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Britain's Supermarine Spitfire Mk XII fighter bomber1
Design
There was a need for a fighter that could combat the hit and run raids of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 that were hitting England's south coast.1 This lead to the installation of the Rolls-Royce Griffon engine.1
Early models were based on the Spitfire Mk V airframe with a fixed tail wheel.1 Later models were based on the Mk VIII with a retractable tail wheel.1
Engine
The fitting of the Rolls-Royce Griffon engine required that the engine cowling design be changed.1
Wings
The wings were the clipped 'Cs'.1
Tail
The tail rudder was pointed.1
Prototype
The prototype first flew on August 24, 1942.1
Usage
Britain used the Spitfire Mk XIIs.1
The Spitfire Mk XIIs entered service in February 1943.1 Only two Squadrons were equipped with the Mk XIIs.1
Successful Mission
In May 1943 the 91 Squadron was able to shoot down five Focke-Wulf 190s in a single day.1
Other Duties
The two Squadrons also flew shipping shipping reconnaissance and fighter sweeps missions.1
| Supermarine Spitfire Mk XII1 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Fighter bomber1 |
| Crew | 11 |
| Engine (Type) | Rolls-Royce Griffon III1 |
| OR | Rolls-Royce Griffon IV1 |
| Cylinders | V 121 |
| Cooling | |
| HP | 1,7351 |
| Propeller blades | 41 |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 32' 7"1 9.93 m1 |
| Length | 31' 10"1 9.7 m1 |
| Height | 11'1 3.35 m1 |
| Wing area | |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 5,600 lb1 2,540 kg1 |
| Loaded | 7,400 lb1 3,357 kg1 |
| Performance | |
| Speed @ 5,500' / 1,676 m |
372 mph1 598 kph1 |
| Speed @ 18,000' / 5,486 m |
393 mph1 632 kph1 |
| Cruising speed | 263 mph1 423 kph1 |
| Climb | 3,800'/minute1 1,158 m/minute1 |
| Climb to 20,000' / 6,096 m |
6.7 minutes1 |
| Service ceiling | 40,000'1 12,192 m1 |
| Range | 329 miles1 529 km1 |
| Range with drop tanks | 493 miles1 793 km1 |
| Armament | |
| Wings | 2: 20 mm1 4: 0.303" MG1 |
| Bombs | 1: 500 lb1 1: 227 kg1 |
| OR | 2: 250 lb1 2: 113 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
