Best overall Spitfire armament? - Aircraft of World War II

Oreo · 07-26-2008, 10:10 PM

The Spitfire was manufactured throughout the entire war, and with various gun combinations as the war went on. I will post the gun arrangements I am familiar with and you can vote for the best.

Here's where it gets interesting. "Best" doesn't have to mean "the biggest thump," it can also mean "best all-around." You have to remember that the Spitfire was a light-weight dog-fighting aircraft, and equipment weight was at a premium, as was drag. The heavier the guns were, the less maneuverable it could be. Also, cannons were not always the best for every job, as they were harder to aim in a dogfight, and fired more slowly, meaning they were less likely to hit a gyrating target.

Now, I just know somebody's going to remember some obscure Spitfire armament I've forgotten about or never heard of. That's life. If you choose "other", please tell us on the thread what that "other" was, and verify that the Spit actually used such armament in squadron service.

kool kitty89 · 07-27-2008, 01:12 AM

Also most of the earlier spitfires were not stable in firing 4x 20mm Hispanos. (the recoil twisted the wings and upset aim and sighting) Late models had a wing redesign that was better suited iirc and were more stable in firing. (the Mk.21 onward had 4x 20's as the standard armament)

I think the best all around armament was the 2x Hispanos and 2x .50's.

Oreo · 07-27-2008, 01:47 AM

A good poll, I think! There have been votes for all but the photo-recon armament, and I don't really expect any votes for it! Also the 4 .303's I believe were used by the very first Spit Mk I's.

Oreo · 07-27-2008, 01:49 AM

By the way, this was a matter of great debate during the war. Douglas Bader, for instance, stood up for the .303, and is probably a big part of why they made the 2 and 4 wing rather than going to 4 20's as on Hurricane IIC.

kool kitty89 · 07-27-2008, 02:12 AM

I think only the prototype Spitfires Mk.I's had the 4x gun wing, all production I's had the 8.

Juha · 07-27-2008, 06:18 AM

I agree with Kool Kitty and voted for E-wing.

Juha

lesofprimus · 07-27-2008, 09:04 AM

Voted for the 2x .50's and 2x 20mm... Im not a fan of the .303 cartridge for destroying aircraft...

Wayne Little · 07-27-2008, 09:10 AM

I'm going with the 50's and the 20mm too!

View Poll Results: Best overall Spitfire armament?
four .303 Brownings	0	0%
eight .303 Brownings	2	8.70%
four .303 Brownings, two 20mm Hispano's	5	21.74%
two .50 Brownings, two 20mm Hispanos	12	52.17%
four 20mm Hispanos	4	17.39%
other, please explain.	0	0%
Voters: 23. You may not vote on this poll

07-26-2008, 10:10 PM	#1
Oreo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 277	Best overall Spitfire armament? The Spitfire was manufactured throughout the entire war, and with various gun combinations as the war went on. I will post the gun arrangements I am familiar with and you can vote for the best. Here's where it gets interesting. "Best" doesn't have to mean "the biggest thump," it can also mean "best all-around." You have to remember that the Spitfire was a light-weight dog-fighting aircraft, and equipment weight was at a premium, as was drag. The heavier the guns were, the less maneuverable it could be. Also, cannons were not always the best for every job, as they were harder to aim in a dogfight, and fired more slowly, meaning they were less likely to hit a gyrating target. Now, I just know somebody's going to remember some obscure Spitfire armament I've forgotten about or never heard of. That's life. If you choose "other", please tell us on the thread what that "other" was, and verify that the Spit actually used such armament in squadron service.

07-27-2008, 09:04 AM	#7
lesofprimus Minister of Whoopass Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Long Island Native in Mississippi Posts: 17,499	Voted for the 2x .50's and 2x 20mm... Im not a fan of the .303 cartridge for destroying aircraft... __________________ My IL2 Video Tribute to My Grandfather: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtzN5RuNNJk

07-27-2008, 09:10 AM	#8
Wayne Little Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Adelaide Sth. Aust. Posts: 12,511	I'm going with the 50's and the 20mm too! __________________

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07-27-2008, 01:12 AM	#2
kool kitty89 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,412	Also most of the earlier spitfires were not stable in firing 4x 20mm Hispanos. (the recoil twisted the wings and upset aim and sighting) Late models had a wing redesign that was better suited iirc and were more stable in firing. (the Mk.21 onward had 4x 20's as the standard armament) I think the best all around armament was the 2x Hispanos and 2x .50's.

07-27-2008, 01:47 AM	#3
Oreo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 277	A good poll, I think! There have been votes for all but the photo-recon armament, and I don't really expect any votes for it! Also the 4 .303's I believe were used by the very first Spit Mk I's.

07-27-2008, 01:49 AM	#4
Oreo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 277	By the way, this was a matter of great debate during the war. Douglas Bader, for instance, stood up for the .303, and is probably a big part of why they made the 2 and 4 wing rather than going to 4 20's as on Hurricane IIC.

07-27-2008, 02:12 AM	#5
kool kitty89 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,412	I think only the prototype Spitfires Mk.I's had the 4x gun wing, all production I's had the 8.

07-27-2008, 06:18 AM	#6
Juha Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Helsinki Posts: 1,359	I agree with Kool Kitty and voted for E-wing. Juha