SPITFIRE HFVIII

[keith A]

I have seen examples of these with the extended wingtips in use by 417, 145, 92 and 601 Squadrons but did any other DAF squadrons use these Spitfires?

best regards

Keith

[Graham Boak]

32 Sq certainly did have four Mk.VIIIs, and a photo shows one with the extended tips. 81 took its Mk.VIIIs to India but didn't (AFAIK) operated them with the DAF. There's a long list of Mk.VIII squadrons to check, but are you asking just for Mk.VIIIs or specifically those with the extended tips? They were not HF variants but standard F with the Merlin 63. The intention was that such aircraft were all fitted with the extended tips, but in combat these were found to cause excessive stresses in the wing roots, leading to failures and the scrapping of at least the wing. Most Mk.VIIIs thereafter were the LF variant with the Merlin 66, but this was only slightly "lower" rated than the Merlin 63. The true HF variant had the Merlin 70, and these were all later aircraft.

[keith A]

Cheers Graham. I wonder why reputable fliers like Skalski, Wade, Horricks, Edwards and Kallio flew this type? I agree that all the evidence points to them being less effective than clipped wing or standard wing aircraft?


best regards

Keith

[Graham Boak]

They flew them because that's what was made available to them. All early Mk.VIIIs were like that. You might be advised to avoid heavy manoeuvring at low level with these tips, but you were still much better off than in a Mk.V. They did provide the benefit of a higher ceiling.

Apologies for the delay in answering, I've been on holiday.