Supermarine 349 Spitfire LF.Vc Aircraft Data

With 2,467 aircraft produced, the Spitfire Vc's most obvious modification to the basic Spitfire V airframe was the universal wing, allowing the type to be equipped with different armament. The most potent configuration, the C-wing, with four 20mm cannon, however resulted in a performance reduction, caused by the drag of the wing blisters and cannon muzzles.

Of the Spitfire Va, only 94 aircraft were produced, whilst the Vb production totalled 3,911 aircraft. The first operational unit to receive the Spitfire V was No. 92 Squadron at RAF Biggin Hill, followed by No. 91 Squadron. In October 1941 the first Spitfire Vc's became operational.


Engines for the Vc and Vc (Trop):
Merlin 46 (1,190hp/875kW); Merlin 50 (1,470hp/1,097kW); Merlin 50A (1,185hp/884kW). The addition of a new carburettor to the Merlin 45 created the Merlin 50 series. Late production Mk.Vs used the Merlin 50, 55 and 56, optimised for high altitude flying.

Engines for the LF.Vc and LF.Vc (Trop):
Merlin 45M (1,470hp/1,096kW); Merlin 50M (1,470hp/1,096kW); Merlin 55M (1,580hp/1,162kW). The M-suffix indicating that the blades of the superchargers of the engines had been cropped to optimise the aircraft for low-level operations.