIX, which doesn't have a bubble canopy. Its the same with the P51 borrowing the P47's cockpit, because if you look back when inside the P51 you will see a big armour plate that wouldn't be there if it was the proper cockpit.

[Mobius]

Yeah, I know it has the bubble canopy, but I think the interior of the cockpit is probably just taken from the MkIX, which doesn't have a bubble canopy. Its the same with the P51 borrowing the P47's cockpit, because if you look back when inside the P51 you will see a big armour plate that wouldn't be there if it was the proper cockpit.

I've got the MKXIV, and he has the propper cockpit, with nice view when you look back :)

[David603]

I've got the MKXIV, and he has the propper cockpit, with nice view when you look back :)
That's good to know:)

[Soviet Ace]

Are you sure? Because from the outside, the Yak-3 looks like it has an original canopy, but from the cockpit view, it doesn't?

[Lexandro]

Just got my Mk16 tonight after plugging away all week. The cockpit is the Mk9 version from the inside, you can tell because of the rear glass panel arch above the seat. I must say though there is something a bit fishy about it.

The games hanger says it only has two 7.7 MG's & two 20mm cannons but the plane feels like it packs a bigger punch compared to the other spits. Im not sold on the lost turn circle for increased roll rate yet. However it is a bit easier to keep on a 109's tail, so thats a plus.

[David603]

Just got my Mk16 tonight after plugging away all week. The cockpit is the Mk9 version from the inside, you can tell because of the rear glass panel arch above the seat. I must say though there is something a bit fishy about it.

The games hanger says it only has two 7.7 MG's & two 20mm cannons but the plane feels like it packs a bigger punch compared to the other spits. Im not sold on the lost turn circle for increased roll rate yet. However it is a bit easier to keep on a 109's tail, so thats a plus.
Should say 2 .50cal(13mm) MGs and 2 20mm cannon.

[Mobius]

Just got my Mk16 tonight after plugging away all week. The cockpit is the Mk9 version from the inside, you can tell because of the rear glass panel arch above the seat. I must say though there is something a bit fishy about it.

The games hanger says it only has two 7.7 MG's & two 20mm cannons but the plane feels like it packs a bigger punch compared to the other spits. Im not sold on the lost turn circle for increased roll rate yet. However it is a bit easier to keep on a 109's tail, so thats a plus.

I'm sorry but the MkXVI cockpit is not the same as the MkIX, it may not be perfect but it's definitly not the same as the MkIX... The rear view is really better.

[Robotic Pope]

Yeah, I know it has the bubble canopy, but I think the interior of the cockpit is probably just taken from the MkIX, which doesn't have a bubble canopy. Its the same with the P51 borrowing the P47's cockpit, because if you look back when inside the P51 you will see a big armour plate that wouldn't be there if it was the proper cockpit.

The P51D's cockpit in the game is a from the P47D which also had a bubble canopy so the view backwards is comparable. Also the P51D did have armour plateing behind the pilots head.

[Soviet Ace]

I just like the MkIX, and how it handles. The others don't seem to be much better or worse for that matter? Maybe it's just how their configured for the game, but I don't see much difference except between the speed and ability of the MkIX and MkII.

[QBlackDeathQ]

I consider myself a Spitfire cynosure or sorts and well I like the MK XVI. I find it a bit faster. And i know how to out turn anyother spit version. :grin: ask around

[Robotic Pope]

I consider myself a Spitfire cynosure or sorts and well I like the MK XVI. I find it a bit faster. And i know how to out turn anyother spit version. :grin: ask around

Well it should be slightly faster as the mkxvi in the game is obviously (bubble canopy) a much later built plane than mk ix in the game. This mk xvi would also have the packard version of the Merlin 66 engine, the mk ix only having the Merlin 61 with a couple of hundred less hp. With the XVI's clipped wings it should roll quicker than the IX at low altitude, but take the XVI higher up and the handling performance will drop.

[David603]

Well it should be slightly faster as the mkxvi in the game is obviously (bubble canopy) a much later built plane than mk ix in the game. This mk xvi would also have the packard version of the Merlin 66 engine, the mk ix only having the Merlin 61 with a couple of hundred less hp. With the XVI's clipped wings it should roll quicker than the IX at low altitude, but take the XVI higher up and the handling performance will drop.
Both the IX and XVI could have versions of the Merlin 66. MkIXs were built with the Merlin 61(later replaced by Merlin 63), 66 and 70 engines as F.MKIX, LF.MkIX and HF.MkIX respectively. The F.MkIX was the initial production version, and was the standard fighter model. Over time refinements were introduced, with a pointed rudder, bubble canopy, and the E wing armament (2x20mm+2x.50cal) being introduced, but not all at one time. The LF.MkIX had the Merlin 66, which was tuned to produce more power low down, at the expense of power high up, and was commonly fitted with clipped wingtips. The HF.MkIX was a high altitude version, with a Merlin 70 and often fitted with extended wingtips. Same refinements as per the basic F model were applied to these versions as these became available.

The MkXVI was produced with the Packard built equivalent of a Merlin 66 only, giving it the exact same performance as a LF.MkIX. Since they were introduced late in the MkIX's production life, most of the 1,000 odd Mk.XVI's produced had bubble canopies and the later E wing armament, and most were fitted with clipped wingtips to suit their role as a low altitude fighter.

In short, you could have a LF.MkIX with exactly the same features as the MkXVI in BoP, with clipped wings, bubble canopy and 2x20mm plus 2x.50cal armament or a MkXVI with standard wings, a high back and 2x20mm plus 4x.303cal armament which would look exactly like the MkIX we have in BoP.

[Robotic Pope]

Both the IX and XVI could have versions of the Merlin 66. MkIXs were built with the Merlin 61(later replaced by Merlin 63), 66 and 70 engines as F.MKIX, LF.MkIX and HF.MkIX respectively. The F.MkIX was the initial production version, and was the standard fighter model. Over time refinements were introduced, with a pointed rudder, bubble canopy, and the E wing armament (2x20mm+2x.50cal) being introduced, but not all at one time. The LF.MkIX had the Merlin 66, which was tuned to produce more power low down, at the expense of power high up, and was commonly fitted with clipped wingtips. The HF.MkIX was a high altitude version, with a Merlin 70 and often fitted with extended wingtips. Same refinements as per the basic F model were applied to these versions as these became available.

The MkXVI was produced with the Packard built equivalent of a Merlin 66 only, giving it the exact same performance as a LF.MkIX. Since they were introduced late in the MkIX's production life, most of the 1,000 odd Mk.XVI's produced had bubble canopies and the later E wing armament, and most were fitted with clipped wingtips to suit their role as a low altitude fighter.

In short, you could have a LF.MkIX with exactly the same features as the MkXVI in BoP, with clipped wings, bubble canopy and 2x20mm plus 2x.50cal armament or a MkXVI with standard wings, a high back and 2x20mm plus 4x.303cal armament which would look exactly like the MkIX we have in BoP.

Yes I know all that. What I am saying is the mk IX plane in the game is an early production mkIX not a late production mkIX, so it makes sense that the late production mkXVI in the game is faster.

[David603]

Yes I know all that. What I am saying is the mk IX plane in the game is an early production mkIX not a late production mkIX, so it makes sense that the late production mkXVI in the game is faster.
Well, not necessarily. The MkIX in the game isn't one of the very early production models, since it has a pointed rudder, but I can't remember if the Merlin 63 engine or the pointed rudder was introduced first.

Also, the MkIX in the game could be a LF.MkIX with the same engine power ratings as the MkXVI, because the Merlin 66 was introduced before production switched to the bubble canopy and E wing, but this is unlikely since most LF Spits had clipped wingtips.

[QBlackDeathQ]

Well it should be slightly faster as the mkxvi in the game is obviously (bubble canopy) a much later built plane than mk ix in the game. This mk xvi would also have the packard version of the Merlin 66 engine, the mk ix only having the Merlin 61 with a couple of hundred less hp. With the XVI's clipped wings it should roll quicker than the IX at low altitude, but take the XVI higher up and the handling performance will drop.

thats why i keep her low and tight on the deck :grin: are you on the ps3 version?

[Soviet Ace]

You guys make David talk to much :P