Spitfire F Mk XVI

This page is about the British fighter Spitfire F Mk XVI. For other versions, see Spitfire (Family).

Spitfire F Mk XVI

Spitfire F Mk IX

Spitfire Mk Vc/trop

Spitfire F Mk XVI

Spitfire F Mk IX

Spitfire Mk Vc/trop

Britain

III Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
4.7	5.0	5.0

Class:

Fighter

Research:13 000

Purchase:76 000

Description

The final Merlin-powered variant of the Spitfire, the Spitfire F Mk XVI was a Spitfire LF Mk IX equipped with the Packard Merlin 266 engine, a Rolls-Royce Merlin 66 licence-built by the American Packard Motor Company. Notably, the model represented in-game features the new "E-type" wings, which allowed either an all-cannon arrangement like the C-type or installation of M2 Browning heavy machine guns. These could also be "clipped", removing the wingtips to improve low-altitude characteristics at the cost of high-altitude manoeuvrability.

In the game since the start of the Open Beta Test, the Spitfire F Mk XVI is a very unique plane with an awkwardly unique role and design. Virtually identical to the Spitfire LF Mk IX, aside from the clipped wings and bubble cockpit, the Mk XVI combines the low-altitude capabilities of the aforementioned fighter with the fantastic roll, dive, and speed capabilities of the German Focke-Wulfe 190 series. The clipped wings give the Mk XVI a great roll rate and amazing dive and level speed and acceleration. However, compared to similar Merlin Spitfires, the turn rate is far worse, higher-altitude performance is abysmal, and climb performance is worse, though marginally. In terms of armament, the two M2 Brownings also provide a significant increase in firepower compared to the previous quad .303 Browning setup.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed

at 6 098 m651 km/h

Turn time19 s

Max altitude11 000 m

EngineRolls-Royce Merlin-266

TypeInline

Cooling systemWater

Take-off weight4 t

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 6,098 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	624	604	11000	21.0	21.8	17.5	17.5	390
Upgraded	683	651		18.7	19.8	29.2	22.3

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	+	-
774	260	N/A	N/A	260	~9	~5

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
3,400 m	1,380 hp	1,766 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
7,200 m	1,190 hp	1,523 hp

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural774 km/h

Gear260 km/h

• 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen
• 4 mm Steel plate in pilot's seat
• 3-7 mm Steel plate behind the pilot
• 6 mm Steel plate in front of liquid cooling system
• 1 mm Steel plate in front of fuel tanks
• 3 mm Steel boxes around wing ammunition

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB1 024 → 1 332

RB2 472 → 3 216

SB3 685 → 4 794

Total cost of modifications24 500

44 300

Talisman cost1 100

Crew training22 000

Experts76 000

Aces500

Research Aces320 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

60 / 140 / 300 %

142 / 142 / 142 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Research: 1 200 Cost: 2 200 120 Radiator Research: 1 200 Cost: 2 200 120 Compressor Research: 1 400 Cost: 2 500 140 Wings repair Research: 1 500 Cost: 2 700 150 Engine Research: 1 500 Cost: 2 700 150 Engine injection Research: 2 700 Cost: 4 900 270	Airframe Research: 1 400 Cost: 2 500 140 Cover Research: 2 700 Cost: 4 900 270	bmg50_belt_pack Research: 1 200 Cost: 2 200 120 hispano_belt_pack Research: 1 200 Cost: 2 200 120 bmg50raf_new_gun Research: 1 400 Cost: 2 500 140 hispano_mk2_new_gun Research: 1 400 Cost: 2 500 140 SBC mark 25 Research: 1 500 Cost: 2 700 150 Mk.II year 1942 Research: 1 500 Cost: 2 700 150 Mk.II year 1943 Research: 2 700 Cost: 4 900 270

Armaments

Offensive armament

Weapon 12 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannon

Ammunition270 rounds

Fire rate600 shots/min

Weapon 22 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun

Ammunition520 rounds

Fire rate750 shots/min

The Spitfire F Mk XVI is armed with:

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

Suspended armament

List of setups (1)

Setup 12 x G.P. 250 lb Mk.IV bomb

The Spitfire F Mk XVI can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 2 x 250 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (500 lb total)

Usage in battles

A concerned Fw 190 pilot watching the Spitfire F Mk XVI tailing him.

The Spitfire F Mk XVI is quite unique with its clipped wings. These give this version of the Spitfire a distinct advantage in roll rate, dive performance, and level top speed. However, they reduce the plane's ability to turn, and unlike other Merlin Spitfires this one is only average in its turning ability. Thankfully, it retains a good climb rate, even if it is not as high as that of the unclipped Spitfire variants. In addition, the clipped wings reduce lift at high altitudes, so performance is best when closer to sea level.

Thanks to a great roll rate, this Spitfire is very capable in defensive manoeuvres, and although turn rate is decreased, the boost in roll speed make this a great dogfighter as well.

This vehicle maximizes its performance at low altitudes. Below 1500 m, it has an incredible climb rate, very good top speed and acceleration, great dive performance, and generally outmatches its opponents. Still, there are some American and German planes that can outspeed and outdive this plane (especially since it locks up and may rip at high speeds), and the unclipped Merlin Spitfires outclimb this one.

This plane is equipped with 2 x 20 mm cannons and 2 x 12.7 mm machine guns. These are effective against fighters but may struggle against large planes such as heavy bombers. They can't destroy well-armoured ground targets, but can destroy lightly armoured ground targets and open-topped vehicles. Since all of these guns are wing-mounted, convergence should be kept in mind. A good convergence setting is usually between 300 and 500 m. Since cannon ammunition is somewhat limited, firing the 12.7 mm machine guns alone can be a good way to visualize the lead required to shoot enemies at longer ranges.

The Spitfire can also mount 2 x 250 lb bombs for destroying ground targets. These are quite small and must be aimed precisely to destroy the target. While this plane can be used in Ground Realistic battles, the fact that it can only carry 2 small bombs reduces its anti-ground capabilities. Instead, this plane can work as an air-superiority fighter in mixed battles.

The Spitfire F Mk XVI can rightly be considered a jack of all trades. It has some limited ground-attack capacity, decent guns, and flight characteristics that don't stand out in any one aspect. With a great roll rate; good dive and climb performance; and good energy retention, speed, and acceleration; this vehicle is a great low-altitude fighter as long as its weaknesses are understood.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Controllable Auto control available	Not controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Auto control available	Combined	Controllable 2 gears	Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Good climb rate, albeit lower than non-clipped wing variants
• Great roll rate
• Great dive acceleration
• Better dive speed than other Merlin Spitfires
• Better turning ability that most of its German and American counterparts
• New M2 HMGs are far more effective than the Browning .303s
• Good 20 mm cannons
• Ability to mount bombs for a ground attack option
• Slightly better simulator visibility due to its bubble cockpit
• Stock parts are not as bad as some other rank IV or V planes, such as the P-51D-5, Ki-84 and Late Bf 109s

Cons:

• Worse turning ability than all other Merlin Spitfires
• Worse dive speed than its German and American counterparts
• Poor performance at high altitude
• Relatively low rip speed (650 km/h)
• Low wing lift efficiency when at high altitudes or speeds under 320 km/h (200 mph)
• Goes through fuel very quickly on WEP for a prop plane, you might have to return for fuel with sustained WEP usage.

History

Archive of the in-game description

The Supermarine Spitfire was a British single-engine, all-metal, low-wing monoplane fighter. Various modifications served as fighters, interceptors, high-altitude fighters, fighter-bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. The Mk XVI variant was very similar to the Mk IX; however, it was powered by a US-manufactured Packard Merlin 266 engine. A total of 1,054 Spitfires of this variant were produced. All production variants had the distinguishing feature of low-altitude clipped wings and a cut down rear fuselage and bubble canopy for increased visibility. The clipped wings increased the roll rate and top speed due to a reduction in drag, but sacrificed some of the fighter's climb rate. This, coupled with an engine optimised for efficiency in denser air made the Mk XVI ideally suited to combat at lower altitudes.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Spitfire F Mk XVI from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

The Shooting Range #95 - Metal Beasts section at 00:57 discusses the Spitfire F Mk XVI.

See also

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;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

• Official data sheet - more details about the performance