Time Period: World War II (WW2)
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Type: Fighter Aircraft
Manufacturer: Supermarine
Supermarine Spiteful Aircraft Overview
The Supermarine Spiteful was a British fighter aircraft developed by Supermarine during World War II. It was an improved version of the Supermarine Spitfire, which was one of the most famous British fighter aircraft of the war.
The Spiteful was a single-engine, single-seat fighter, and was powered by a Rolls-Royce Griffon engine, which was a more powerful engine than the one used in the Spitfire. It also featured a redesigned wing and fuselage, which made it faster and more maneuverable than its predecessor.
Despite its improved performance, the Spiteful did not enter service until after the end of World War II. It was used primarily as a high-speed research aircraft, and was also used by the Royal Air Force for various experimental and development programs.
Although the Spiteful did not see combat, it was an important aircraft in the development of post-war British fighter designs. Its powerful engine and advanced aerodynamics were used in subsequent fighter aircraft, including the Supermarine Seafang and the Hawker Sea Fury.
Supermarine Spiteful XIV Specifications
- Crew: 1
- Length: 32 ft 11 in (10.03 m)
- Wingspan: 35 ft (11 m)
- Height: 13 ft 5 in (4.09 m)
- Wing area: 210 sq ft (20 m2)
- Airfoil: root: Supermarine 371-I; tip: Supermarine 371-II
- Empty weight: 7,350 lb (3,334 kg)
- Gross weight: 9,950 lb (4,513 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Griffon 69 V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine, 2,375 hp (1,771 kW)
- Propellers: 5-bladed constant-speed propeller.
Supermarine Spiteful XIV Performance
- Maximum speed: 483 mph (777 km/h, 420 kn) at 21,000 ft (6,401 m)
- Cruise speed: 240 mph (390 km/h, 210 kn) at 255 mph (222 kn; 410 km/h)
- Range: 564 mi (908 km, 490 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 42,000 ft (13,000 m)
- Rate of climb: 4,890 ft/min (24.8 m/s) at 2,000 ft (610 m)
Supermarine Spiteful XIV Armament
- Guns: 4 × 20 mm (0.787 in) Hispano Mk.V cannon with 156 rpg
- Rockets: 8–12 × 3 in (76 mm) 60 lb RP-3 rocket projectiles, or 4 × 300 lb (140 kg) rockets.
- Bombs: 2 × 1,000 lb (450 kg) bombs.
Supermarine Spiteful Image Gallery
More Supermarine Aircraft
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft used before, during, and after the Second World War by the Royal Air Force and Allied countries.
Supermarine Seafire
The Supermarine Seafire was a naval version of the Supermarine Spitfire and the Hawker Hurricane. It was used during World War II.
