Supermarine Spitfire. Photo. Characteristics.
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Supermarine Spitfire. Photo. Characteristics.

Supermarine Spitfire. Photo. Characteristics.

 

United Kingdom

A type: single-engine fighter

Crew: One pilot

The only fighter UK, remained in production throughout the Second World War - was built just 22 500 24 aircraft modifications. Feats of aircraft "Spitfire» (Spitfire - hot-tempered) of "Vikkers- Supermarine» (Vickers-Supermarine) became legends.

The aircraft was designed by Reginald Jay Mitchell, who used his experience in creating Supermarine floatplanes, which won the RAF competition for the Schneider prize in 1920 and 1930. Prototype "Spitfire" K5054, equipped with the engine "Merlin" (Merlin - Krechet) I company "Rolls-Royce, first climbed into the sky 5 March 1936. Nevertheless, because of the production problems that arose in connection with the introduction of the revolutionary design of a fighter with a working skirting, it took another two and a half years for the first production aircraft Spitfire I to go into operation. Over the nine years of its production, the appearance of the Spitfire aircraft has changed slightly, but if you look under the shell, you can find a completely different design. The power of the Merlin engines gradually increased, which allowed the fighter to compete on an equal footing with the new types of German aircraft. Initially, this led to the creation of a workhorse, the Mk V aircraft, and then the superb Mk IX aircraft, which was not inferior to the Bf 109F / G and Fw 190 at almost all altitudes.

The plane "Spitfire" performed a flawless job in the roles and fotorazvedchika istrebitelya- bomber. In fact, in the last year of the war it became clear that it is more advantageous to use as a ground attack ground targets than as a fighter. Today, the aircraft "Spitfire" is a symbol of military victories of the Royal Air Force, and a growing number of instances of the flying aircraft around the world ensures that his fame will last into the next century.

Basic data

dimensions (All data modifications to Mk IX):

  • Length: 9,47 m
  • Wingspan: 11,23 m
  • Height: 3,86 m

 

The weight:

  • BLANK: 2556 kg
  • Maximum take-off: 4309 kg 

 

Aircraft performance characteristics:

  • Maximum speed: 657 km / h
  • Range: 1577 km with fuel in the tanks suspended

 

Power point: the company "Rolls Royce", "Merlin» II / III to the Mk IA, «Merlin" the XII to the Mk IIA, «Merlin» 45 / 46 / 50 / 50A / 55 / 56 on Mk VB / VC and "Merlin» 61 / 63 / 66 / 70 on the Mk VIII, Mk IX, PR XI and Mk XVI

Power: 1000 from l. from. (746 kW) from "Merlin» II to 1710 l. from. (1275,66 kW) from "Merlin» 63

Date of first flight:

  • 5 March 1936 year

 

The surviving airworthy modifications:

  • Mk IA, Mk IIA, Mk VB / C, Mk VIII, Mk IX, pr XI and Mk XVI

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