One intriguing feature of the Spitfire story is that the two most important versions introduced during the war, the Mk V and the Mk IX,
were both seen as interim designs, produced to fill a gap while more
heavily modified and theoretically more advanced versions entered
production. The Mk VII (pressurized) and Mk VIII (unpressurized) Spitfires were intended to replace the Mk V.
The
Mk VII used the closely related Merlin 61 (1,300hp at 23,000ft), 64
(1,450hp at 21,000ft) and 71 (1,700hp at 18,000) engines as they
appeared. The Merlin 61 was the first two-speed two-stage supercharged
engine used in the Spitfire – the two stage supercharger improved
performance at high altitude. The new engines required a new cooling
system, one result of which was that the Mk VII had an air scoop on
each wing, giving it a more symmetrical appearance than earlier
Spitfires. The length of the fuselage was increased to 31ft 3.5in in
early model to accommodate the larger engine. The fuselage also had to
be strengthened.
The Mk VII
used the “c” type universal wings, capable of carrying either eight
machine guns, four cannon or two cannon and four machine guns
depending on the situation, but with the extended wing tips used on
the Mk VI.
The Mk VII was a
pressurized fighter. It had a more advanced pressurization system than
the Mk VI, using a sliding cockpit canopy, which was more popular than
the locked cockpit on the Mk VI. The best high altitude version of the
Mk VII was powered by the Merlin 71, and could reach 416mph at 44,000
ft.
The Mk VII remained in
production from August 1942 until early in 1944, although only 140
aircraft were produced in that time. The Mk VII was a little more
successful than the earlier Mk VI,
but the “interim” Mk IX turned out to be capable of operating high
altitude itself, and the Mk VII soon lost its special status as a high
altitude fighter, although it remained in use throughout the war.
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