People keep mentioning the problems the SPitfire had with the wings bending and having to be replaced as proof of the weakness of the Spitfires wings. As I have said before this did happen but it happened in the last 12 months of the war when the Spit was being used as a dive bomber with 1,000lb payload. Details are in the C SHores books on the 2TAF.
This was fixed with some changes in tactics and the clipping of the wings.
I attach a paper that supports this view. If anyone believes that this was a common situation earlier in the war I invite them to provide similar evidence.
Please note that this happens with a full bomb load (1,000 lb) and the extra rear internal fuel tank. Obviously neither of these were around until late 1944
Last edited by Glider; 08-02-2012 at 05:32 PM.
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