Click on Picture to enlarge

+ Larger Font | - Smaller Font

 

 

There were in excess of fifty different variants of the Spitfire and the table below gives details of the Mark, the engines and any other changes. For more detailed information on the upgrades and changes made to each variant see the Spitfire Variant page.

 

Spitfires

Mark	Engine	Other Specifications
Mk IA	1030 hp R.R. Merlin II	8 x .303 machine guns
Mk IB	1030 hp R.R. Merlin III	Armed initially with 2 x 20mm cannon only, 4 machine guns added later.
Mk IIA	1175 hp R.R. Merlin XII	Produced at Castle Bromwich
Mk IIA (Long Range)	1175 hp R.R. Merlin XII	Fitted with 30 gallon fuel tank under port wing.
Mk IIB	1175 hp R.R. Merlin XII	New "B" wing
Mk IIC	1175 hp R.R. Merlin XII	Later designated ASR II (Air Sea Rescue)
Mk VA	1470 hp R.R. Merlin XLV	8 x machine guns.
F. Mk VB	1470 hp R.R. Merlin 45 1415 hp R.R. Merlin 46	Fitted with "B" wing Engine with higher rated altitude
L.F. Mk VB	1585 hp R.R. Merlin 45M	Lower altitude rated engine.
F. Mk VC	1470 hp R.R. Merlin 45, 50, 55, 56.	"C" universal wing.
L.F. Mk VC	1585 hp R.R. Merlin 45M, 50M, 55M	Lower altitude rating.
Mk VI	1415 hp R.R. Merlin 47	Pressurised cabin (PC)
Mk VII	1710 hp R.R. Merlin 64 - 1565 hp R.R. Merlin 61.	PC + 2 speed, 2 stage engine
F. Mk VIII	1565 hp R.R. Merlin 61 - 1650 hp R.R. Merlin 63 - 1710 hp R.R. Merlin 63A
L.F. Mk VIII	1580 hp R.R. Merlin 66
H.F. Mk VIII	1475 hp R.R. Merlin 70
F. Mk IXC	1565 hp R.R. Merlin 61 - 1650 hp R.R. Merlin 63 - 1710 hp R.R. Merlin 63A
L.F. Mk IXC	1580 hp R.R. Merlin 66
H.F. Mk IX	1475 hp R.R. Merlin 70
F. Mk IXE	1565 hp R.R. Merlin 61 - 1650 hp R.R. Merlin 63 - 1710 hp R.R. Merlin 63A	"B" Wing - 2 x 20mm machine guns + 2 x 0.5 inch machine guns
L.F. Mk IXE	1580 hp R.R. Merlin 66
H.F. Mk IXE	1475 hp R.R. Merlin 70
Mk XII	1735 hp R.R. Griffon III & IV
Mk XIVC	2035 hp R.R. Griffon 65	"C" Wing
F. Mk XIVC	2035 hp R.R. Griffon 65	"E" Wing
F.R. Mk XIVE	2035 hp R.R. Griffon 65	Rear view fuselage with oblique camera mounted in rear.
L.F. Mk XVI	1580 hp Packard R.R. Merlin 266	"C" Wing
L.F. Mk XVIE	1580 hp Packard R.R. Merlin 266	"E" Wing
Mk 21	2035 hp R.R. Griffon 61

 

Photo Reconnaissance Spitfires

Type A	1030 hp R.R. Merlin III
Type B	1030 hp R.R. Merlin III	30 gallons extra fuel tank in fuselage behind pilot.
Type C	1030 hp R.R. Merlin III	As "B" but with 30 gallon tank under port wing
Type D	1030 hp R.R. Merlin III	Special Long range with leading edge wing tank + 30 gallon fuselage tank
Type E	1030 hp Merlin III	Only one ever produced and details of changes are unknown.
Type F (PR Mk VI)	1030 hp R.R. Merlin III 1470 hp R.R. Merlin 45	As "B" but with additional 30 gallon tanks under each wing.
Type G (PR Mk VII)	1030 hp R.R. Merlin III 1470 hp R.R. Merlin 45	Armed low level photo reconnaissance aircraft.
PR Mk IX	1470 hp R.R. Merlin 45 - 1415 hp R.R. Merlin 46
PR Mk X	1475 hp R.R. Merlin 77	PC with 2 stage, 2 speed engine
PR Mk XI	1565 hp R.R. Merlin 61 - 1650 hp R.R. Merlin 63 - 1710 hp R.R. Merlin 63A - 1475 hp R.R. Merlin 70
PR Mk XIII	1645 hp R.R. Merlin 32	Armed low level photo reconnaissance aircraft.
PR Mk XIX	2035 hp R.R. Griffon 65, 66	All except first 22 with PC
F. Mk VI (PR)	1415 hp R.R. Merlin 47	Special conversion of six Mk VI fighters sent to the Middle East in 1942 for PR work.

 

Seafires

Mk IB	1470 hp R.R. Merlin 45 & 1470 hp R.R. Merlin 46	Produced by conversion from Spitfire VB
Mk IIC	1470 hp R.R. Merlin 45 & 50A & 1415 hp R.R. Merlin 46	"C" Wing
Mk L.IIC	1645 hp R.R. Merlin 32
Mk L.R. IIC	1645 hp R.R. Merlin 32	F.R. version of  Mk L.IIC
Mk L.IIC (Hybrid)	1585 hp R.R. Merlin 55M	Conversion of 26 basic Mk III by Westlands with fixed "C" wing
Mk F.III	1470 hp R.R. Merlin 55	Folding "C" wing
Mk L.III	1585 hp R.R. Merlin 55M
Mk F.R. III	1585 hp R.R. Merlin 55M
Mk XV	1815 hp R.R. Griffon VI
Mk F. XVII	1815 hp R.R. Griffon VI
Mk F.R. XVII	1815 hp R.R. Griffon VI
Mk F. 47	2145 hp R.R. Griffon 87 - 2350 hp R.R. Griffon 88
Mk F.R. 47	2145 hp R.R. Griffon 87 - 2350 hp R.R. Griffon 88

 

Spitfire Variants

This page gives more information on the variants starting with the basic Mark I and finishing with the Seafire 47.

Click on Picture to enlarge

Graphic representation of some of the Variants

Spitfire IA & IB	Original production model with 1,030hp Merlin II, eight browning 0.303 in. machine guns (initially only four fitted because of short supply) or Mk IB two 20mm and four .303 machine guns.
Spitfire II	Castle Bromwich aircraft with small minor changes and 1,175hp Merlin XII engine.
Spitfire III	Experimental prototype (one only) with 1,280hp Merlin XX engine.
Spitfire IV	Griffon prototype - same mark number used for 229 PR versions of Mark V.
Spitfire V	Strengthened fuselage for 1,440hp Merlin 45 or 1,470 Merlin 50, drop tank and bomb provisions. F or LF span with A, B or C armament.
Spitfire VI	High altitude interceptor with 1,415hp Merlin 47, pressurised cockpit and HF 40ft 2in pointed wings.
Spitfire VII	High altitude interceptor with two stage Merlin 61, 64 or 71 engine, pressurised cockpit, retractable tailwheel, often with broad pointed rudder.
Spitfire VIII	Two stage Merlin 61, 63, 66 or 70 engine, unpressurised, LF, F or HF wings.
Spitfire IX	Temporary stop gap marriage of uprated two stage engine, Merlin 61, 63, 66 or 70 with the Mk V airframe. LF F or HF wings, B, C or E armament.
Spitfire X	Pressurised version of PR-XI with Merlin 77 - one example with HF wing.
Spitfire XI	Unarmed reconnaissance aircraft with Merlin 61, 63 or 70.
Spitfire XII	Low level interceptor with single stage Griffon II or IV rated at 1,735hp, LF wing and B guns.
Spitfire XIII	Low level PR aircraft based on Mk V but with Merlin 32 (three blade propeller of DH type - unlike other late Spitfires) Four .303 in guns.
Spitfire XIV	Two stage Griffon 65 or 66, 2,050hp with five blade propeller and redesigned and strengthened airframe with symmetric deep radiators, broad tail and often teardrop canopy, F or LF span with C or E armament.
Spitfire XVI	Basic Mk IX with Packard Merlin 266, F or LF span usually fitted with C or E armament and many fitted with teardrop canopy.
Spitfire XVIII	Definitive fighter with two stage Griffon, F span, E guns, teardrop canopy and extra wing fuel. FR XVIII with rear fuselage reconnaissance camera (post war FR18)
Spitfire XIX	Unarmed PR version, two stage Griffon and mostly pressurised.
Spitfire XX	Single prototype rebuilt from MkIV and prototype MKVII
Spitfire 21	Redesigned airframe, mainly Griffon 61 or 64 with five blade propeller, 4 20mm guns.
Spitfire 22	Minor changes some with 2,375hp Griffon 85 and contra-propeller.
Spitfire 24	Minor changes, Spiteful tail and short barrel MkV cannon.
Seafire IB	Navalised Spitfire Vb
Seafire IIC	Catapult hooks and strengthened landing gear, Merlin 32 and four blade propeller.
Seafire III	Double folding wing, Merlin 55M 1,585hp.
Seafire XV	Single stage 1,850hp Griffon VI and asymmetric radiators as Spitfire XII, most with sting hooks and later versions with production teardrop canopy.
Seafire XVII	As Seafire XV with teardrop canopy, often strengthened landing gear, some (FR17) with camera in place of rear tank.
Seafire 45	Same airframe as Spitfire 21, non folding wings, Griffon 61 (Five blade) or Griffon 85 (contraprop)
Seafire 46	As Seafire 45 with teardrop canopy, FR46 with rear fuselage camera and late production Spiteful tail.
Seafire 47	Folding wing, mostly hydraulic, 2,375hp Griffon 87 or 88 with contraprop and carburetor air inlet just below spinner, increased fuel capacity, all late production FR type with camera.

 

Performance Data

The Spitfire was subject to continual development throughout the period 1939 - 1945 during which time the improvement in performance was clearly remarkable.

The following table gives some idea of the performance capabilities of all the major variants although it should be remembered that individual aircraft often exceeded, or indeed fell short of the official figures.

Mark	Max. Speed	Climb Rate	Range	Ceiling
I	355 mph at 19,000 ft.	6.2 mins to 15,000 ft.	395 miles	34,000 ft.
V	374 mph at 13,000 ft.	7.5 mins to 20,000 ft.	1,135 miles	37,000 ft.
VII	408 mph at 25,000 ft.	7.1 mins to 20,000 ft.	1,180 miles	43,000 ft.
VIII	408 mph at 25,000 ft.	7 mins to 20,000 ft.	1,180 miles	44,000 ft.
IX	408 mph at 25,000 ft.	6.7 mins to 20,000 ft.	980 miles	44,000 ft
X	416 mph at 27,000 ft.	5 mins to 20,000 ft.	1,360 miles	44,000 ft.
XI	422 mph at 27,500 ft.	5 mins to 20,000 ft.	2,000 miles	44,000 ft.
XII	393 mph at 18,000 ft.	6.7 mins to 20,000 ft.	493 miles	40,000 ft.
XIV	448 mph at 26,000 ft.	7 mins to 20,000 ft.	850 miles	44,500 ft.
XVIII	442 mph at 25,000 ft.	7 mins to 20,000 ft.	850 miles	41,000 ft.
XIX	446 mph at 26,000 ft.	15.5 mins to 35,000 ft	1,550 miles	42,000 ft.
F.21	454 mph at 26,000 ft.	8 mins to 20,000 ft.	880 miles	43,500 ft.
F.24	450 mph at 19,000 ft.	5 mins to 20,000 ft.	965 miles	43,000 ft.
Seafire.I	365 mph at 16,000 ft.	7.6 mins to 20,000 ft.	770 miles	36,400 ft.
Seafire III	352 mph at 12,250 ft.	8.1 mins to 20,000 ft.	725 miles	34,000 ft.
Seafire 47	451 mph at 20,000 ft	4.8 mins to 20,000 ft.	1,475 miles	43,000 ft.

 

Technical Data

The Supermarine Spitfire was subject to a number of marks and variants and for comparison purposes the summary technical data given below relating to the first and last versions reveals the substantial developments in the aircraft over a period of approximately six years - 1939 to 1945

Specification	Spitfire I	Seafire 47
Normal weight	5,280 lb.	10,300 lb.
Weight overload	---	12,500lb
Wing area	242 sq. ft.	244 sq. ft.
Maximum horsepower	1050	2350
Power plant weight	2020 lb.	3650 lb.
Maximum speed	355 mph	451 mph
Maximum rate of climb	2,500 ft. per minute	4,800 ft. per minute
Time to 20,000 ft.	9.4 minutes	4.8 minutes
Fuel capacity (internal)	85 gallons	154 gallons
Maximum range	395 miles	1,475 miles
Rate of roll at 400 mph	14 degrees per second	68 degrees per second
Maximum diving speed	450 mph	500 mph

 

Numbers and Arms

 Total production of Spitfires and Seafires amounted to 22,789 and a breakdown of this figure into the various marks is given below.

For those that add up the individual numbers you will find that the total is 22,934 although it should be remembered that many variants were actually aircraft converted from previous marks.

In terms of armament there were four basic variations which are given below although again it is possible that conversions were made to individual aircraft - a notable example being the personal aircraft of Douglas Bader who did not trust the performance and reliability of the 20mm cannon and his aircraft was therefore fitted solely with machine guns.

Variant A -    8 x .303 inch machine guns

Variant B -    4 x .303 inch machine guns + 2 x 20mm cannon

Variant C -    4 x 20mm cannon + 500Ib bomb load

Variant E -    2 x .5 inch machine guns + 2 x 20mm cannon + 1000Ib bomb load

Mark	Number Produced	Armament type
Spitfires	20,340
I	}	Variant A
IB	} 1,566	Variant B
IIA	750	Variant B
IIB	170	Variant B
III	1	Experimental - not known
IV	1	Griffon Prototype - not known
VA	94	Variant A
VB	3,923	Variant B
VC	2,447	Variant C
VPR	229	Variant C
VI	100	Variant C
VII	140	Variant C
VIII	1,658	Variant C
IX	5,665	Variant B, C or E
X	16	Variant B, C or E
XI	471	Un-armed Photo Reconnaissance version
XII	100	Variant B
XIII	18	4 x .303 machine guns only
XIV	957	Variant C or E
XVI	1,054	Variant C or E
XVIII	300	Variant E
XIX	225	Un-armed Photo Reconnaissance version
XX	1	Prototype - not known
21	122	Variant C
22	278	Variant C or E
24	54	Variant C - with rocket launchers
Seafires	2,594
IB	166	Variant B
IIC	372	Variant B + Capacity for underwing bombs
III	1,220	Variant B (First folding wing)
XV	390	Variant B + 500lb bomb capacity
XVII	232	Variant C
45	50	Variant C
46	24	Variant C
47	140	Variant C

 

 

USE YOUR BROWSER "BACK" BUTTON TO RETURN TO PERVIOUS PAGE