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{{Specs-Card|code=spitfiremkii}}
 
 
{{About
 
{{About
 
| about = British fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 
| about = British fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 
| usage = other versions
 
| usage = other versions
 
| link = Spitfire (Family)
 
| link = Spitfire (Family)
 +
}}
 +
{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=spitfiremkii
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{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.'' -->
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<!--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.-->
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
{{break}}
 
 
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.
 
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.
  
The Spitfire IIb is an excellent turn-fighter and has excellent climb and speed characteristics - forming a middle ground between the sheer speed of the German fighters and American fighters and the nimble agility of the Japanese machines. These aircraft, however, have little in the way of armour protection - any hits will most likely damage something, and in addition, you will be helpless if you try to head-on something. Turn-fighting is the most efficient way of using this nimble, fast fighter, and it should be used in this way most of the time. A suggested loadout is to equip Tracers on the 7.7 mm machine guns, and Stealth Belts on the 20 mm cannons - this allows maximal amounts of damaging rounds - namely the Armour-Piercing Incendiary (AP-I), High-Explosive Fragmentation Semi-Armour-Piercing Incendiary (HEF-SAPI) and High-explosive Fragmentation Incendiary (HEF-I) Rounds. The technique to use this loadout will be described in the "Usage In Battles" section.
+
The {{PAGENAME}} is an excellent turn-fighter and has excellent climb and speed characteristics - forming a middle ground between the sheer speed of the German fighters and American fighters and the nimble agility of the Japanese machines. These aircraft, however, have little in the way of armour protection - any hits will most likely damage something, and in addition, you will be helpless if you try to head-on something. Turn-fighting is the most efficient way of using this nimble, fast fighter, and it should be used in this way most of the time. A suggested loadout is to equip Tracers on the 7.7 mm machine guns, and Stealth Belts on the 20 mm cannons - this allows maximal amounts of damaging rounds - namely the Armour-Piercing Incendiary (AP-I), High-Explosive Fragmentation Semi-Armour-Piercing Incendiary (HEF-SAPI) and High-explosive Fragmentation Incendiary (HEF-I) rounds. The technique to use this loadout will be described in the "Usage in battles" section.
  
Note, however, that with the two 20 mm cannons, the Spitfire Mk IIb can also be used as a reasonable Boom & Zoom fighter with fewer results. It is recommended to maximise the use of AP-I ammo for the Spitfire Mk IIb's 7.7 mm machine guns and the HEF-I ammo for the 20 mm cannons for air damage. It is also advisable to make sure that you conserve your ammo and only fire when you have a clear target, as you'll find you'll run out of ammo very quickly. Sixty rounds of 20 mm is not a very large ammunition pool and will run out faster than the machine guns in most cases.
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Note, however, that with the two 20 mm cannons, the {{PAGENAME}} can also be used as a reasonable Boom & Zoom fighter with fewer results. It is recommended to maximise the use of AP-I ammo for the {{PAGENAME}}'s 7.7 mm machine guns and the HEF-I ammo for the 20 mm cannons for air damage. It is also advisable to make sure that you conserve your ammo and only fire when you have a clear target, as you'll find you'll run out of ammo very quickly. Sixty rounds of 20 mm is not a very large ammunition pool and will run out faster than the machine guns in most cases.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Flight performance ===
 
=== Flight performance ===
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''
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{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}
 +
<!--Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.-->
 +
As mentioned constantly, the {{PAGENAME}} has excellent turn-fighting, climbing, and speed characteristics for a fighter. With the Merlin engine, the {{PAGENAME}} can utilise the power to gain speed and altitude for an energy advantage over its opponents, as well as having the manoeuverability to perform aerobatic maneuvres to get out of a sticky situation.
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
|-
+
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
 
|-
 
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
 
|-
 
 
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 4,572 m)
 
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 4,572 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
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! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
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! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters)
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! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
 
|-
 
|-
 
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
 
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
 
|-
 
|-
| 550 || 534 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 15.9 || 16.5 || 16 || 16 || 300
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! Stock
 +
| 550 || 534 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 15.9 || 16.5 || 16.0 || 16.0 || rowspan="2" | 300
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
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! Upgraded
|-
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| 597 || 571 || 14.4 || 15.1 || 23.9 || 19.4
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 4,572 m)
 
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
 
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters)
 
|-
 
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
 
|-
 
| 597 || 571 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 14.4 || 15.1 || 23.9 || 19.4 || 300
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
==== Details ====
 
==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="5" | Features
 
! colspan="5" | Features
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|}
 
|}
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
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! colspan="7" | Limits
 
|-
 
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h)
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! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h)
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! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flaps<br>(km/h)
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! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
 
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 
|-
 
|-
! + !! -
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! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 
|-
 
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 290 || ~10 || ~6
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| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || N/A || 230 || ~10 || ~6
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
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! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
 
|-
 
|-
! Ailerons<br>(km/h)
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! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
! Rudder<br>(km/h)
 
! Elevators<br>(km/h)
 
! Radiator<br>(km/h)
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| < 321 || < 400 || < 350 || > 500
 
| < 321 || < 400 || < 350 || > 500
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=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
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{{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.'' -->
  
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* More fuel tanks located in wings near the fuselage
 
* More fuel tanks located in wings near the fuselage
 
* Cooling systems heat up ridiculously fast
 
* Cooling systems heat up ridiculously fast
 +
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
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{{Specs-Economy}}
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Your priorities should be the weaponry upgrades and engine upgrades. It is suggested to research the gun upgrades first, and use engine upgrades to unlock tiers. New 7 mm MGs are not really needed since the Brownings are relatively reliable. Airframe upgrades can take priority over the 7 mm MGs. However, to really make this bird sing, you need to have the radiator upgrade and all 20 mm cannon upgrades.
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}
 
<!-- ''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.'' -->
 
{{main|Hispano Mk.I (20 mm)|Browning .303 (7.7 mm)}}
 
{{main|Hispano Mk.I (20 mm)|Browning .303 (7.7 mm)}}
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* 2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.I cannons, wing-mounted (60 rpg = 120 total)
 
* 2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.I cannons, wing-mounted (60 rpg = 120 total)
 
* 4 x 7.7 mm Browning .303 machine guns, wing-mounted (350 rpg = 1,400 total)
 
* 4 x 7.7 mm Browning .303 machine guns, wing-mounted (350 rpg = 1,400 total)
 +
 +
In continuous firing, assuming that no jams happen at all, the Hispano's ammo will dry up quicker than the 7.7 mm Brownings. However, jams do happen and the Hispanos will jam quicker than the Brownings.
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== 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).'' -->[[File:Spitfire Mk IIb Pretty Picture.png|thumb|450px|right|A spitfire Mk IIb, perched on a hill...]]
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<!-- ''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).'' -->
The Spitfire is a high-performance thoroughbred, which is more than a match for any and all opposition it faces at 3.0. However, if you don't know what you're up against and just try to out-turn everything with flat turns, you'll die in an instant. Something important to remember is the seven P's:
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[[File:Spitfire Mk IIb Pretty Picture.png|thumb|450px|right|A Spitfire Mk IIb, perched on a hill...]]
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The Spitfire is a high-performance thoroughbred, which is more than a match for any and all opposition it faces at 3.0. However, if you don't know what you're up against and just try to out-turn everything with flat turns, you'll be able to get kills you need to grind up the tree, but you will ''not'' be able to excel in using the plane. Something important to remember is the seven P's: '''Proper Perusal, Planning & Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.'''
  
'''Proper Perusal, Planning & Preparation''' '''Prevents Poor Performance'''
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In order to use your plane most effectively, you need to know your own plane almost inside-out ('''Perusal'''). In order to fight, you need to plan your every move well and have a good idea of how you're going to start your match and at what point you're going to RTB ('''Planning'''). You need to know and be prepared to fight enemies that may have better performance than you in a turn, in the vertical, in a straight line, or all three, and have tactics to combat them when necessary ('''Preparation''').
  
In order to use your plane most effectively, you need to know your opposition inside-out, but also your own plane ('''Perusal'''). In order to fight, you need to plan your every move well and have a good idea of how you're going to start your match and at what point you're going to RTB ('''Planning'''). You need to know and be prepared to fight enemies that may have better performance than you in a turn, in the vertical, in a straight line, or all three ('''preparation''').
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The {{PAGENAME}} is a very good turn-fighter, being one of the most agile aircraft in the game, and has good weapons configurations that can be used against enemies. It can reliably out-turn many of the aircraft in-game, and out-zoom-climb some as well with WEP on. It has an excellent rate of climb, and due to this and the armament, is a good bomber interceptor. Using its agility, speed, and rate of climb, it can easily run rings around enemy fighters and dispense punishing blows as well. However, there are several points to be kept in mind while flying the {{PAGENAME}}. These are:
 
 
Without further ado, let us begin.
 
 
 
'''Performance:'''
 
 
 
The Spitfire IIb is a very good turn-fighter, being one of the most agile aircraft in the game, and has good weapons configurations that can be used against enemies. It can reliably out-turn many of the aircraft in-game, and out-zoom-climb some as well with WEP on. It has an excellent rate of climb, and due to this and the armament, is a good bomber interceptor. Using its agility, speed, and rate of climb, it can easily run rings around enemy fighters and dispense punishing blows as well. However, there are several points to be kept in mind while flying the Spitfire Mk IIb. These are:
 
  
 
# The relatively low amount of damage that the 7.7 mm Browning machine guns put out
 
# The relatively low amount of damage that the 7.7 mm Browning machine guns put out
 
# The propensity of the 20 mm Hispanos to jam after prolonged firing
 
# The propensity of the 20 mm Hispanos to jam after prolonged firing
 
# Lack of any armour on the engine and (relatively) small amounts of windscreen glass armour
 
# Lack of any armour on the engine and (relatively) small amounts of windscreen glass armour
# Proximity of vital systems towards the front of the aircraft.
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# Decreased engine power at altitudes higher than ~3900-4300 metres
 +
# Proximity of vital systems towards the front of the aircraft, including a forward fuel tank that '''does not self-seal, and will keep burning until all the fuel inside has disappeared.'''
 
# Lack of combat flaps
 
# Lack of combat flaps
# Increased efficiency of control surfaces (ailerons, elevators, rudder) at medium speeds (300 km/h-450 km/h) and engine efficiency at low altitudes (below 4,000 m)
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# Increased efficiency of control surfaces (ailerons, elevators, rudder) at medium speeds (300 km/h-450 km/h) and engine efficiency at low altitudes (below 4,500 m)
 
# Inability to hold WEP for long before the engine begins overheating without MEC.
 
# Inability to hold WEP for long before the engine begins overheating without MEC.
 
# The float carburettor, should the plane pull '''any''' negative G's, the carburettor will be fuel-starved cutting power to the engine.
 
# The float carburettor, should the plane pull '''any''' negative G's, the carburettor will be fuel-starved cutting power to the engine.
 
# Similarity of the muzzle velocity of the 20 mm Hispanos and the 7.7 mm Brownings (meaning that they'll have similar trajectories- this seems unimportant, but the significance will be explained shortly.)
 
# Similarity of the muzzle velocity of the 20 mm Hispanos and the 7.7 mm Brownings (meaning that they'll have similar trajectories- this seems unimportant, but the significance will be explained shortly.)
  
This fighter, unlike American and German fighters, is neither a gun platform nor a potent Boom & Zoom fighter. It will not be able to hold its top speed for very long due to its lacking cooling systems unless the radiator is forced open by manual engine control - which doubles or triples the WEP time when used properly (forced 100% radiator directly after takeoff). In addition, the aircraft is unable to deploy combat flaps, which means you cannot have 'reserve manoeuvrability' to out-turn a fighter in order to retreat.
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This fighter, unlike American and German fighters, is neither a gun platform nor a potent Boom & Zoom fighter. It is well-armed and can Boom & Zoom decently, but if an aspiring pilot tries to fly it like a P-40, the Spitfire will be shot down very, very quickly. Conversely, if a pilot tries to fly it like a Bf 109, while they might have some amounts of success, the Spitfire is outperformed as a B&Z fighter by US fighters such as the F4U-1A and German fighters such as the Bf 109. It will not be able to hold its top speed for very long due to its lacking cooling systems unless the radiator is forced open by manual engine control - which doubles or triples the WEP time when used properly (forced 100% radiator directly after takeoff). In addition, the aircraft is unable to deploy combat flaps, which means you cannot have 'reserve manoeuvrability' to out-turn a fighter in order to retreat.
  
Try find lone opponents to face off against as the Spitfire performs best when facing enemies one at a time. Always keep an eye on the tactical map as your adversaries (mostly 109s) will travel in "wolf packs" and shoot you down. For fighting at low altitude stay above your opponent you have singled out and dive on them. If you have too much energy go for a high yo-yo manoeuvre to bleed your energy. 90% of the time you will easily out-manoeuvre anything you face so get on their tail and shoot them down. For high altitude fighting, try to get the altitude advantage and bait your opponent into a turn fight. Stay away from energy sapping manoeuvres as at high altitude this will lead to the Mk IIb being left a sitting duck (also stay away from 1v2s and the like).  
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Try to find lone opponents to face off against as the Spitfire performs best when facing enemies one at a time. Always keep an eye on the tactical map as your adversaries (mostly 109s) will travel in "wolf packs" and shoot you down. For fighting at low altitude stay above the opponent you have singled out and dive on them. If you have too much energy go for a high yo-yo manoeuvre to bleed your energy. 90% of the time you will easily out-manoeuvre anything you face so get on their tail and shoot them down. For high altitude fighting, try to get the altitude advantage and bait your opponent into a turn fight. Stay away from energy sapping manoeuvres as at high altitude this will lead to the Mk IIb being left a sitting duck (also stay away from 1v2s and the like).
  
Abuse the vertical in a fight. Use yoyos, chandelles et cetera. Just try not to loop or climb '''up''', since unlike Bf-109s (your main opposition), you '''will''' bleed speed and will be left at almost stall velocities, making you a sitting duck for anybody who decides to kill you. Go down instead of up. Make a split-S instead of an immelmann to perform a reversal. Dive and then loop back up to get back into a fight. Use your superior turning abilities in the semi-vertical, making chandelles instead of pure loops. You '''can''' theoretically use flat turns only, but if you get into an uptier, you'll be out-performed by Zeroes (who perform better at lower speeds) and Fw-190A-1s (which have excellent energy retention and will still be going fast when you're stalled out in a turn).  
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Abuse the vertical ''as well as'' the horizontal in a fight. Use maneuvers such as yo-yos and chandelles that will bleed the speed of an enemy while allowing you to retain more speed than your enemy. Your primary opponent - Bf-109s (Primarily [[Bf 109 E-3|E-3s]] and [[Bf 109 E-4|E-4s]], sometimes even [[Bf 109 F-4|F-4s]]) - perform better in the vertical than you do, so do not try to out-dive or out-climb them. Should you try to climb against a Bf-109 ending its dive and entering a loop, usually, you will bleed speed and stall out, making you a sitting duck for anybody who decides to target you. If you can, try to fly downwards instead of heading up. Make a split-S instead of an Immelmann to perform a reversal- roll inverted (upside down) and then pull hard on the elevator, looping back up to get back into a fight. Use your superior turning abilities in the semi-vertical, making chandelles instead of pure loops. You ''can'' theoretically use flat turns only, but if you get into an uptier, you'll be out-performed by Zeroes (who perform better at lower speeds) and [[Fw 190 A-1]]s (which have excellent energy retention and will still be going fast when you're stalled out in a turn). When fighting these aircraft, it is recommended that you fight less in terms of ''strictly'' up or down, but instead, plan your engagement according to whether you're travelling at a faster speed (You're outrunning them) or above/below them. When engaging these aircraft, having altitude definitely helps. Spitfires can out-dive A6M2s, and can out-turn Fw-190s. In both cases, however, if you bleed too much speed, you will be shot down due to becoming easy meat. The A6M2 stalls at a lower speed than you and also turns better at speeds below 330 km/h (205 mph), while the Fw-190, although unable to turn as fast as you do, will be able to keep its speed for longer.
  
Experienced players may recommend that you use landing flaps below 250km/h to get an edge in turn time. Don't do this if you're a new pilot. The spitfire IIB will slow down dramatically if you do so and you'll end up losing too much speed. Landing flaps '''may''' increase lift, but they also reduce your speed by acting as brakes by increasing drag.
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Of course, to do everything that was described, it is better to have altitude before doing so. For example, you can't make a split-S from the astronomically low altitude of 200 metres (650 ft) and expect not to crash into the ground. While pilots may tell you otherwise, you should ''not'' climb to 3000m and stay there for the entire match. Remember the proverb: '''Speed is Life. Altitude is Speed in the Bank.''' Spitfire pilots should use their excellent Merlin engine to climb into the 4000m range in order to be able to gain energy when necessary to either run away or to fight an enemy.
  
'''Armament:'''
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Experienced players may recommend that you use landing flaps below 250 km/h to get an edge in turn time. Don't do this if you're a new pilot. The Spitfire IIb will slow down dramatically if you do so and you'll end up losing too much speed. Landing flaps ''may'' increase lift, but they also reduce your speed by acting as brakes by increasing drag. They also rip easily, and unless micromanaged, they will immediately rip off, leading to difficulties in controlling the plane.
  
The Hispano Mk. I only has 60 rounds of ammo, stored in drums. The 7.7 mm guns have 350 rounds each. In continuous firing, assuming that no jams happen at all, the Hispano's ammo will dry up quicker than the 7.7 mm Brownings. However, jams do happen and the Hispanos will jam quicker than the Brownings.
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'''Using the armaments:'''
  
A possible strategy is akin to that used on the Hurricane Mk IV, using the cannons sparingly. Use the cannons when in the aircraft's most effective convergence range and envelope, and use the machine guns to 'sight' the cannons. Fire the machine guns tracer belts for maximum AP-I and tracer ammo to get an idea of where the cannon rounds will go, and then fire cannons once you are getting consistent hits. This technique works well on this aircraft because the Hispano cannons and the 7.7mm guns share similar muzzle velocities to one another, and thus may fire in concert with each other with or without vertical targeting to result in consistent hits.  
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A possible strategy for the {{PAGENAME}}'s set of armaments is one akin to that used on the [[Hurricane Mk IV]], using the cannons sparingly to conserve ammo and reduce changes of jamming. Use the cannons when in the aircraft's most effective convergence range and envelope, and use the machine guns to 'sight' the cannons. Fire the machine guns tracer belts for maximum AP-I and tracer ammo to get an idea of where the cannon rounds will go, and then fire cannons once you know where you should aim. This technique works well because the Hispano cannons and the 7.7mm guns share similar muzzle velocities to one another.
  
The video below shows how to use the aiming technique described:  
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The video below shows how to use the aiming technique described:
  
{{Youtube-gallery|YiB4sl5mKJo|An example of an attack made using the machine guns to "aim" the cannons. This attack was done with a spitfire Vb/trop, but it should be actively used in any spitfire with .303s coupled with cannons (Spitfires iib through F Mk IX)}}
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{{Youtube-gallery|7Gp8Q8MqMQg|An example of an attack made using the machine guns to "aim" the cannons. This attack was done with a
 +
Spitfire Mk IIb, but it should be actively used in any Spitfire with .303s coupled with cannons (Spitfires IIb through LF Mk IXc)}}
  
Go for deflection shots against enemy aircraft. These shots are side-on shots where you "lead" an enemy aircraft in front of you, and get off a burst when you're not directly behind them, but instead when they're turning. While this may be difficult to newer players, it provides valuable training and is a good learning experience for later tiers. In addition, should you use this technique, you can easily '''cause enemy planes' wings to completely fall off''' if you pull it off right and hit a wing spar. Bf-109s, with their single wing spars, are especialy vulnerable to a well-aimed side-on shot. If your cannon ammo drops to 50 rounds or below that, try and return to base quickly. That way, if you get bounced on the way back, you can at least have some cannon ammo left to surprise any raider looking to kill you.
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Go for deflection shots against enemy aircraft. These shots are side-on shots where you "lead" an enemy aircraft in front of you, and get off a burst when you're not directly behind them, but instead when they're turning. While this may be difficult to newer players, it provides valuable training and is a good learning experience for later tiers. In addition, should you use this technique, you can easily cause enemy planes' wings to completely fall off if you pull it off right and hit a wing spar. Bf 109s, with their single wing spars, are especially vulnerable to a well-aimed side-on shot. If your cannon ammo drops to 50 rounds or below that, try and return to base quickly. That way, if you get bounced on the way back, you can at least have some cannon ammo left to surprise any raider looking to attack you.
  
 
'''Fighting the enemy:'''
 
'''Fighting the enemy:'''
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<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:1100px; overflow:auto;">
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Click '''Expand''' to show
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<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
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{{Notice|Disclaimer: This is a very general guide to the aircraft's capabilities. Following these to the letter without consideration of the enemy's abilities can still lead to a loss.}}
  
Tips for using these fighters against specific nations' fighters are as follows:
+
Tips for using the Spitfire against other nations' fighters are as follows:
 
 
{{Notice|Disclaimer: This is a very general guide to the aircraft's capabilities. Following these to the letter without consideration of the enemy's abilities can still lead to a loss.}}
 
  
* Japanese Fighters - Japanese fighters are more nimble than you. If you enter a turn-fight with them, and the pilot is smart, he or she '''can''' and '''will''' deploy their combat flaps and shoot you down. Attempt to bait them into energy-fighting manoeuvres (otherwise known as Boom-and-zoom), where your superior speed, acceleration, and climb rate will prove you to be the victor.
+
*Japanese fighters - Japanese fighters are more nimble than you. If you enter a turn-fight with them, and the pilot is smart, he or she '''can''' and '''will''' deploy their combat flaps and shoot you down. Attempt to bait them into energy-fighting manoeuvres (otherwise known as Boom-and-zoom), where your superior speed, acceleration, and climb rate will prove you to be the victor.
  
* American Fighters - At this rank, you will be facing US fighters such as the F4F (the Wildcats), the P-39s (the Airacobras) and early P-47Ds (the Thunderbolts/german and russian premium fighters are included in this list) and many other aircraft which have .50 calibre machine guns. These large-calibre machine guns will shred a Spitfire to pieces if given the opportunity to fire a long, sustained burst at you, such as in a head-on engagement. Lure the enemy into a turn-fight, and use your manoeuvrability to break the enemy's aiming solution at the last moment with manoeuvres such as the scissors and barrel rolls.
+
*American fighters - In mixed battle, you will face US fighters such as the F4F, the P-39s and sometimes P-47Ds (Including the German and ussian premiums) and many other aircraft which have .50 calibre machine guns. These large-calibre machine guns will shred a Spitfire to pieces if given the opportunity to fire a long, sustained burst at you, such as in a head-on engagement. Lure the enemy down and force them to lose energy, using your manoeuvrability to break the enemy's aiming solution at the last moment with manoeuvres such as the scissors and barrel rolls.
  
* German Fighters - German and Italian fighters will usually have cannons and hold a speed advantage over you, as well as being more capable at higher speeds and altitudes. If you head-on a German fighter, you will lose over 90% of the time, unless you are lucky and manage to land critical hits on the engine and the pilot - and this is also unlikely given that the 7.7 mm machine guns are not known for their armour-piercing abilities. Like with American fighters, try to lure the enemy into a turn-fight, and use your manoeuvrability to break the enemy's aiming solution at the last moment with manoeuvres such as scissors and barrel rolls. You may have a chance with a head-on, but this requires that you '''know''' your plane completely.
+
*German fighters - German and Italian fighters will usually have cannons and hold a speed advantage over you, as well as being more capable at higher speeds and altitudes. If you head-on a German fighter, you will lose over 90% of the time, unless you are lucky and manage to land critical hits on the engine and the pilot - and this is also unlikely given that the 7.7 mm machine guns and thie hispano cannons are not known for their armour-piercing abilities. Like with American fighters, try to make the enemy bleed speed, while dodging enemy fire. You can also attempt to lure the enemy into turning with you. You may have a chance with a head-on, but this requires that you '''know''' your plane completely. Head-ons are suicide, since F-model [[Bf 109 (Family)|Bf 109 Variants]] have their guns mounted near the engine, and the [[Fw 190 A-1]] has an overwhelming frontal armament. Although the spitfire can shrug off a few hits from machine guns or [[MG FF (20 mm)|MG FFs]], it cannot survive hits from mine-shell equipped [[MG FF/M (20 mm)|MG FF/M]] or [[MG 151/20 (20 mm)|MG 151/20]] cannons, such as those on the [[Bf 109 E-4]].
  
* Italian fighters - Italian fighters are the high-performance counterparts of the Germans, just like the British are to the Americans.
+
*Italian fighters - Italian fighters are the high-performance counterparts of the Germans, just like the British are to the Americans. They possess either similar agility ([[Re.2001 (Family)|Re.2001-series aircraft]]) or superior speed and energy retention in vertical maneuvers ([[C.202 (Family)|C.202]] & [[C.205 (Family)|C.205]]-series aircraft). In addition, all of them are equipped with versions of the Bf-109's DB-605 engine, and they do well at high operating altitudes. Most Italian aircraft at the BR range of 2.3-3.3 are extremely poorly armed, with only two low-velocity, low-rate-of-fire [[Breda-SAFAT (12.7 mm)|Breda-SAFAT 12.7mm]] machine guns coupled with a pair of [[Breda-SAFAT (7.7 mm)|Breda-SAFAT 7.7 mm]] machine guns. However, a few aircraft- namely the [[Re.2001 CN]] and the [[C.202EC]]- have two [[MG 151/20 (20 mm)|MG 151/20]] 20mm cannons, making them dangerous opponents.
  
* Russian Fighters - Russian fighters will have cannons, large-calibre machine guns, or both, in conjunction with small-calibre guns. Again, facing these head-on is suicide, and at the low altitudes you will meet them at, trying to use speed to out-zoom them is suicide. Turn-fighting is optimal in these situations, but keep in mind that some Russian fighters are very, very manoeuvrable at low altitudes. Again, like always, abuse the vertical. Russian planes have worse cannons, but they have 12.7mm guns with API ammo which are also centrally mounted. Do '''not''' try to head-on them and expect to live unless you're either the luckiest pilot on earth or you know how to get your shots into the enemy's fuel tank or engines or pilot '''on the first try'''. If you let them get into firing range in a head-on, you're absolutely cooked.
+
*Russian fighters - Russian fighters will have cannons, large-calibre machine guns, or both, in conjunction with small-calibre guns, mounted in-line on the fuselage, but are weak and vulnerable to fires. Again, facing these head-on is suicide, and at the low altitudes you will meet them at, you cannot disengage by running or climbing away. Keep in mind that while you can turnfight, Russian fighters are very, very manoeuvrable at low altitudes. Again, like always, abuse the vertical with the horizontal. Russian planes have inferior ShVak cannons, but they have 12.7mm Berezin UBs with API ammo. Do '''not''' try to head-on them unless you know how to get your shots into the enemy's fuel tank or engines or pilot ''on the first try''. If you let them get into firing range in a head-on, you're absolutely cooked.
  
* French Fighters - French fighters are a bit of a mixed bag, having some of the more heavily armed aircraft and some of the less heavily armed aircraft in the game. In general, however, they will have either cannons or heavy-calibre machine guns, and manoeuvrability that is slightly better than American fighters. Turn-fighting these aircraft is preferable to a head-on engagement. They will also do better at high altitudes and speeds. Rope-a-dope them into fighting you on your own terms at lower speeds and altitudes where you'll have a chance. In addition, they have low ammo count (60 rounds for cannons and 300-500 for Machine Guns), just like you do, so try and make them waste their ammo.
+
*French fighters - French fighters are a bit of a mixed bag, having some of the more heavily armed aircraft and some of the less heavily armed aircraft in the game. In general, however, they will have either cannons or heavy-calibre machine guns, and good maneuverability. Turn-fighting these aircraft is preferable to a head-on engagement. They will also do better at high altitudes and speeds. Rope-a-dope them into fighting you on your own terms at lower speeds and altitudes where you'll have a chance. In addition, they have low ammo count (60 rounds for cannons and 300-500 for machine guns), just like you do, so try and make them waste their ammo.
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'''Specific enemies of note:'''
 
'''Specific enemies of note:'''
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* [[BV 238]] - Don't face these things from above, level, or from the rear. The massive amounts of defence armaments on this flying boat will ensure the Spitfire will be shot down. They're also massive - but not impossible to shoot down. The only reasonable chance of shooting the BV 238 down is via aiming for the cockpit at the front (very hard), or by aiming at the wings. The process to do this is to get to its rear and dive down below the enemy, corkscrewing and rolling and skidding across the sky seemingly at random and get within 600 metres of it and approximately a hundred metres below. Start firing machine guns at the wings. Once closed into 400 metres, fire the cannons. Once you set fire to a BV, usually, it will not go out
  
* [[BV 238]] - Don't face these things from above, level, or from the rear. The massive amounts of defence armaments on this flying boat will ensure the Spitfire will be shot down. They're also massive - but not impossible to shoot down. The only reasonable chance of shooting the BV 238 down is via aiming for the cockpit at the front. The process to do this is to get to its rear and dive down below the enemy, corkscrewing and rolling and skidding across the sky seemingly at random and get within 600 metres of it and approximately a hundred metres below. Start firing machine guns at the body, and try to get 'hit' notifications with it. Once closed into 400 metres, fire the cannons.
+
* [[A6M2]] - These nimble fighters may have low-velocity cannons, but they can easily out-turn you with combat flaps and stay with you in a fight, and out-turn you with flaps on. Don't even bother trying to turn-fight them. Use boom-and-zoom manoeuvres. Even if the enemy pilot wants to, the A6M2's climb rate is not very good compared to the Spitfire, and it will not be able to keep up. Get at least 2 km away from the enemy before you go in again, or at least wait until it is distracted by another enemy.
 
 
* [[A6M2]] - These nimble fighters may have low-velocity cannons, but they can easily out-turn you with combat flaps and stay with you in a fight, and out-turn you with flaps on. Don't even bother trying to turn-fight them. Use boom-and-zoom maneuvers. Even if the enemy pilot wants to, the a6m2's climb rate is not very good compared to the spitfire, and it will not be able to keep up. Get at least 2km away from the enemy before you go in again, or at least wait until it is distracted by another enemy.
 
  
* [[I-153P]] "Chaika" - The I-153P is a 3.0 Russian biplane from the late 1930s. These small biplanes will rip you to shreds if you don't play smart. These biplanes have an insane turn rate and will effortlessly out-turn you without any flaps. They are armed with two [[ShVAK (20 mm)|20 mm ShVAK]] cannons that will obliterate you if you present a side-on profile to them (i.e. let them get a "deflection" shot on you), and they can destroy you in a head-on if you're not careful. To counter these aircraft you '''do not''' engage in a turn fight, instead you [[Energy fighting|energy fight]] (a recommended tactic is to use yoyos and to out-climb/out-speed the enemy) as your Spitfire will have much better energy retention, is much faster, and has an excellent climb rate. The chaika can also be fought by baiting a head-on and aiming well, but this requires concise understanding of the weapons and their ballistic properties.
+
* [[I-153P]] "Chaika" - The I-153P is a 3.0 Russian biplane from the late 1930s. These small biplanes will rip you to shreds if you don't play smart. These biplanes have an insane turn rate and will effortlessly out-turn you without any flaps. They are armed with two [[ShVAK (20 mm)|20 mm ShVAK]] cannons that will obliterate you if you present a side-on profile to them (i.e. let them get a "deflection" shot on you), and they can destroy you in a head-on if you're not careful. To counter these aircraft you '''do not''' engage in a turn fight, instead you [[Energy fighting|energy fight]] (a recommended tactic is to use yo-yos and to out-climb/out-speed the enemy) as your Spitfire is much faster, has an excellent climb rate, and has superior energy retention.
  
* [[Bf 109 E-1]]/[[Bf 109 E-3]]/[[Bf 109 E-4]]: These planes have superior climb, high-altitude performance, top speed, dive characteristics and energy retention to you, as well as two centrally mounted machine guns. However, you '''can''' outclimb them at low altitudes. You may find it hard to out-turn them, though. Trying to out-turn a Bf-109 is harder than it seems, since the two planes are both very agile. Abuse the vertical to get a '''definite''' edge on them. Use low-yo-yos and high-yo-yos to gain the altitude or speed advantage over a turning Bf-109.
+
* [[Bf 109 E-1]]/[[Bf 109 E-3]]/[[Bf 109 E-4]] - These planes have superior high-altitude performance, top speed, dive characteristics, as well as two centrally mounted machine guns and two cannons. However, you ''can'' outclimb them at low altitudes. You may find it hard to out-turn them, though. Trying to out-turn a Bf 109 is harder than it seems, since the two planes are both very agile. Abuse the vertical to get a definite edge on them. Use low-yo-yos and high-yo-yos to gain the altitude or speed advantage over a turning Bf 109.
  
* [[Bf 109 F-1]]/[[Bf 109 F-2]]/[[Bf 109 F-4]]: These aircraft climb, accelerate and dive faster than you. However, they will find it '''much''' harder to out-turn you. Use split-S's to get under them and a combination of high/low Yoyos and high-intensity climbing maneuvers to knock out Bf-109s. If one tries to engage in a head-on, fire off a desultory burst of MG fire and hope to hit something, and '''immediately''' dive and try to get under it. If you lock into a head-on, it is likely that they will hit your cooling system and you will die a horrible death.
+
* [[Bf 109 F-1]]/[[Bf 109 F-2]]/[[Bf 109 F-4]] - These aircraft climb, accelerate and dive faster than you. However, they will find it '''much''' harder to out-turn you. Use split-S's to get under them and a combination of high/low yo-yos. If one tries to engage in a head-on, fire off a desultory burst of MG fire and hope to hit something, and '''immediately''' dive and try to get under it. If you lock into a head-on, it is likely that they will hit your cooling system and your engine will die, along with your plane.
  
* [[Fw 190 A-1]]: This aircraft has a similar turn radius to you, but superior acceleration, (arguably) superior armament, superior high-altitude performance and better top speed than you do, but a worse rate of climb. You can turn '''faster''' than it, but you can't '''out-turn''' it per se. Don't get baited into a turn-fight. You should have the altitude advantage, since most Fw-190 pilots stay low (3500m-ish), where their engine does best. You can out-climb them when they're slow, so try and energy fight them. Just don't use loops, since the Fw-190 will happily slice and dice you when you're in a loop using its superior energy retention. Don't turn-fight it, since it'll make you bleed speed and subsequently use its superior energy retention to turn and burn for longer periods of time and eventually get on your six and shoot you down in flames. This plane has the feared "minengeschoß" (Mine shot) round for its 20mm cannons, '''and''' four machine guns, so '''definitely do not''' head-on this plane.
+
* [[Fw 190 A-1]] - This aircraft has a similar turn radius to you, but superior acceleration, (arguably) superior armament, superior high-altitude performance and better top speed than you do, but a worse rate of climb. You can turn '''faster''' than it, but you can't '''out-turn''' it per se. Don't get baited into a turn-fight. You should have the altitude advantage, since most Fw 190 pilots stay low (3500-ish m), where their engine does best. You can out-climb them when they're slow, so try and energy fight them. Just don't use loops, since the Fw 190 will happily slice and dice you when you're in a loop using its superior energy retention. Don't turn-fight it, since it'll make you bleed speed and subsequently use its superior energy retention to turn and burn for longer periods of time and eventually get on your six and shoot you down in flames. This plane has the feared "minengeschoß" (Mine shot) round for its 20mm cannons, and four machine guns, so '''do not''' head-on this plane.
  
* [[C.202EC]] : This aircraft is easily '''the''' most dangerous enemy that you will ever face. It brings '''excellent''' armament, top speed, energy retention and dive characteristics to the table, along with excellent high-altitude performance and climb rate. '''Do NOT''' head-on this plane. This aircraft has '''two MG151/20s''' with Mine shot, and will absolutely shred you into pieces should you enter a head-on. C.202EC pilots are usually confident in their abilities to chop enemy aircraft into pieces in a head-on, and some (including this contributor) will actively seek it. It also has two 12.7mm machine guns, centrally mounted in the nose, which can do some damage if the C.202 can get close-in. You can out-turn a C.202EC, and possibly out-climb it, but not much else. The C.202EC does best at high speeds and high altitudes, so try and bring things into your favour. force a low-altitude fight, or bait it towards other friends who are better able to deal with it.  
+
* [[C.202EC]] - This aircraft is easily the most dangerous enemy that you will ever face. It brings '''excellent''' armament, top speed, energy retention and dive characteristics to the table, along with excellent high-altitude performance and climb rate. '''Do not''' head-on this plane. This aircraft has '''two MG151/20s''' with Mine shot, and will absolutely shred you into pieces should you enter a head-on. C.202EC pilots are usually confident in their abilities to chop enemy aircraft into pieces in a head-on, and some (including this contributor) will actively seek it. It also has two 12.7mm machine guns, centrally mounted in the nose, which can do some damage if the C.202 can get close. You can out-turn a C.202EC, and possibly out-climb it, but not much else. The C.202EC does best at high speeds and high altitudes, so try and bring things into your favour. Force it into a low-speed fight, or bait it towards other friends who are better able to deal with it.
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=== Manual Engine Control ===
 
=== Manual Engine Control ===
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|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 
=== Modules ===
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Tier
 
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
 
! Survivability
 
! Weaponry
 
|-
 
| I
 
| Fuselage repair
 
| Radiator
 
|
 
| Offensive 7 mm
 
|-
 
| II
 
|
 
| Compressor
 
| Airframe
 
| New 7 mm MGs
 
|-
 
| III
 
| Wings repair
 
| Engine
 
|
 
| Offensive 20 mm
 
|-
 
| IV
 
|
 
| Engine injection
 
| Cover
 
| New 20 mm cannons
 
|-
 
|}
 
 
* Your priorities should be the weaponry upgrades and engine upgrades. It is suggested to research the gun upgrades first, and use engine upgrades to unlock tiers. New 7 mm MGs are not really needed since the Brownings are relatively reliable. Airframe upgrades can take priority over the 7 mm MGs. However, to really make this bird sing, you need to have the radiator upgrade and all 20 mm cannon upgrades.
 
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
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* Absolutely amazing turn capabilities, even at low speeds
 
* Absolutely amazing turn capabilities, even at low speeds
* One of the best angles fighters in-game currently
 
 
* Superb climb capabilities
 
* Superb climb capabilities
 
* Relatively good armament with a 20 mm and 7.7 mm combination arrangement
 
* Relatively good armament with a 20 mm and 7.7 mm combination arrangement
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* 7.7 mm machine guns have low damage and stopping power
 
* 7.7 mm machine guns have low damage and stopping power
* Cannons have average ammo count for this rank
+
* Cannons have a low ammo count in general - just enough for 6 seconds of firing
 
* Hispano Mk.I 20 mm has a tendency to jam under continuous firing when not upgraded
 
* Hispano Mk.I 20 mm has a tendency to jam under continuous firing when not upgraded
 
* Hispano cannons may be finicky to use if you are not able to aim them well
 
* Hispano cannons may be finicky to use if you are not able to aim them well
 
* Due to aforementioned weapon disadvantages, proper trigger discipline, convergence, and knowing the effective cone of fire is key
 
* Due to aforementioned weapon disadvantages, proper trigger discipline, convergence, and knowing the effective cone of fire is key
 
* Wings overload quickly when turning at high speeds
 
* Wings overload quickly when turning at high speeds
* Most enemy contemporaries at the 2.3-3.3 matchmaking range can out-dive you.
+
* Most enemy contemporaries at the 2.3-3.3 matchmaking range can out-dive you
 
* Low dive speed limit
 
* Low dive speed limit
 
* Poor roll rate, especially at high speed
 
* Poor roll rate, especially at high speed
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== 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).''
+
<!--''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).''-->
  
 
=== In-game description ===
 
=== In-game description ===
The Supermarine Spitfire was a British fighter which served with various nations from the late 1930s up into the 1950s. It was a single-engine, all-metal, low-wing monoplane with retractable landing gear. Various modifications served as fighters, interceptors, high-altitude fighters, fighter-bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. A total of some 20,300 Spitfires of all types were built during the war, including two-seater trainers.
+
The Supermarine Spitfire was a British fighter which served with various nations from the late 1930's up into the 1950's. It was a single-engine, all-metal, low-wing monoplane with retractable landing gear. Various modifications served as fighters, interceptors, high-altitude fighters, fighter-bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. A total of some 20,300 Spitfires of all types were built during the war, including two-seater trainers.
  
 
In the summer of 1939, an early Spitfire Mk I was fitted with the new Rolls Royce Merlin XII engine, which had a higher output of 1175 HP and was fitted with a Coffman engine starter instead of the previous Merlin's electrical starter system. This, combined with the Rotol variable pitch propeller which had been used on many Spitfire Mk Is would now form the powerplant of the new Spitfire Mk II, although some production models used the De Havilland propeller. The Mk II was some 6-7 mph faster than the later Spitfire Mk I, but still slower than the original Spitfires before a series of modifications increased the aircraft's weight. As with the Mk I, the Spitfire Mk II was produced with either eight machine guns as the Spitfire Mk IIA, or two 20mm cannon and four machine guns as the Mk IIb. The earlier problems with cannon fitted to the Mk IB had now been solved by introducing a belt feed system to the weapon to replace the earlier drum, turning the cannon on its side and fitting a blister on the wing to house the new mechanism.
 
In the summer of 1939, an early Spitfire Mk I was fitted with the new Rolls Royce Merlin XII engine, which had a higher output of 1175 HP and was fitted with a Coffman engine starter instead of the previous Merlin's electrical starter system. This, combined with the Rotol variable pitch propeller which had been used on many Spitfire Mk Is would now form the powerplant of the new Spitfire Mk II, although some production models used the De Havilland propeller. The Mk II was some 6-7 mph faster than the later Spitfire Mk I, but still slower than the original Spitfires before a series of modifications increased the aircraft's weight. As with the Mk I, the Spitfire Mk II was produced with either eight machine guns as the Spitfire Mk IIA, or two 20mm cannon and four machine guns as the Mk IIb. The earlier problems with cannon fitted to the Mk IB had now been solved by introducing a belt feed system to the weapon to replace the earlier drum, turning the cannon on its side and fitting a blister on the wing to house the new mechanism.
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== Media ==
 
== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
+
<!--Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.-->
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|9_txEPailKc|'''The Shooting Range #92''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 02:45 discusses the Spitfire Mk IIb.}}
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
+
<!--''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;''
 
* ''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.''-->
 +
 
 +
* [[Spitfire Mk Ia]]
 +
* [[Spitfire Mk IIa]]
 +
* [[Sea Hurricane Mk IC]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!--''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
  
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
 
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
* ''other literature.''
+
* ''other literature.''-->
 +
 
 +
* [[wt:en/news/4507-development-spitfire-mk-iib-an-old-friend-en|[Devblog] Spitfire Mk IIb: an old friend]]
 +
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermarine_Spitfire_(early_Merlin-powered_variants)#Mk_II_(Type_329) Wikipedia - Supermarine Spitfire (early Merlin-powered variants)]
  
 +
{{AirManufacturer Supermarine}}
 
{{Britain fighters}}
 
{{Britain fighters}}

Revision as of 20:59, 30 December 2020

RANK 4 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
This page is about the British fighter Spitfire Mk IIb. For other versions, see Spitfire (Family).
spitfiremkii.png
GarageImage Spitfire Mk IIb.jpg
Spitfire Mk IIb
AB RB SB
3.7 3.7 3.0
Class:
Research:9 200 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:16 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Spitfire Mk IIb is a rank II British fighter with a battle rating of 3.7 (AB/RB) and 3.0 (SB). It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.

The Spitfire Mk IIb is an excellent turn-fighter and has excellent climb and speed characteristics - forming a middle ground between the sheer speed of the German fighters and American fighters and the nimble agility of the Japanese machines. These aircraft, however, have little in the way of armour protection - any hits will most likely damage something, and in addition, you will be helpless if you try to head-on something. Turn-fighting is the most efficient way of using this nimble, fast fighter, and it should be used in this way most of the time. A suggested loadout is to equip Tracers on the 7.7 mm machine guns, and Stealth Belts on the 20 mm cannons - this allows maximal amounts of damaging rounds - namely the Armour-Piercing Incendiary (AP-I), High-Explosive Fragmentation Semi-Armour-Piercing Incendiary (HEF-SAPI) and High-explosive Fragmentation Incendiary (HEF-I) rounds. The technique to use this loadout will be described in the "Usage in battles" section.

Note, however, that with the two 20 mm cannons, the Spitfire Mk IIb can also be used as a reasonable Boom & Zoom fighter with fewer results. It is recommended to maximise the use of AP-I ammo for the Spitfire Mk IIb's 7.7 mm machine guns and the HEF-I ammo for the 20 mm cannons for air damage. It is also advisable to make sure that you conserve your ammo and only fire when you have a clear target, as you'll find you'll run out of ammo very quickly. Sixty rounds of 20 mm is not a very large ammunition pool and will run out faster than the machine guns in most cases.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 4 572 m571 km/h
Turn time15 s
Max altitude10 000 m
EngineRolls-Royce Merlin-XII
TypeInline
Cooling systemWater
Take-off weight3 t

As mentioned constantly, the Spitfire Mk IIb has excellent turn-fighting, climbing, and speed characteristics for a fighter. With the Merlin engine, the Spitfire Mk IIb can utilise the power to gain speed and altitude for an energy advantage over its opponents, as well as having the manoeuverability to perform aerobatic maneuvres to get out of a sticky situation.

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 4,572 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 550 534 10000 15.9 16.5 16.0 16.0 300
Upgraded 597 571 14.4 15.1 23.9 19.4

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 + -
760 270 N/A N/A 230 ~10 ~6
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 321 < 400 < 350 > 500
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
4,490 m 1,140 hp 1,311 hp

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural760 km/h
Gear270 km/h
  • 38 mm Bulletproof glass in cockpit front.
  • 4 mm Steel plate in pilot's seat
  • 6-7 mm Steel plate behind the pilot.
  • Critical components located at the front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
  • More fuel tanks located in wings near the fuselage
  • Cooling systems heat up ridiculously fast

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB495 → 626 Sl icon.png
RB1 077 → 1 363 Sl icon.png
SB1 447 → 1 831 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications8 400 Rp icon.png
9 390 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost640 Ge icon.png
Crew training4 500 Sl icon.png
Experts16 000 Sl icon.png
Aces180 Ge icon.png
Research Aces190 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
30 / 70 / 150 % Sl icon.png
118 / 118 / 118 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
560 Rp icon.png
Cost:
630 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
560 Rp icon.png
Cost:
630 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
630 Rp icon.png
Cost:
710 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
790 Sl icon.png
105 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
790 Sl icon.png
105 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
910 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 000 Sl icon.png
140 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
630 Rp icon.png
Cost:
710 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
910 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 000 Sl icon.png
140 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
bmg303_belt_pack
Research:
560 Rp icon.png
Cost:
630 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
bmg303_new_gun
Research:
630 Rp icon.png
Cost:
710 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
hispano_belt_pack
Research:
700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
790 Sl icon.png
105 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
hispano_mk1_new_gun
Research:
910 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 000 Sl icon.png
140 Ge icon.png

Your priorities should be the weaponry upgrades and engine upgrades. It is suggested to research the gun upgrades first, and use engine upgrades to unlock tiers. New 7 mm MGs are not really needed since the Brownings are relatively reliable. Airframe upgrades can take priority over the 7 mm MGs. However, to really make this bird sing, you need to have the radiator upgrade and all 20 mm cannon upgrades.

Armaments

Offensive armament

Ammunition120 rounds
Fire rate600 shots/min
Ammunition1 400 rounds
Fire rate1 000 shots/min

The Spitfire Mk IIb is armed with:

  • 2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.I cannons, wing-mounted (60 rpg = 120 total)
  • 4 x 7.7 mm Browning .303 machine guns, wing-mounted (350 rpg = 1,400 total)

In continuous firing, assuming that no jams happen at all, the Hispano's ammo will dry up quicker than the 7.7 mm Brownings. However, jams do happen and the Hispanos will jam quicker than the Brownings.

Usage in battles

A Spitfire Mk IIb, perched on a hill...

The Spitfire is a high-performance thoroughbred, which is more than a match for any and all opposition it faces at 3.0. However, if you don't know what you're up against and just try to out-turn everything with flat turns, you'll be able to get kills you need to grind up the tree, but you will not be able to excel in using the plane. Something important to remember is the seven P's: Proper Perusal, Planning & Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.

In order to use your plane most effectively, you need to know your own plane almost inside-out (Perusal). In order to fight, you need to plan your every move well and have a good idea of how you're going to start your match and at what point you're going to RTB (Planning). You need to know and be prepared to fight enemies that may have better performance than you in a turn, in the vertical, in a straight line, or all three, and have tactics to combat them when necessary (Preparation).

The Spitfire Mk IIb is a very good turn-fighter, being one of the most agile aircraft in the game, and has good weapons configurations that can be used against enemies. It can reliably out-turn many of the aircraft in-game, and out-zoom-climb some as well with WEP on. It has an excellent rate of climb, and due to this and the armament, is a good bomber interceptor. Using its agility, speed, and rate of climb, it can easily run rings around enemy fighters and dispense punishing blows as well. However, there are several points to be kept in mind while flying the Spitfire Mk IIb. These are:

  1. The relatively low amount of damage that the 7.7 mm Browning machine guns put out
  2. The propensity of the 20 mm Hispanos to jam after prolonged firing
  3. Lack of any armour on the engine and (relatively) small amounts of windscreen glass armour
  4. Decreased engine power at altitudes higher than ~3900-4300 metres
  5. Proximity of vital systems towards the front of the aircraft, including a forward fuel tank that does not self-seal, and will keep burning until all the fuel inside has disappeared.
  6. Lack of combat flaps
  7. Increased efficiency of control surfaces (ailerons, elevators, rudder) at medium speeds (300 km/h-450 km/h) and engine efficiency at low altitudes (below 4,500 m)
  8. Inability to hold WEP for long before the engine begins overheating without MEC.
  9. The float carburettor, should the plane pull any negative G's, the carburettor will be fuel-starved cutting power to the engine.
  10. Similarity of the muzzle velocity of the 20 mm Hispanos and the 7.7 mm Brownings (meaning that they'll have similar trajectories- this seems unimportant, but the significance will be explained shortly.)

This fighter, unlike American and German fighters, is neither a gun platform nor a potent Boom & Zoom fighter. It is well-armed and can Boom & Zoom decently, but if an aspiring pilot tries to fly it like a P-40, the Spitfire will be shot down very, very quickly. Conversely, if a pilot tries to fly it like a Bf 109, while they might have some amounts of success, the Spitfire is outperformed as a B&Z fighter by US fighters such as the F4U-1A and German fighters such as the Bf 109. It will not be able to hold its top speed for very long due to its lacking cooling systems unless the radiator is forced open by manual engine control - which doubles or triples the WEP time when used properly (forced 100% radiator directly after takeoff). In addition, the aircraft is unable to deploy combat flaps, which means you cannot have 'reserve manoeuvrability' to out-turn a fighter in order to retreat.

Try to find lone opponents to face off against as the Spitfire performs best when facing enemies one at a time. Always keep an eye on the tactical map as your adversaries (mostly 109s) will travel in "wolf packs" and shoot you down. For fighting at low altitude stay above the opponent you have singled out and dive on them. If you have too much energy go for a high yo-yo manoeuvre to bleed your energy. 90% of the time you will easily out-manoeuvre anything you face so get on their tail and shoot them down. For high altitude fighting, try to get the altitude advantage and bait your opponent into a turn fight. Stay away from energy sapping manoeuvres as at high altitude this will lead to the Mk IIb being left a sitting duck (also stay away from 1v2s and the like).

Abuse the vertical as well as the horizontal in a fight. Use maneuvers such as yo-yos and chandelles that will bleed the speed of an enemy while allowing you to retain more speed than your enemy. Your primary opponent - Bf-109s (Primarily E-3s and E-4s, sometimes even F-4s) - perform better in the vertical than you do, so do not try to out-dive or out-climb them. Should you try to climb against a Bf-109 ending its dive and entering a loop, usually, you will bleed speed and stall out, making you a sitting duck for anybody who decides to target you. If you can, try to fly downwards instead of heading up. Make a split-S instead of an Immelmann to perform a reversal- roll inverted (upside down) and then pull hard on the elevator, looping back up to get back into a fight. Use your superior turning abilities in the semi-vertical, making chandelles instead of pure loops. You can theoretically use flat turns only, but if you get into an uptier, you'll be out-performed by Zeroes (who perform better at lower speeds) and Fw 190 A-1s (which have excellent energy retention and will still be going fast when you're stalled out in a turn). When fighting these aircraft, it is recommended that you fight less in terms of strictly up or down, but instead, plan your engagement according to whether you're travelling at a faster speed (You're outrunning them) or above/below them. When engaging these aircraft, having altitude definitely helps. Spitfires can out-dive A6M2s, and can out-turn Fw-190s. In both cases, however, if you bleed too much speed, you will be shot down due to becoming easy meat. The A6M2 stalls at a lower speed than you and also turns better at speeds below 330 km/h (205 mph), while the Fw-190, although unable to turn as fast as you do, will be able to keep its speed for longer.

Of course, to do everything that was described, it is better to have altitude before doing so. For example, you can't make a split-S from the astronomically low altitude of 200 metres (650 ft) and expect not to crash into the ground. While pilots may tell you otherwise, you should not climb to 3000m and stay there for the entire match. Remember the proverb: Speed is Life. Altitude is Speed in the Bank. Spitfire pilots should use their excellent Merlin engine to climb into the 4000m range in order to be able to gain energy when necessary to either run away or to fight an enemy.

Experienced players may recommend that you use landing flaps below 250 km/h to get an edge in turn time. Don't do this if you're a new pilot. The Spitfire IIb will slow down dramatically if you do so and you'll end up losing too much speed. Landing flaps may increase lift, but they also reduce your speed by acting as brakes by increasing drag. They also rip easily, and unless micromanaged, they will immediately rip off, leading to difficulties in controlling the plane.

Using the armaments:

A possible strategy for the Spitfire Mk IIb's set of armaments is one akin to that used on the Hurricane Mk IV, using the cannons sparingly to conserve ammo and reduce changes of jamming. Use the cannons when in the aircraft's most effective convergence range and envelope, and use the machine guns to 'sight' the cannons. Fire the machine guns tracer belts for maximum AP-I and tracer ammo to get an idea of where the cannon rounds will go, and then fire cannons once you know where you should aim. This technique works well because the Hispano cannons and the 7.7mm guns share similar muzzle velocities to one another.

The video below shows how to use the aiming technique described:

Go for deflection shots against enemy aircraft. These shots are side-on shots where you "lead" an enemy aircraft in front of you, and get off a burst when you're not directly behind them, but instead when they're turning. While this may be difficult to newer players, it provides valuable training and is a good learning experience for later tiers. In addition, should you use this technique, you can easily cause enemy planes' wings to completely fall off if you pull it off right and hit a wing spar. Bf 109s, with their single wing spars, are especially vulnerable to a well-aimed side-on shot. If your cannon ammo drops to 50 rounds or below that, try and return to base quickly. That way, if you get bounced on the way back, you can at least have some cannon ammo left to surprise any raider looking to attack you.

Fighting the enemy:

Click Expand to show

Msg-info.png Disclaimer: This is a very general guide to the aircraft's capabilities. Following these to the letter without consideration of the enemy's abilities can still lead to a loss.

Tips for using the Spitfire against other nations' fighters are as follows:

  • Japanese fighters - Japanese fighters are more nimble than you. If you enter a turn-fight with them, and the pilot is smart, he or she can and will deploy their combat flaps and shoot you down. Attempt to bait them into energy-fighting manoeuvres (otherwise known as Boom-and-zoom), where your superior speed, acceleration, and climb rate will prove you to be the victor.
  • American fighters - In mixed battle, you will face US fighters such as the F4F, the P-39s and sometimes P-47Ds (Including the German and ussian premiums) and many other aircraft which have .50 calibre machine guns. These large-calibre machine guns will shred a Spitfire to pieces if given the opportunity to fire a long, sustained burst at you, such as in a head-on engagement. Lure the enemy down and force them to lose energy, using your manoeuvrability to break the enemy's aiming solution at the last moment with manoeuvres such as the scissors and barrel rolls.
  • German fighters - German and Italian fighters will usually have cannons and hold a speed advantage over you, as well as being more capable at higher speeds and altitudes. If you head-on a German fighter, you will lose over 90% of the time, unless you are lucky and manage to land critical hits on the engine and the pilot - and this is also unlikely given that the 7.7 mm machine guns and thie hispano cannons are not known for their armour-piercing abilities. Like with American fighters, try to make the enemy bleed speed, while dodging enemy fire. You can also attempt to lure the enemy into turning with you. You may have a chance with a head-on, but this requires that you know your plane completely. Head-ons are suicide, since F-model Bf 109 Variants have their guns mounted near the engine, and the Fw 190 A-1 has an overwhelming frontal armament. Although the spitfire can shrug off a few hits from machine guns or MG FFs, it cannot survive hits from mine-shell equipped MG FF/M or MG 151/20 cannons, such as those on the Bf 109 E-4.
  • Italian fighters - Italian fighters are the high-performance counterparts of the Germans, just like the British are to the Americans. They possess either similar agility (Re.2001-series aircraft) or superior speed and energy retention in vertical maneuvers (C.202 & C.205-series aircraft). In addition, all of them are equipped with versions of the Bf-109's DB-605 engine, and they do well at high operating altitudes. Most Italian aircraft at the BR range of 2.3-3.3 are extremely poorly armed, with only two low-velocity, low-rate-of-fire Breda-SAFAT 12.7mm machine guns coupled with a pair of Breda-SAFAT 7.7 mm machine guns. However, a few aircraft- namely the Re.2001 CN and the C.202EC- have two MG 151/20 20mm cannons, making them dangerous opponents.
  • Russian fighters - Russian fighters will have cannons, large-calibre machine guns, or both, in conjunction with small-calibre guns, mounted in-line on the fuselage, but are weak and vulnerable to fires. Again, facing these head-on is suicide, and at the low altitudes you will meet them at, you cannot disengage by running or climbing away. Keep in mind that while you can turnfight, Russian fighters are very, very manoeuvrable at low altitudes. Again, like always, abuse the vertical with the horizontal. Russian planes have inferior ShVak cannons, but they have 12.7mm Berezin UBs with API ammo. Do not try to head-on them unless you know how to get your shots into the enemy's fuel tank or engines or pilot on the first try. If you let them get into firing range in a head-on, you're absolutely cooked.
  • French fighters - French fighters are a bit of a mixed bag, having some of the more heavily armed aircraft and some of the less heavily armed aircraft in the game. In general, however, they will have either cannons or heavy-calibre machine guns, and good maneuverability. Turn-fighting these aircraft is preferable to a head-on engagement. They will also do better at high altitudes and speeds. Rope-a-dope them into fighting you on your own terms at lower speeds and altitudes where you'll have a chance. In addition, they have low ammo count (60 rounds for cannons and 300-500 for machine guns), just like you do, so try and make them waste their ammo.

Specific enemies of note:

Click Expand to show

  • BV 238 - Don't face these things from above, level, or from the rear. The massive amounts of defence armaments on this flying boat will ensure the Spitfire will be shot down. They're also massive - but not impossible to shoot down. The only reasonable chance of shooting the BV 238 down is via aiming for the cockpit at the front (very hard), or by aiming at the wings. The process to do this is to get to its rear and dive down below the enemy, corkscrewing and rolling and skidding across the sky seemingly at random and get within 600 metres of it and approximately a hundred metres below. Start firing machine guns at the wings. Once closed into 400 metres, fire the cannons. Once you set fire to a BV, usually, it will not go out
  • A6M2 - These nimble fighters may have low-velocity cannons, but they can easily out-turn you with combat flaps and stay with you in a fight, and out-turn you with flaps on. Don't even bother trying to turn-fight them. Use boom-and-zoom manoeuvres. Even if the enemy pilot wants to, the A6M2's climb rate is not very good compared to the Spitfire, and it will not be able to keep up. Get at least 2 km away from the enemy before you go in again, or at least wait until it is distracted by another enemy.
  • I-153P "Chaika" - The I-153P is a 3.0 Russian biplane from the late 1930s. These small biplanes will rip you to shreds if you don't play smart. These biplanes have an insane turn rate and will effortlessly out-turn you without any flaps. They are armed with two 20 mm ShVAK cannons that will obliterate you if you present a side-on profile to them (i.e. let them get a "deflection" shot on you), and they can destroy you in a head-on if you're not careful. To counter these aircraft you do not engage in a turn fight, instead you energy fight (a recommended tactic is to use yo-yos and to out-climb/out-speed the enemy) as your Spitfire is much faster, has an excellent climb rate, and has superior energy retention.
  • Bf 109 E-1/Bf 109 E-3/Bf 109 E-4 - These planes have superior high-altitude performance, top speed, dive characteristics, as well as two centrally mounted machine guns and two cannons. However, you can outclimb them at low altitudes. You may find it hard to out-turn them, though. Trying to out-turn a Bf 109 is harder than it seems, since the two planes are both very agile. Abuse the vertical to get a definite edge on them. Use low-yo-yos and high-yo-yos to gain the altitude or speed advantage over a turning Bf 109.
  • Bf 109 F-1/Bf 109 F-2/Bf 109 F-4 - These aircraft climb, accelerate and dive faster than you. However, they will find it much harder to out-turn you. Use split-S's to get under them and a combination of high/low yo-yos. If one tries to engage in a head-on, fire off a desultory burst of MG fire and hope to hit something, and immediately dive and try to get under it. If you lock into a head-on, it is likely that they will hit your cooling system and your engine will die, along with your plane.
  • Fw 190 A-1 - This aircraft has a similar turn radius to you, but superior acceleration, (arguably) superior armament, superior high-altitude performance and better top speed than you do, but a worse rate of climb. You can turn faster than it, but you can't out-turn it per se. Don't get baited into a turn-fight. You should have the altitude advantage, since most Fw 190 pilots stay low (3500-ish m), where their engine does best. You can out-climb them when they're slow, so try and energy fight them. Just don't use loops, since the Fw 190 will happily slice and dice you when you're in a loop using its superior energy retention. Don't turn-fight it, since it'll make you bleed speed and subsequently use its superior energy retention to turn and burn for longer periods of time and eventually get on your six and shoot you down in flames. This plane has the feared "minengeschoß" (Mine shot) round for its 20mm cannons, and four machine guns, so do not head-on this plane.
  • C.202EC - This aircraft is easily the most dangerous enemy that you will ever face. It brings excellent armament, top speed, energy retention and dive characteristics to the table, along with excellent high-altitude performance and climb rate. Do not head-on this plane. This aircraft has two MG151/20s with Mine shot, and will absolutely shred you into pieces should you enter a head-on. C.202EC pilots are usually confident in their abilities to chop enemy aircraft into pieces in a head-on, and some (including this contributor) will actively seek it. It also has two 12.7mm machine guns, centrally mounted in the nose, which can do some damage if the C.202 can get close. You can out-turn a C.202EC, and possibly out-climb it, but not much else. The C.202EC does best at high speeds and high altitudes, so try and bring things into your favour. Force it into a low-speed fight, or bait it towards other friends who are better able to deal with it.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled
Not controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Not auto controlled
Separate Not controllable
1 gear
Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Absolutely amazing turn capabilities, even at low speeds
  • Superb climb capabilities
  • Relatively good armament with a 20 mm and 7.7 mm combination arrangement
  • Very easy aircraft to control
  • Good acceleration
  • Short bursts can decimate the enemy, even bombers if aimed correctly

Cons:

  • 7.7 mm machine guns have low damage and stopping power
  • Cannons have a low ammo count in general - just enough for 6 seconds of firing
  • Hispano Mk.I 20 mm has a tendency to jam under continuous firing when not upgraded
  • Hispano cannons may be finicky to use if you are not able to aim them well
  • Due to aforementioned weapon disadvantages, proper trigger discipline, convergence, and knowing the effective cone of fire is key
  • Wings overload quickly when turning at high speeds
  • Most enemy contemporaries at the 2.3-3.3 matchmaking range can out-dive you
  • Low dive speed limit
  • Poor roll rate, especially at high speed
  • Poor high-altitude performance (compared to lower altitudes)
  • Engines easily overheat
  • The only position for flaps is in landing mode

History

In-game description

The Supermarine Spitfire was a British fighter which served with various nations from the late 1930's up into the 1950's. It was a single-engine, all-metal, low-wing monoplane with retractable landing gear. Various modifications served as fighters, interceptors, high-altitude fighters, fighter-bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. A total of some 20,300 Spitfires of all types were built during the war, including two-seater trainers.

In the summer of 1939, an early Spitfire Mk I was fitted with the new Rolls Royce Merlin XII engine, which had a higher output of 1175 HP and was fitted with a Coffman engine starter instead of the previous Merlin's electrical starter system. This, combined with the Rotol variable pitch propeller which had been used on many Spitfire Mk Is would now form the powerplant of the new Spitfire Mk II, although some production models used the De Havilland propeller. The Mk II was some 6-7 mph faster than the later Spitfire Mk I, but still slower than the original Spitfires before a series of modifications increased the aircraft's weight. As with the Mk I, the Spitfire Mk II was produced with either eight machine guns as the Spitfire Mk IIA, or two 20mm cannon and four machine guns as the Mk IIb. The earlier problems with cannon fitted to the Mk IB had now been solved by introducing a belt feed system to the weapon to replace the earlier drum, turning the cannon on its side and fitting a blister on the wing to house the new mechanism.

920 Spitfire Mk IIs entered service; 750 Mk IIA and 170 MK IIB, although fighters used in the air-sea rescue role were later designated Mk IIC. The Spitfire II quickly replaced the Spitfire I, with the older variant being relegated to use in Operational Training Units. By April 1941, RAF Fighter Command had completed re-equipping with the Mk II, although this too would soon be replaced by the Mk V.

Media

See also

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) · Spitfire LF Mk.IXe Weizman's
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

Britain fighters
Fury  Fury Mk I · Fury Mk II
Nimrod  Nimrod Mk I · Nimrod Mk II
Gladiator  Gladiator Mk II · Tuck's Gladiator Mk II · Gladiator Mk IIF · Gladiator Mk IIS
Sea Gladiator  Sea Gladiator Mk I
Hurricane  Hurricane Mk I/L · Hurricane Mk.I/L FAA M · Hurricane Mk IIB/Trop
Sea Hurricane  Sea Hurricane Mk IB · Sea Hurricane Mk IC
Martin-Baker  MB.5
Spitfire (early-Merlin)  Spitfire Mk Ia · Spitfire Mk IIa · Spitfire Mk.IIa Venture I · Spitfire Mk IIb · Spitfire Mk Vb/trop · Spitfire Mk Vb · Spitfire Mk Vc/trop · Spitfire Mk Vc
Spitfire (late-Merlin)  Spitfire F Mk IX · Spitfire LF Mk IX · Spitfire F Mk IXc · Plagis' Spitfire LF Mk IXc · Spitfire F Mk XVI
Spitfire (Griffon)  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
Seafire  Seafire LF Mk.III · Seafire F Mk XVII · Seafire FR 47
Typhoon  Typhoon Mk Ia · Typhoon Mk Ib · Typhoon Mk Ib/L
Tempest  Tempest Mk II · Tempest Mk V
Sea Fury  Sea Fury FB 11
Twin-engine fighters  Hornet Mk.I · Hornet Mk.III · Whirlwind Mk I · Whirlwind P.9
  Foreign:
Australia  ▄Boomerang Mk I · ▄Boomerang Mk II
France  ▄D.520 · ▄D.521
USA  ▄Martlet Mk IV · ▄Corsair F Mk II · ▄Hellcat Mk II · ▄Thunderbolt Mk.1 · ▄Mustang Mk IA