In world war two, did the Griffin spitfires fly in combat. I think a spitfire is not a spitfire without a Merlin. Why did Supermarine change the engine?
2006-11-20 07:38:29 · 5 answers · asked by Dylan J 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
Yes, they did. In late 1944, one of the main tasks of the Spitfire XIV was intercepting German V1 "buzz bombs". In fact, the Griffon engined Spitfire was the most successful of all types in that role.
Also, mark 21 Spitfires (Griffon 61 engine, 5 blade propeller, four 20mm cannons plus many more design changes) managed to sink a German submarine just before the end of the war.
2006-11-20 08:44:56 · answer #1 · answered by ashtray 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes the Spitfire had a Griffon.
The Merlin was a much smaller displacement than the German V-12s and was limited to how much power could be extracted from it.
The Griffon was much more powerful (2050HP in intiall versions compared to 1400HP for the best Merlin at the time). The Griffon allowed the Spitfire to gain its wing span (and maneuverability) back after it was cut to increase speed and roll-rate.
2006-11-20 12:37:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just saw this thing on the discovery channel, putting a spitfire against a bf-109, and comparing them with their advantages and disadvantages to see which one was superior. One of the disadvantages of the spitfire was that its engine cut out when it went into a steep dive because of the carburetor. The bf-109 was fuel injected, so it didn't have this problem. Maybe the griffon engine was fuel injected, so the spitfire could make steep dives.
2006-11-20 09:28:15 · answer #3 · answered by Dan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Certainly did. They were always designed to be compact so that they could be used to retrofit for Merlins at a later date.
The first Griffon engined Spit, DP845, flew on either November 27th 1941 or in August 1942. In any case five were in service by the end of 1942 (can't find a definitive reference right now).
The web gives 141,000 hits for RR Griffin and and 28,900 for RR Griffon, but the RR enthusiast site has both spellings but the page says Griffon. I remain confused about the spelling.
2006-11-20 09:03:57 · answer #4 · answered by Chris H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think I would go for Merlin Charles, to be honest,it actually sounds really nice and quite posh :p the whole name stands out,so yeah, I go for the 2nd one,and nice initials lol (MC) :p #hopethishelped x
2016-05-22 00:35:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋