Spitfire Mk Va X1992, prototype fitted with a tropical filter, December 1941

Spitfire Mk Va X1992, prototype fitted with a tropical filter, December 1941

Spitfire Mk Va X1992, prototype fitted with a tropical filter, December 1941

Spitfire Mk Va Specification:

  • Type No.: 331
  • Total produced: 94 units

Dimensions:

  • Span: 36 ft 10 in (11.23 m)
  • Length: 29 ft 11 in (9.12 m)
  • Height: 11 ft 5½ in (3.48 m) [Tip of Propeller, Tail Up]

Engine Options:

  • Primary Engine:
    • 1,440 hp (1,074 kW) Rolls-Royce Merlin 45
    • Alternate options: 1,190 hp Merlin 46, 1,230 hp Merlin 50, or 1,210 hp Merlin 50A

Weights:

  • Empty Weight: 4,998 lb (2,267 kg)
  • Maximum Take-Off Weight: 6,417 lb (2,911 kg)

Performance:

  • Maximum Speed: 369 mph (594 km/h) at 19,500 ft (5,945 m)
  • Service Ceiling: 36,500 ft (11,109 m)
  • Range: 1,135 miles (1,827 km)

Fuel:

  • Fuel Type: 100 Octane
  • Fuel Capacity:
    • Main Fuselage Tanks:
      • Upper: 48 Imp Gal (218 liters)
      • Lower: 37 Imp Gal (168 liters)
    • Auxiliary Tanks:
      • Options of 30 Imp Gal (136 liters), 90 Imp Gal (409 liters), or 170 Imp Gal (773 liters)
      • Optional 29 Imp Gal (132 liters) rear fuselage tank, only with 170 Imp Gal auxiliary tank

Armament:

  • Primary: Eight 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns

Cockpit:

  • Unpressurized, with internal bulletproof glass

Tailwheel:

  • Fixed

Propeller Options:

  1. Rotol: Three-blade, Variable-pitch, Constant-speed, Dural, 10 ft 9 in diameter
  2. de Havilland: Three-blade, Variable-pitch, Constant-speed, Hydromatic
  3. de Havilland: Three-blade, Variable-pitch, Constant-speed, Bracket type

Gunsight:

  • GM.2 Reflector

The Mk Va was a development of the earlier Spitfire models, powered by the improved Merlin 45 engine, with slightly enhanced performance characteristics. The aircraft retained the eight Browning machine-gun armament typical of early Spitfires.


Published at 950 × 659 px.
Link to full-size photo:
Spitfire Mk Va X1992, prototype fitted with a tropical filter, December 1941

Site statistics:
Photos of World War II: over 26800
aircraft: 63 models
tanks: 59 models
vehicles: 59 models
guns: 3 models
units: 2
ships: 47
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equipment: -