Griffon-Powered Spitfires
Griffon-Powered Spitfires (Warbird Tech 32) By Kev Darling
Publisher: Specialty Press 2001 | 107 Pages | ISBN: 1580070450 | PDF | 21 MB
Publisher: Specialty Press 2001 | 107 Pages | ISBN: 1580070450 | PDF | 21 MB
In the eyes of many people the Griffon-powered Spitfires and their derivatives were the epitome of grace. In contrast to the more rounded contours of the earlier Merlin Spitfires the greater angularity of the later types exuded a sense of greater power. Added to the structural changes was the ability to carry an increased variety of weapons at faster speeds and longer distances. All, however, was not that successful as the last manifestation of the design would prove. The Spiteful and Seafang undertook their maiden flights just as the jet age was getting into full swing and for all their laminar flow wings and other refinements they could not compete on level terms as a succession of jet fighters entered service with the Royal Air Force. With their demise came the end of the Spitfire line, although the wing technology was to reappear again on the jet-powered Supermarine Attacker for the Fleet Air Arm.