Supermarine Spiteful F.XVI - Ultimate Spiteful

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1
[Would you like to see the Spiteful F.XVI in-game?]
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Introduction
The Supermarine Spiteful was a further development of the Supermarine Spitfire. Designed to give the plane improved manouverability at higher speeds, and also make it significantly faster. While it never entered active service with the RAF, it did enter serial production and went on to be used as a testbed for early jet technologies. The aircraft is one of the very last piston fighters ever designed.
The Spiteful F.XVI was a futher development of the type, and the last to be developed. It holds the title of fastest British military propeller aircraft to-date at 795 km/h and 656 km/h at sea level.

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History

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Work on the Supermarine Spiteful began internally in Supermarine on 30 November 1942 with specification 470, this called for a spitfire with a laminar flow wing that would increase top speed and high speed manouverability.

The air ministry showed interest in the concept and issued specification F.1/43 in Feburary 1943 to further develop the concept.
The first prototype (NN660) was a Spitfire mk XIV fitted with the new wing, this prototype flew 30th June 1944 and later crashed.
During development it was discovered that that airframe suffered from instability and therefore needed larger fins, rudders and tailplane. This “Spiteful type tailplane” would go on to be used on the Spitfire mk22 and mk24.

The air ministry ordered 150 aircraft, and the first production Spiteful (RB515) flew in April 1945. But with the success of jet aircraft the order was eventually limited to just 2 more flying prototypes and 17 production aircraft.
One of these prototypes was the Spiteful F.XVI (RB518) which had the air intake moved to beneath the nose, and was first fitted with a Griffon 101 enigne, and later a Griffon 121 engine.

Although the type never entered operational service with the RAF it was used as a testbed for development of early jet technologies. In the end it was determined that the new type of wing would be suitable for a new jet aircraft, later named ‘Supermarine Attacker’

Images

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Spiteful F.XIV RB515 photographed by Charles E. Brown 27 july 1945

Spiteful F.XIV RB523 photographed in April 1946

Patrick Shea-Simonds at the controls of Spiteful RB515

Jeffrey Quill waits to take off in Spiteful RB522 at the display held at Farnborough between 27 and 30 June 1946

Specifications/armament

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General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 32ft 11in (10.03m)
  • Wingspan: 35ft (11m)
  • Height: 13ft 5in (4.09m)
  • Wing area: 210sq ft (20m^2)
  • Airfoil: Root: Supermarine 371-I; tip: Supermarine 371-II
  • Gross weight: 9,950lb (4,513kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Griffon 101, 2,420hp (1,805kW)
    • Later upgraded to 1 × Rolls-Royce Griffon 121, 2,420hp (1,805kW)
  • Propellers: 5-bladed constant-speed propeller (Rotol)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 494 mph (795 km/h) at 28,500 ft, 408 mph (656 km/h) at sea level
  • Cruise speed: 240 mph (390 km/h, 210 kn) at 255 mph (222 kn; 410 km/h)
  • Range: 564 mi (908 km, 490 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 42,000 ft (13,000 m)
  • Rate of climb: 4,890 ft/min (24.8 m/s) at 2,000 ft (610 m)

Armament

  • Guns: 4 × 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannon with 156 rpg
    • Rockets: 8–12 × 3 in (76 mm) 60 lb RP-3 or 4 × 300 lb (140 kg) rockets
  • Bombs: 2 × 1,000 lb (450 kg) bombs

Sources

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Engine:

13 Likes
2

A definite yes to one of the best and coolest super props.
PS, you listed gross weight twice.

2 Likes
3

Here comes the legendary Spiteful with a 3-speed Griffon engine!

Not as good as those lightweight P-51s regarding its performance but the RB518 can defo be an interesting vehicle for the British tech tree.

4

If I may ask, what is the gross weight for the P-51H?

5

Sure, this site may contain the information you need:
http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/mustang/F-51H_Mustang_SAC_-_22_March_1949.pdf

6

+1

7

With great pedigrees, Spiteful and Seafang are a must-have addition to Britain’s forces.

8

So for some reason I haven’t commented on how much I bloody want this thing.

A Giant, Humungous and maybe even Spiteful (US Superprops) +1 from me.

This would eliminate the draggy radiators and lower speed of later spitfires and it is the fastest prop aircraft ever.

This one isn’t a want, its an absolute NEED for the tree.

3 Likes
9

In folder with Spitfire F Mk 22 & Mk 24 like Spiteful F.XIV

The new king fighter prop +1

2 Likes
10

This and the XP-72 for the US are must haves

1 Like
11

+1 the Spiteful series should have been added a long time ago.

1 Like