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Thread: 1942 Air Ministry document on Spitfire V engine handling

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    1942 Air Ministry document on Spitfire V engine handling

    I came across this 1942 memo from the Air Tactics department of the Air Ministry the other day. Thought it may be an interesting read for anyone who flies Spitfires, particularly the Spitfire V, though the memo also states that in essence the information applies equally in principle to all allied fighter aircraft. The memo includes an engine settings chart. I've had a crack at flying the various settings in the sim and ASI, boost and revs do seem to correlate with the chart. I'm assuming that fuel usage will too. It could be a useful guide for fuel economy on longer flights.
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    Combat pilot Dawson's Avatar
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    Re: 1942 Air Ministry document on Spitfire V engine handling

    Thanks for this. It'll be interesting to compare the fuel consumption in the table to the fuel consumption mission script in game.

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    Re: 1942 Air Ministry document on Spitfire V engine handling

    Very interesting document!

    One small thing to note, visible also in other manuals, the RPM for the continuous cruising are 2650 (and not 2700 as we are often used to using in-game). 2650-2850-3000 were the three typical rev. settings in Merlins; in addition to those for saving fuel in the above document.

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    TF Leadership RAF74_Buzzsaw's Avatar
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    Re: 1942 Air Ministry document on Spitfire V engine handling

    This advisory was put out at the time the FW-190A was dominating the fight over the Channel and prior to the Spit IX being introduced in large enough numbers.

    The FW-190A had a higher cruise speed and better acceleration, better altitude performance when compared to the Spit V, so any Spitfire V formation which was at the typical low speed cruise settings could be attacked and suffer losses before it had time to react.

    For that reason, the advisory suggests maintaining a high cruise speed in the combat zone... even if it results in poorer fuel economy and lower endurance.

    This advisory became out of date by after the Spit IX came into large scale service. Even though it mentions 'all' aircraft, the advisory really does not apply to the early Typhoons which had similar speed and acceleration as the FW-190A.

    But yes, when the FW-190A comes into play, any player in a Spit V would be wise to keep a good head of steam on in the combat zone, or else they might find themselves bounced without warning.

    Sometimes it is not apparent to those playing games... but aircraft normal cruise speeds were very important... those aircraft with high cruise speeds had a distinct advantage.

    This is one of the reasons why the P-51B/C/D were so effective, they could cruise at quite high speeds while maintaining excellent fuel economy.

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    Re: 1942 Air Ministry document on Spitfire V engine handling

    This advisory was put out at the time the FW-190A was dominating the fight over the Channel and prior to the Spit IX being introduced in large enough numbers.

    The FW-190A had a higher cruise speed and better acceleration, better altitude performance when compared to the Spit V, so any Spitfire V formation which was at the typical low speed cruise settings could be attacked and suffer losses before it had time to react.

    For that reason, the advisory suggests maintaining a high cruise speed in the combat zone... even if it results in poorer fuel economy and lower endurance.

    This advisory became out of date by after the Spit IX came into large scale service. Even though it mentions 'all' aircraft, the advisory really does not apply to the early Typhoons which had similar speed and acceleration as the FW-190A.

    But yes, when the FW-190A comes into play, any player in a Spit V would be wise to keep a good head of steam on in the combat zone, or else they might find themselves bounced without warning.

    Sometimes it is not apparent to those playing games... but aircraft normal cruise speeds were very important... those aircraft with high cruise speeds had a distinct advantage.

    This is one of the reasons why the P-51B/C/D were so effective, they could cruise at quite high speeds while maintaining excellent fuel economy.

    The FW-190A had the cruise speed advantage in 1942.

    The aircraft with the higher cruise speed is continually overtaking its slower opposition.... it is coming up behind the opponent... with the opponent in its front view... where it is easier to spot contacts.

    The aircraft with the higher cruise is much less likely to be bounced from behind, unless the opponent has a significant height advantage.... but the spotting window of opportunity is less because the aircraft with the faster cruise is moving away.

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