SPITFIRE Mk X|V
Type:Fighter
Manufacturer:Supermarine
Powerplant:Rolls-Royce Griffon62 2,050 horse power 12-cylinder inline
Performance:Maximum speed 448 miles per hour;service ceiling 44,500 feet;
range 460 miles
Armament:Two 20mm cannon,four .303 caliber machine guns;external bomb load 1,000 pounds
Background:The Spitfire Mk X|V was the first allied aircraft to shoot down a German jet-powered Me262.This fact alone highlights the phenomenal development of the Spitfire airframe.Powered by the Rolls-Royce Griffon engine rather than the legendary Merlin,to which its reputation had been built upon,the Mk X|V entered service in January 1944.Seen as a stopgap version,it could nonetheless outperform the FW190 in all aspects except for rate of roll.The Mk X|V achieved great success intercepting V-I flying bombs in the defence of the UK homeland.
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