User blog comment:Captain rudder guy Kevin1/Squadron Stories/@comment-26482266-20160326020824

Review: ALL of the early Spitfires (Spitfire Mk. I, Spitfire Mk. II, Spitfire Mk. V, Spitfire F. Mk. IX)

The Spitfire was a fantastic aircraft IRL, and possibly the most recognizable aircraft in the Royal Air force at that time. This is reflected across all stats in War Thunder; almost everyone who flies British Aircraft immediately goes for the Spitfires. Now, they are all great aircraft, but of course, not all Spitfires are created equal; in fact, far from it. Today, I am going to run down the 4 spitfires and their respective variants, and possibly review them all.

Here we go.

'''Spitfire Mk. I'''

Possibly the most fun to fly aircraft in the line. It's light weight, and also has very respectable speed. Most importantly though, it's maneuverability will be a match for even A6M's, and it's turning ability exceeds even the Yak's (which are notoriously maneuverable turn-fighters).

However, the worst part about the aircraft, and one of the reasons why it is abit overwhelming to play, is that it does not get the iconic 20mm Hispano cannons. It doesn't even get M2 Brownings. Instead, it gives you literal pop guns in the form of 7.7mm's...rifle-caliber machineguns. Now, it has 8 of them on each wing, but 16 of them still has difficulties shooting down anything that isn't a biplane.

Either way, it could be better. It could be much better, and that's disappointing considering how fun it is to fly them.

'''Spitfire Mk. IIa'''

I won't go into great lengths about this one. Basically, it is a Spitfire Mk. I but with slightly worse maneuverability, but slightly better speed. It also gets better cockpit protection, although it will not block .50 HMG shots. The same pop-guns present on the Spitfire Mk. I is on the Mk. II, so the aircraft's firepower is gruesomely underwhelming.

'''Spitfire Mk. IIb'''

Quite possibly the biggest jump in firepower in terms of weaponry. This is the first British plane that gets 20mm Hispanos, and even if they have relatively low ammo capacity, they demolish any plane stupid enough to get in front of it. It also has 4 7.7mm rifle-guns mounted on the wings, but you won't be using them much.

It is also VERY fragile. It's recommended that you put the absolutely fantastic response time of the ship to avoid being hit, because if they do get hit, they get shot down very quickly. It's rate of climb, though, will let you get away from even the toughest of challenges.

Spitfire Mk. V/b trop

Firepower is very subtly upgraded via slightly better Hispano cannons - other than that, it is identical to the Spitfire Mk. IIb. However, this mark of Spitfire is also REALLY SLOW, and can never rely on speed to escape fights. However, it can initiate turn-fights, and even win against Japanese planes using turn-fighting tactics. Other than that, however, the Spitfire Mk. V doesn't feel like a good upgrade over the Spitfire Mk. IIb. Thankfully, the next aircraft will. Before we get onto that, lets cover it's red headed stepchild...

Spitfire Mk. V/c

One of the most mediocres plane in the lineup, it is also the most grossly affected by the BR spread. It's performance is similar to the Spitfire Mk. V, but it gets 4 20mms. Now, that might seem like alot, but there a simple reason why it's pretty bad - at that BR spread (Fighting Bf-109s and such), the 4 20mms are simply overkill for everything, and this is made worse when it's ammunition count is the same as the Spitfire Mk. V. However, in terms of destroying things like bombers, and especially planes like the IL-2 and the TBD (which has ungodly toughness), it excels at that role.

It's BR of 5.3 (Arcade) and 4.3 (Realistic) will not forgive much, however. Have fun fighting Fw 190 D-13's...AND Spitfire Mk. 22's

Spitfire F. Mk. IX

If you manage to get this far, then all of the grinding pays off. It is fairly sluggish, but it's top speed, rate of climb, and it's performance is top-notch for it's tier. It has fantastic low-level performance, and is...not TOO bad at higher altitudes. Most importantly, though, the Spitfire Mk. IX gets nearly DOUBLE the ammunition count of the Spitfire Mk. V, allowing you to be alittle more reckless with shots.

It's BR isn't bad, either. All in all, it's a fantastic aircraft to fly, and one that will be welcome for all Spitfire pilots.

Well, that is all. Until nex-

Spitfire Mk. XVI

...Good...god...I can see the embodiment of christ...

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...Yeah I ran out of words to say.