Spitfire why so popular??

[David603]

Originally Posted by Soviet Ace

David likes to talk about the Spitfire MkXIV being the best, but really the MkIX was the best. It still had the Merlin engine, and even though slower, was a good opponent against 109F and G's. Even some of the 190s were outclassed in some ways by it. The Griffon was a good engine, but it just lacked the feel that the Spitfire had.

Guilty as charged about liking to talk about Spitfires , and you've gone and given me another chance to talk about them

The Spitfire IX is quicker than a Bf109F, and any model of G up to the G6-late/G10/G14. So really at the least, it is a better fighter than the F's and early-mid G's because it is more agile and faster than they are. It also handles better all round, especially at high speed.

The XIV isn't quite as agile as the IX, but still easily out turns any Bf109 apart from the F (still slight advantage for the XIV). Its high speed handling is much better than any Bf109, and the top speed, climb and acceleration are at the very least equal to even the Bf109K. So you have a plane that has one of the best top speeds around, has a climb rate and acceleration second to none and is still has agility well above average for a late war fighter. Its pretty much the ultimate WWII energy fighter. It can outmanoeuvre by a considerable margin anything faster, of which there are only 2 maybe 3 prop engined fighters, it can outclimb any prop engined fighter of WWII, and its still agile enough to out turn the majority of mid-late war fighters.

[Dar-Kaus]

According to RAF pilots during the Battle of Britain, the general consensus was that although most pilots preferred to fly the Spitfire, everyone agreed that the Hurricane was a better weapons platform.

[FOZ_1983]

hurricane is an amazing plane, it was also the most versatile aircraft of the war and served in every theatre!! continued bbeing built until the end of the war also. A certain role needed doing...the hurri did it. An amazing bird.

The hurricane was also used by finland, before the decided to ally with germany, and went up against the red army. No hurricane on hurricane action that i know of though.

[juz1]

Originally Posted by skullblits

Ive seen a few history shows about the spitfire's, They didnt build as many as they did hurricanes, and the designs 4 the spitfire's, were Rejected a few times.

I know this isnt alot to go by, But in Flight Sims I found it very hard to controll, But the hurricane was easy. Just wondering why the spitfire get's all the credit

just the romance of its design. its racing heritage, and it was the pinnacle of design in the Battle of Britain. Its sweeping curves contrasted with the ruthless efficiency of the 109...

The Hurricane was the ugly sister...as it happened the Hurricane had a much quicker turn around repair-wise and was quicker to mend by a factor of 10! So after a few nails and 2by4by2by4bee it was back up kraut plugging when Spitz were still at the metal-shop.
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Magic flight launch box

[PF_Lizard]

Originally Posted by skullblits

Spitfire why so popular??

Cos Hurricanes is sh*t innit!

[haitch40]

Originally Posted by PF_Lizard

Cos Hurricanes is sh*t innit!

some1 should sticky that thread

[mondo]

Originally Posted by skullblits

Ive seen a few history shows about the spitfire's, They didnt build as many as they did hurricanes, and the designs 4 the spitfire's, were Rejected a few times.

I know this isnt alot to go by, But in Flight Sims I found it very hard to controll, But the hurricane was easy. Just wondering why the spitfire get's all the credit

Its because the Hurricane was phased out to secondary roles due to its older design quite early on while the Spit was further improved. Allot more Spits were built than Hurricanes. A simple trip to Wikipedia will answer your questions and give you some more accurate facts

Originally Posted by Soviet Ace

David likes to talk about the Spitfire MkXIV being the best, but really the MkIX was the best. It still had the Merlin engine, and even though slower, was a good opponent against 109F and G's. Even some of the 190s were outclassed in some ways by it. The Griffon was a good engine, but it just lacked the feel that the Spitfire had.

Thats odd as Geoffrey Quill and Eric Brown both agreed that the Mk XII was the nicest of all Spits to fly