SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE VB

Manufacturer       (Principal):                                                                               Supermarine Division of Vickers-Armstrongs in factories at, Southampton, Winchester, Swindon and Castle Bromwich.
  
                   (Subcontracted to):Variously sub-contracted.
  
Manufacturer DesignationF37 / 34
  
Aircraft Mk.VB
  
RAF Designation:VB
  
Construction:All – metal monocoque
  
Crew:One
  
Wing Span:36ft. 10in.
  
Length:                                    29ft. 11in.
  
Height:                                    (1)11ft. 5in.
  
Engine:Merlin 45 / 46 / 50 / 50A
  
Fuel: 
  
        Internal Tanks                  (2)122 gallons.
  
        Supplemental Tanks        (2)14 gallon Slipper-type drop tanks (2 Nr.) 1 under each wing.
  
Maximum: 
  
Weight: 
  
Empty:                                  5,029lbs
  
Loaded:                                 6,650lb.
  
Range:500 miles.
  
Bomb Load:N/A
  
Armament: 
 20mm Hispano cannon (2 Nr.) 1in each wing.
  
 ·303 Browning machine gun (4 Nr.) 2 in each wing
                                                                   
Speed: 
  
Maximum:374mph. at 13,000ft.
  
Cruising:                                 (3)272 mph at 5,000 ft.
  
Service Ceiling Height:37,200ft.
  
Initial Rate of Climb:7.5mins. to 20,000ft.
  
  
  
Bradwell Bay Service: 
  
Squadron:278
  
Motto:Ex mare ad referiendum – From out of the sea to strike again
  
Code:MY
  
Dates:April – September 1944
  
Missions:Air – Sea – Rescue spotter aircraft
  
Squadron:278 (Detachment to RAF Martlesham Heath)
  
Motto:Ex mare ad referiendum – From out of the sea to strike again
  
Code:MY
  
Dates:April – September 1944
  
Missions:Air – Sea – Rescue spotter aircraft
  
Colour Scheme.                      (4)Standard RAF Camouflage with Matt Dark Green and Matt Dark Earth upper surfaces. Matt Beige Green lower surfaces.
  
Aircraft Nickname/s:             (5)Shrew – is what R. J. Mitchell wanted call it, he thought Spitfire to be a “dammed silly” name. 
  
 Spit.
 
Technical data: Aircraft of the RAF 1918 by Owen  Thetford and Jane’s Fighting Aircraft of World War II
(1)  http://www.historicaircraftcollection.ltd.uk/
(2) http://www.wardrawings.be/
(3) www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_spitfire_mkV.html
(4) Humbrol Paints
(5) www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3132500/