Bf Goodrich Tire Co

Posted onJanuary 21, 2012 - 4:23 pm by Admin | 0 Comments

The Spitfire is an aircraft that went through many different variants, but it also saw heavy modifications to existing models. The first major change for the Mk I Spitfire was the change from a fixed-pitch wooden propeller to a three bladed metal two-pitch propeller. This change came with a substantial weight increase from 83lbs for the wooden prop to 350lbs for the metal one, but the performance boost was well worth it. Take-off distance under still-air conditions was reduced from 420 to 320 yards. Top speed was slightly improved at altitude, now reaching 365 mph as well as the service ceiling going from 31,000 feet to 34,400 feet. Shortly before the Battle of Britain, another prop was fitted; this was known as a constant speed airscrew. It was a monster weighing in at 500lbs, but it increased climb rate as well as combat handling and the take-off run was further reduced to 225 yards

More modifications to the Spitfire

Spitfires were initially made without armor and any armor on a fighter can have a serious detriment to performance due to the increase weight. Pilots did however welcome the addition of a strengthened front panel of laminate glass placed on front of the windshield. This along with 3mm plating over the upper fuel tank and 73lbs of steel plate placed behind the pilots head and back went on to save many men from situations where wounding or death was almost a certainty.

A higher-octane petrol was introduced and with it a larger fuel tank. The 100-octane fuel improved performance and the larger tank allowed for greater range.


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