Supermarine 360 Spitfire HF.VIIIc Aircraft Data
The appearance of the Fw 190 over France and southern England came as quite a shock as the new German machine was in most respects superior to the Spitfire Mk.V. As a consequence, improvements to the Spitfire were pushed ahead. The Type 360* Mk.VIII was to be fitted with the new more powerful Merlin 61, had a stronger airframe, featured a retractable tailwheel and additional fuel capacity in the wing leading edges. The early Mk.VIIIs were produced with pointed (high altitude) wings, but the majority had standard span wings. In all 1,652** Spitfire VIIIs were produced, serving in 30 squadrons.
At the time the Mk.VIII began reaching the squadrons, the RAF introduced role prefixes for her aircraft, the three main versions became F.VIII, LF.VIII and HF.VIII and referred to the optimal altitude for the version, but in fact the prefixes pointed to the Merlin variant installed.
Engines for the F.VIII:
Merlin 61 (1,565hp/1,167kW); Merlin 63 (1,710hp/1,275kW).
Engine for the LF.VIII:
Two-speed, two-stage Merlin 66 (1,720hp/1,282kW).
Engine for the HF.VIII:
Two-speed, two-stage Merlin 70 (1,950hp/1,1,454kW).
* Supermarine allocated Type 360 to all production Mk.VIIIs, whereas the prototype for this mark, JF299, had Type 359 allocated.
** some sources quote the number produced as 1,658 aircraft. This number could include the 6 aircraft destined to test the new Rolls Royce Griffon 61 and 62 engine (serials JF316-321). These aircraft were unofficially known as Mk.VIIIg and by Supermarine as Type 369.
At the time the Mk.VIII began reaching the squadrons, the RAF introduced role prefixes for her aircraft, the three main versions became F.VIII, LF.VIII and HF.VIII and referred to the optimal altitude for the version, but in fact the prefixes pointed to the Merlin variant installed.
Engines for the F.VIII:
Merlin 61 (1,565hp/1,167kW); Merlin 63 (1,710hp/1,275kW).
Engine for the LF.VIII:
Two-speed, two-stage Merlin 66 (1,720hp/1,282kW).
Engine for the HF.VIII:
Two-speed, two-stage Merlin 70 (1,950hp/1,1,454kW).
* Supermarine allocated Type 360 to all production Mk.VIIIs, whereas the prototype for this mark, JF299, had Type 359 allocated.
** some sources quote the number produced as 1,658 aircraft. This number could include the 6 aircraft destined to test the new Rolls Royce Griffon 61 and 62 engine (serials JF316-321). These aircraft were unofficially known as Mk.VIIIg and by Supermarine as Type 369.
- Country of Origin: United Kingdom
- First Flight: 20 November 1942
- Initial Service Date: November 1942
- No. Built: 1,652
- No. In Service: 0 (approx.)
- No. of Hardpoints: 3
- Crew: 1
Power:
Rolls Royce Merlin 61 at 1,565 hp
Weapons:
Spitfire F.VIII: Two 20mm Hispano cannon with 120 rounds each and four 0.303 Browning machine guns with 350 rounds per gun.
Spitfire LF.VIII: Two 20mm Hispano cannon with 120 rounds each and four 0.303 Browning machine guns with 350 rounds per gun, or four 20mm Hispano cannon (120 rounds each) plus capacity to carry 1,000lbs of bombs: one 500lb bomb on the centreline rack and two 250lbs bombs under the wings.
Spitfire HF.VIII: Two 20mm Hispano cannon with 120 rounds each and four 0.303 Browning machine guns with 350 rounds per gun, or four 20mm Hispano cannon (120 rounds each) plus capacity to carry 1,000lbs of bombs: one 500lb bomb on the centreline rack and two 250lbs bombs under the wings.
Spitfire LF.VIII: Two 20mm Hispano cannon with 120 rounds each and four 0.303 Browning machine guns with 350 rounds per gun, or four 20mm Hispano cannon (120 rounds each) plus capacity to carry 1,000lbs of bombs: one 500lb bomb on the centreline rack and two 250lbs bombs under the wings.
Spitfire HF.VIII: Two 20mm Hispano cannon with 120 rounds each and four 0.303 Browning machine guns with 350 rounds per gun, or four 20mm Hispano cannon (120 rounds each) plus capacity to carry 1,000lbs of bombs: one 500lb bomb on the centreline rack and two 250lbs bombs under the wings.
Dimensions:
| Length: | 31 ft. 3 in. |
| Wing Span: | 36 ft. 10 in. |
| Wing Area: | 231 sq.ft |
| Height: | 11 ft. 8 in. |
| Internal Fuel: | 632.90 lbs |
Performance:
| Max. Speed: | 408 mph |
| Service Ceiling: | 43,000 ft. |
| Max. Range: | 660 nm |
Operators:
Argentina (only 1 aircraft: F.VIIIc JF275)Australia (251 LF.VIIIc and 159 HF.VIIIc)
Canada
France (19 aircraft on loan)
India (14 LF.VIIIc)
South Africa (34 F.VIIIc)
United Kingdom
USA
Random great photos of the Supermarine 360 Spitfire HF.VIIIc:
