Warbirds: The Supermarine Spitfire

Homepage | Warbirds |

Spitfire Variants:
Spitfire I: Original production model with 1,030-hp Merlin II engine, 8 Browning 0.303-in guns (Mk IB had 2 20-mm cannons and 4 0.303-in machine guns), Total aircraft 1,566.
Spitfire II: Castle Bromwich aircraft with small changes and 1,175-hp Merlin XII engine, Total aircraft 750 IIA and 170 IIB.
Spitfire III: Experimental prototype with 1,280-hp Merlin XX engine, Total aircraft 1.
Spitfire IV: Griffon engined prototype
Spitfire V: Strengthened fuselage for 1,440-hp Merlin 45 or 1,470-hp Merlin 50, drop tank and bomb provisions, A (8 machine guns), B (2 cannon & 4 machine guns), or C (4 cannons) armament, Total aircraft 94 VA, 3,923 VB, and 2,447 VC.
Spitfire VI: High altitude intercepter with 1,415-hp Merlin 47, pressurized cockpit and pointed wings, Total aircraft 100.
Spitfire VII: High altitude intercepter with 2 stage Merlin 61, 64 or 71, pressurized cockpit, retractable tailwheel, often broad pointed rudder, Total aircraft 140.
Spitfire VIII: Definitive fighter with 2 stage Merlin 61, 63, 66, or 70, unpressurized, Total aircraft 1,658.
Spitfire IX: Temporary stop-gap, marriage of 2 stage Merlin 61, 63, 66, or 70 with Mk.V airframe, B, C, or E (2 cannons & 2 0.5-in machine guns) armament, Total aircraft 5,665.
Spitfire X: Pressurized version of PR.XI, Merlin 77, Total aircraft 16.
Spitfire XI: Unarmed reconnaissance aircraft, Merlin 61, 63, or 70, Total aircraft 471.
Spitfire XII: Low level intercepter, single stage Griffon II or IV of 1,735-hp, B armament, Total aircraft 100.
Spitfire XIII: Low level PR aircraft based on Mk.V but with Merlin 32 (3 blade prop), Four 0.303-in machine guns only, Total aircraft 18.
Spitfire XIV: 2 stage Griffon 65 or 66 of 2.050-hp driving 5 blade propeller and redesigned & strengthened airframe with symmetric deep radiators, broad tail, and often teardrop canopy, C or E armament, Total aircraft 957.
Spitfire XVI: Mk.IX with Packard Merlin 266, usually C or E armament, many with teardrop canopy, Total aircraft 1,054.
Spitfire XVIII: Definitive fighter with 2 stage Griffon, E armament, teardrop canopy, extra wing fuel, FR.XVIII (postwar FR.18) with rear fuselage reconnaissance camera, Total aircraft 300.
Spitfire XIX: Unarmed PR version, 2 stage Griffon, most pressurized, Total aircraft 225.
Spitfire XX: Prototype rebuilt from Mk.IV and prototype Mk.XII, Total aircraft 225.
Spitfire 21: Redesigned airframe, mainly Griffon 61 or 64 driving five bladed propeller, Four 20-mm guns, Total aircraft 122.
Spitfire 22: Minor changes, some with 2,375-hp Griffon 85, and contraprop Total aircraft 278.
Spitfire 24: Minor changes, Spiteful tail, short barrel Mk.V cannon, Total aircraft 54.


Seafire IB: Navalized Spitfire VB Total aircraft 166.
Seafire IIC: Catapult hooks and strengthened landing gear, Merlin 32 engine driving four blade propeller, Total aircraft 372.
Seafire III: Double folding wing, 1,585-hp Merlin 55M engine, Total aircraft 1,220.
Seafire XV: Single stage 1,850-hp Griffon VI and asymmetric radiators as Spitfire XII, Most with sting hook, Late production teardrop canopy, Total aircraft 390.
Seafire XVII or 17: As Seafire XV with teardrop canopy, often strengthened landing gear, Some (FR.17) with camera in place of rear tank, Total aircraft 232.
Seafire 45: Same new airframe as Spitfire 21, Non folding wing, Griffon 61 (5 blade prop), or 85 (contraprop), Total aircraft 50.
Seafire 46: As Seafire 45, teardrop canopy, FR.46 with rear fuselage camera, Late production Spiteful tail, Total aircraft 24.
Seafire 47: Folding wing (most hydraulic), 2,375-hp Griffon 87 or 88 with contraprop and carburettor air inlet just below spinner, Increased fuel, Late production all FR type with camera, Total aircraft 140.