Difference between revisions of "Spitfire FR Mk XIVe (France)"

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(→‎Flight performance: Updated as per British FR Mk XIVe)
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 +
{{About
 +
| about = fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = other versions
 +
| link = Spitfire (Family)
 +
}}
 
{{Specs-Card
 
{{Specs-Card
 
|code=spitfire_fr_mk14e_belgium
 
|code=spitfire_fr_mk14e_belgium
−
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
+
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
−
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} French fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Seek & Destroy"]].
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} French fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Seek & Destroy"]]. After WWII, Belgium's air force was able to be rebuilt, with Spitfires being selected to fill the role of general fighter. This aircraft's camouflage is of Spitfire FR Mk XIVe 'SG108' of the Belgian Air Force.
  
 
The Spitfire FR Mk. XIVe was a purpose-built low-altitude Reconnaissance airframe. This plane is an example of the 1945 "e" equipped with a clipped "e" type wing, allowing it to mount the respectable armament of 2 cannons and two .50 calibre machine guns. It has a camera for reconnaissance and the "bubble" canopy. The short wing tips vastly increase the roll rate of the aircraft but sacrifice some horizontal and vertical manoeuvrability. The powerful Griffon Mk.65 allowed it to climb better than the majority of enemy fighters at nearly all attitudes; however, the performance drop at altitudes compared to full winged XIVe's is noticeable.
 
The Spitfire FR Mk. XIVe was a purpose-built low-altitude Reconnaissance airframe. This plane is an example of the 1945 "e" equipped with a clipped "e" type wing, allowing it to mount the respectable armament of 2 cannons and two .50 calibre machine guns. It has a camera for reconnaissance and the "bubble" canopy. The short wing tips vastly increase the roll rate of the aircraft but sacrifice some horizontal and vertical manoeuvrability. The powerful Griffon Mk.65 allowed it to climb better than the majority of enemy fighters at nearly all attitudes; however, the performance drop at altitudes compared to full winged XIVe's is noticeable.
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! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
 
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
 
|-
 
|-
−
| _ || _ || _ || _ || _     <!-- ✓ -->
+
| X || X || ✓ || X || X     <!-- ✓ -->
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 
|-
 
|-
−
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || ___ || ___ || ___ || ~__ || ~__
+
| 794<!--{{Specs|destruction|body}}--> || 260<!--{{Specs|destruction|gear}}--> || N/A || N/A || 260 || ~10 || ~6
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
 
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
 
|-
 
|-
−
| < ___ || < ___ || < ___ || > ___
+
| < 321 || < 400 || < 350 || > 500
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}
 
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}
 
<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' -->
−
''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''
+
 
 +
* 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen
 +
* 4 mm Steel plates in pilot's seat
 +
* 7 mm Steel plate behind the pilot
 +
* 12.7 mm Steel plate between the fuselage fuel tank and oil cooling system
 +
* 6 mm Steel plate in front of liquid cooling system
 +
* 3 mm Steel boxes around wing ammunition
  
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
Line 109: Line 120:
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
 +
 +
* Clipped wings increases the roll rate.
 +
* Has a strong rate of climb.
 +
* Upgrade from 7.7mm machine guns to .50 cals for efficient firepower.
 +
* Good turning capabilities.
  
 
*
 
*
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
 +
 +
* Due to the clipped wings, it's Maneuvering energy retention (MER) is poor.
 +
* No wide range of flaps: only "landing".
 +
* Fuel consumption is higher than other fighters at it's BR while using WEP.
  
 
*
 
*
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
+
Following the end of World War II, like many formerly occupied European countries, Belgium started rebuilding its Air Force and turned towards the British government who agreed to supply aircraft.  The original plans called for the establishment of two day-fighter wings, "A-Wing" and "B-Wing", each of which would consist of two squadrons, each numbering 16 aircraft.
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''
+
 
 +
As part of the reconstruction of the Belgian Air Force, two fully Belgian-manned squadrons of the Royal Air Force, nos. 349 and 350 Squadron, were transferred from British to Belgian command on October 15th 1946.  Under RAF command, 349 Squadron had been standardised on the Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe variant, while 350 Squadron flew a mix of both the Mk.XIV and LF Mk.XVIe.  However, while the RAF was prepared to hand over both squadrons to Belgium, one condition was the return of the Mk.XVI Spitfires.  To replace these, the Belgian Government placed an order for 100 Griffon-engined Spitfire Mk.XIVs, all of which would receive a Belgian serial with an SG-prefix (Spitfire-Griffon; serving alongside Merlin-engined Spitfires with an SM-prefix standing for Spitfire-Merlin).
 +
 
 +
Deliveries of the original order for Spitfire Mk.XIVs started in April of 1947 and ran until July of 1949, with aircraft from Royal Air Force stocks being overhauled in the UK before being delivered to Belgium.  The aircraft delivered were a mixed bag: some were Mk.XIVs with the classic Malcolm Hood while others had the low-cut fuselage and bubble canopy; and a handful were FR.XIVs with provisions for reconnaissance cameras in their rear fuselage. As deliveries progressed, the aircraft were initially delivered to 349 and 350 Squadron which had been organised into the 1st Wing at Beauvechain Air Base, where they replaced the Spitfire LF.XVIe, with additional aircraft being used to establish the 2nd Wing at Florennes Air Base from early 1948 onwards.  Two aircraft (RM769, June 19th 1947; and MV360, March 9th 1949) were written off in accidents during test or delivery flights, while a third (MV256/SG-39) was refused on delivery by the Belgian Air Force due to corrosion damage in the cockpit; as a result two additional Spitfires were delivered as replacements. In addition, three non-airworthy Spitfires (NH694, RM712 and RM862) were delivered as instructional airframes to train ground crew.
 +
 
 +
The delivery of a considerably higher number of Spitfires than originally envisaged (the original plans called for 4 squadrons for a total of 64 Spitfires) allowed for the establishment of two extra Belgian Spitfire units: the 1st Wing at Beauvechain saw the establishment of an "Auxiliary Squadron"; while the 2nd Wing at Florennes saw the establishment of its 3rd Squadron in addition to the already existing 1st and 2nd squadron.  On top of that, a number of Mk.XIVs were attached to the Day Fighter School at the Koksijde Air Base, an operational conversion unit which had already been established on the Spitfire Mk.IX.
 +
 
 +
In April of 1949, the 1st Wing at Beauvechain started receiving the Gloster Meteor F.4, with 349 and 350 Squadron converting to the new jet while its Auxiliary Squadron initially retained its Spitfires before being disbanded. At the same time, under the Western Union Defence Pact to which Belgium had subscribed together with the UK, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and France, the Belgian Air Force committed itself to an expansion which would see the establishment of at least 12 day-fighter squadrons.  This planned expansion, together with a relatively high accident rate in squadron service, saw Belgium ordering an additional 30 Spitfire Mk.XIVs, all of which were delivered between August 1950 and March 1951.  These new deliveries, together with Nos 349 and 350 Squadron exchanging their Spitfires for Meteors, allowed for the establishment of the 10th Wing, consisting of nos. 23, 27 and 31 squadron at Chièvres Air Base, a temporary stationing pending the construction of their permanent base at Kleine Brogel.
 +
 
 +
The increased obsolescence of the Supermarine Spitfire, as well as deliveries of the Republic F-84E/G Thunderjet under the Mutual Defence Assistance Program from April 1951 onwards heralded the end of the Spitfire Mk.XIV in frontline service. Starting in April 1951, the 2nd Wing at Florennes started converting from their Spitfires to the F-84E Thunderjet; the 10th Wing at Chièvres followed in 1952, with its no. 31 'Tiger' Squadron being the last to cede their Spitfires in November of 1952.  Following the withdrawal of the Spitfire from Belgian frontline service, the 47 surviving aircraft were pooled in the Day Fighter School at Koksijde.
 +
 
 +
This was merely a stay of execution for the Spitfire, as even in its conversion role it was increasingly being replaced by jet aircraft.  The Day Fighter School received its first Meteor T.7 trainers towards the end of 1952, followed by its first Meteor F.4s in early 1953 as they were starting being replaced in squadron service by the newer Meteor F.8.  On May 31st 1954, the 125th Promotion of the Belgian Air Force graduated, being the last class to have received conversion on the Spitfire Mk.14; two months later the last flights of a Spitfire Mk.XIV in Belgian Air Force service were flown at Koksijde, at which point the surviving aircraft were sold in batches to scrap dealers, with airframe SG-49 (ex-RAF TX995) being the last to be struck off charge in December of 1954.
 +
 
 +
Being a difficult type to transition onto due to its powerful engine torque, narrow landing gear and limited forward sight, take-off and landing accidents were frequent, accounting for a majority of airframe write-offs of Spitfire Mk.XIVs in Belgian Air Force service.  Between the first accident on May 21st 1947 and the last accident on August 5th 1954 in Belgian service, no less than 86 Spitfire Mk.XIVs were written off. The brunt of the survivors were struck off charge between March and December of 1954 and sold for scrap, with only three aircraft being retained by the Belgian Air Force purposes for museum purposes: SG-55 (MV246) at the Royal Army Museum in Brussels (in fact, a composite of the wreckage of three individual aircraft); SG-31 (RN201), originally retained at a gate guardian at Beauvechain (following a restoration in the UK in the 1980s, nowadays airworthy as G-BSKP); and SG-57 (RM921), originally retained as a gate guardian at Florennes (nowadays on display at the Florennes base museum).  Two of the Spitfires disposed in the mass scrappings at the Day Fighter School also survived: out of a batch of Spitfires sold to an Ostend scrap dealer in 1957, SG-25 (RM927) and SG-108 (NH904) were retained as eyecatchers, before being sold on in 1967 and 1965 respectively; SG-108 was restored to airworthiness in 1981 as G-FIRE before eventually ending up with Palm Springs Air Museum as N1148P; while SG-25 was only restored to airworthiness as recently as 2022, being registered as F-AYXX to W Air  Collection at La Ferté-Alais in France.  A sixth ex-Belgian Mk.14, SG-38 (RM764, lost in a 1952 fatal accident), is rumoured to be under rebuild as OO-XIV at FAST Aero in Brasschaat near Antwerp, Belgium.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
Line 128: Line 161:
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
  
−
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
+
;Related development
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
 
 +
* [[Spitfire (Family)]]
 +
** [[Prendergast's Spitfire FR Mk XIVe]]
 +
** [[Spitfire F Mk XIVe]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==

Latest revision as of 04:11, 16 October 2024

RANK 5 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
This page is about the fighter Spitfire FR Mk XIVe (France). For other versions, see Spitfire (Family).
▄Spitfire FR Mk XIVe
spitfire_fr_mk14e_belgium.png
GarageImage Spitfire FR Mk XIVe (France).jpg
ArtImage Spitfire FR Mk XIVe (France).jpg
▄Spitfire FR Mk XIVe
France flag.png France
IV Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
5.3 5.7 5.3
Class:
Research:63 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:200 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The ▄Spitfire FR Mk XIVe is a rank IV French fighter with a battle rating of 5.3 (AB/SB) and 5.7 (RB). It was introduced in Update "Seek & Destroy". After WWII, Belgium's air force was able to be rebuilt, with Spitfires being selected to fill the role of general fighter. This aircraft's camouflage is of Spitfire FR Mk XIVe 'SG108' of the Belgian Air Force.

The Spitfire FR Mk. XIVe was a purpose-built low-altitude Reconnaissance airframe. This plane is an example of the 1945 "e" equipped with a clipped "e" type wing, allowing it to mount the respectable armament of 2 cannons and two .50 calibre machine guns. It has a camera for reconnaissance and the "bubble" canopy. The short wing tips vastly increase the roll rate of the aircraft but sacrifice some horizontal and vertical manoeuvrability. The powerful Griffon Mk.65 allowed it to climb better than the majority of enemy fighters at nearly all attitudes; however, the performance drop at altitudes compared to full winged XIVe's is noticeable.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 8 077 m730 km/h
Turn time20 s
Max altitude12 000 m
EngineRolls-Royce Griffon-65
TypeInline
Cooling systemWater
Take-off weight5 t

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Characteristics Max speed
(km/h at 8,077 m) 		Max altitude
(metres) 		Turn time
(seconds) 		Rate of climb
(metres/second) 		Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 698 676 12000 21.5 22.4 18.1 18.1 400
Upgraded 776 730 18.8 20.1 32.0 23.7

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X ✓ X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
794 260 N/A N/A 260 ~10 ~6
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 321 < 400 < 350 > 500

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural794 km/h
Gear260 km/h
  • 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen
  • 4 mm Steel plates in pilot's seat
  • 7 mm Steel plate behind the pilot
  • 12.7 mm Steel plate between the fuselage fuel tank and oil cooling system
  • 6 mm Steel plate in front of liquid cooling system
  • 3 mm Steel boxes around wing ammunition

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB2 868 → 3 731 Sl icon.png
RB6 812 → 8 862 Sl icon.png
SB9 728 → 12 656 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications52 700 Rp icon.png
91 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost1 700 Ge icon.png
Crew training57 000 Sl icon.png
Experts200 000 Sl icon.png
Aces1 100 Ge icon.png
Research Aces520 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
100 / 230 / 480 % Sl icon.png
172 / 172 / 172 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 500 Sl icon.png
185 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 500 Sl icon.png
185 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
3 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 200 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
3 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 700 Sl icon.png
240 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
3 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 700 Sl icon.png
240 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
5 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 800 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
3 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 200 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
5 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 800 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
bmg50_belt_pack
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 500 Sl icon.png
185 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods ammo.png
hispano_belt_pack
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 500 Sl icon.png
185 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
bmg50raf_new_gun
Research:
3 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 200 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods weapon.png
hispano_mk2_new_gun
Research:
3 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 200 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
SMBC mk.2
Research:
3 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 700 Sl icon.png
240 Ge icon.png
Mods gun camora mod.png
Mk.II year 1942
Research:
3 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 700 Sl icon.png
240 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods gun camora mod.png
Mk.II year 1943
Research:
5 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 800 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Offensive armament

Weapon 12 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannon
Ammunition270 rounds
Fire rate600 shots/min
Weapon 22 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun
Ammunition520 rounds
Fire rate750 shots/min
Main articles: Hispano Mk.II (20 mm), M2 Browning (12.7 mm)

The Spitfire FR Mk XIVe (France) is armed with:

  • 2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannons, wing-mounted (135 rpg = 270 total)
  • 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (260 rpg = 520 total)

Suspended armament

List of setups (2)
Setup 11 x G.P. 500 lb Mk.IV bomb
Setup 21 x M.C. 500 lb Mk.I bomb
Main article: G.P. Mk.IV (500 lb)

The Spitfire FR Mk XIVe (France) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 1 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bomb (500 lb total)

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Pros and cons

Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".

Pros:

  • Clipped wings increases the roll rate.
  • Has a strong rate of climb.
  • Upgrade from 7.7mm machine guns to .50 cals for efficient firepower.
  • Good turning capabilities.

Cons:

  • Due to the clipped wings, it's Maneuvering energy retention (MER) is poor.
  • No wide range of flaps: only "landing".
  • Fuel consumption is higher than other fighters at it's BR while using WEP.

History

Following the end of World War II, like many formerly occupied European countries, Belgium started rebuilding its Air Force and turned towards the British government who agreed to supply aircraft. The original plans called for the establishment of two day-fighter wings, "A-Wing" and "B-Wing", each of which would consist of two squadrons, each numbering 16 aircraft.

As part of the reconstruction of the Belgian Air Force, two fully Belgian-manned squadrons of the Royal Air Force, nos. 349 and 350 Squadron, were transferred from British to Belgian command on October 15th 1946. Under RAF command, 349 Squadron had been standardised on the Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe variant, while 350 Squadron flew a mix of both the Mk.XIV and LF Mk.XVIe. However, while the RAF was prepared to hand over both squadrons to Belgium, one condition was the return of the Mk.XVI Spitfires. To replace these, the Belgian Government placed an order for 100 Griffon-engined Spitfire Mk.XIVs, all of which would receive a Belgian serial with an SG-prefix (Spitfire-Griffon; serving alongside Merlin-engined Spitfires with an SM-prefix standing for Spitfire-Merlin).

Deliveries of the original order for Spitfire Mk.XIVs started in April of 1947 and ran until July of 1949, with aircraft from Royal Air Force stocks being overhauled in the UK before being delivered to Belgium. The aircraft delivered were a mixed bag: some were Mk.XIVs with the classic Malcolm Hood while others had the low-cut fuselage and bubble canopy; and a handful were FR.XIVs with provisions for reconnaissance cameras in their rear fuselage. As deliveries progressed, the aircraft were initially delivered to 349 and 350 Squadron which had been organised into the 1st Wing at Beauvechain Air Base, where they replaced the Spitfire LF.XVIe, with additional aircraft being used to establish the 2nd Wing at Florennes Air Base from early 1948 onwards. Two aircraft (RM769, June 19th 1947; and MV360, March 9th 1949) were written off in accidents during test or delivery flights, while a third (MV256/SG-39) was refused on delivery by the Belgian Air Force due to corrosion damage in the cockpit; as a result two additional Spitfires were delivered as replacements. In addition, three non-airworthy Spitfires (NH694, RM712 and RM862) were delivered as instructional airframes to train ground crew.

The delivery of a considerably higher number of Spitfires than originally envisaged (the original plans called for 4 squadrons for a total of 64 Spitfires) allowed for the establishment of two extra Belgian Spitfire units: the 1st Wing at Beauvechain saw the establishment of an "Auxiliary Squadron"; while the 2nd Wing at Florennes saw the establishment of its 3rd Squadron in addition to the already existing 1st and 2nd squadron. On top of that, a number of Mk.XIVs were attached to the Day Fighter School at the Koksijde Air Base, an operational conversion unit which had already been established on the Spitfire Mk.IX.

In April of 1949, the 1st Wing at Beauvechain started receiving the Gloster Meteor F.4, with 349 and 350 Squadron converting to the new jet while its Auxiliary Squadron initially retained its Spitfires before being disbanded. At the same time, under the Western Union Defence Pact to which Belgium had subscribed together with the UK, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and France, the Belgian Air Force committed itself to an expansion which would see the establishment of at least 12 day-fighter squadrons. This planned expansion, together with a relatively high accident rate in squadron service, saw Belgium ordering an additional 30 Spitfire Mk.XIVs, all of which were delivered between August 1950 and March 1951. These new deliveries, together with Nos 349 and 350 Squadron exchanging their Spitfires for Meteors, allowed for the establishment of the 10th Wing, consisting of nos. 23, 27 and 31 squadron at Chièvres Air Base, a temporary stationing pending the construction of their permanent base at Kleine Brogel.

The increased obsolescence of the Supermarine Spitfire, as well as deliveries of the Republic F-84E/G Thunderjet under the Mutual Defence Assistance Program from April 1951 onwards heralded the end of the Spitfire Mk.XIV in frontline service. Starting in April 1951, the 2nd Wing at Florennes started converting from their Spitfires to the F-84E Thunderjet; the 10th Wing at Chièvres followed in 1952, with its no. 31 'Tiger' Squadron being the last to cede their Spitfires in November of 1952. Following the withdrawal of the Spitfire from Belgian frontline service, the 47 surviving aircraft were pooled in the Day Fighter School at Koksijde.

This was merely a stay of execution for the Spitfire, as even in its conversion role it was increasingly being replaced by jet aircraft. The Day Fighter School received its first Meteor T.7 trainers towards the end of 1952, followed by its first Meteor F.4s in early 1953 as they were starting being replaced in squadron service by the newer Meteor F.8. On May 31st 1954, the 125th Promotion of the Belgian Air Force graduated, being the last class to have received conversion on the Spitfire Mk.14; two months later the last flights of a Spitfire Mk.XIV in Belgian Air Force service were flown at Koksijde, at which point the surviving aircraft were sold in batches to scrap dealers, with airframe SG-49 (ex-RAF TX995) being the last to be struck off charge in December of 1954.

Being a difficult type to transition onto due to its powerful engine torque, narrow landing gear and limited forward sight, take-off and landing accidents were frequent, accounting for a majority of airframe write-offs of Spitfire Mk.XIVs in Belgian Air Force service. Between the first accident on May 21st 1947 and the last accident on August 5th 1954 in Belgian service, no less than 86 Spitfire Mk.XIVs were written off. The brunt of the survivors were struck off charge between March and December of 1954 and sold for scrap, with only three aircraft being retained by the Belgian Air Force purposes for museum purposes: SG-55 (MV246) at the Royal Army Museum in Brussels (in fact, a composite of the wreckage of three individual aircraft); SG-31 (RN201), originally retained at a gate guardian at Beauvechain (following a restoration in the UK in the 1980s, nowadays airworthy as G-BSKP); and SG-57 (RM921), originally retained as a gate guardian at Florennes (nowadays on display at the Florennes base museum). Two of the Spitfires disposed in the mass scrappings at the Day Fighter School also survived: out of a batch of Spitfires sold to an Ostend scrap dealer in 1957, SG-25 (RM927) and SG-108 (NH904) were retained as eyecatchers, before being sold on in 1967 and 1965 respectively; SG-108 was restored to airworthiness in 1981 as G-FIRE before eventually ending up with Palm Springs Air Museum as N1148P; while SG-25 was only restored to airworthiness as recently as 2022, being registered as F-AYXX to W Air Collection at La Ferté-Alais in France. A sixth ex-Belgian Mk.14, SG-38 (RM764, lost in a 1952 fatal accident), is rumoured to be under rebuild as OO-XIV at FAST Aero in Brasschaat near Antwerp, Belgium.

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Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Related development

External links


Supermarine
Spitfires 
Merlin engine  Spitfire Mk Ia · Spitfire Mk IIa · Spitfire Mk.IIa Venture I · Spitfire Mk IIb
  Spitfire Mk Vb · Spitfire Mk Vb/trop · Spitfire Mk Vc · Spitfire Mk Vc/trop
  Spitfire F Mk IX · Spitfire F Mk IXc · Spitfire F Mk XVI
  Spitfire LF Mk IX · Plagis' Spitfire LF Mk IXc
Griffon engine  Spitfire F Mk XIVc · Spitfire F Mk XIVe · Prendergast's Spitfire FR Mk XIVe · Spitfire F Mk XVIIIe · Spitfire F Mk 22 · Spitfire F Mk 24
Export  ▄Spitfire Mk Vb/trop · ▃Spitfire LF Mk IXc · ▂Spitfire Mk IXc · Spitfire Mk IXc · Spitfire Mk.IX (CW) · Weizman's Spitfire LF Mk.IXe · ▄Spitfire FR Mk XIVe
Seafires  Seafire LF Mk.III · Seafire F Mk XVII · Seafire FR 47
Export  ▄Seafire LF Mk.III
Jet fighters  Attacker FB 1 · Attacker FB.2 · Scimitar F Mk.1 · Swift F.1 · Swift F.7
Hydroplanes  Walrus Mk.I

France fighters
Dewoitine  D.371 · D.371 H.S.9 · D.373 · D.500 · D.501 · Pallier's D.510 · D.520
Morane-Saulnier  M.S.405C1 · M.S.406C1 · M.S.410
Arsenal  V.G.33C-1
Bloch  M.B.152C1 · M.B.157
Caudron  C.R.714
Sud-Ouest  S.O.8000 Narval
American  H-75A-1 · H-75A-4 · ▄P-39Q-25 · ▄P-40F-5 Lafayette · ▄P-47D-22-RE · ▄P-63C-5 · F-6C-10-NA
  ▄F6F-5 · ▄F6F-5N · F4U-7 · ▄F8F-1B
Other countries  ▄Seafire LF Mk.III · ▄Yak-3 · Challe's ▄Yak-9T · NC.900
Belgium  ▄Gladiator Mk I · ▄Spitfire FR Mk XIVe
Netherlands  ◘Sea Fury FB 51

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