Nice MKXV1

[Hagar]

I have to admit, though, that while for a long time I've thought the Mark Vb to be one of the aesthetically pleasing Spitfire Marks, the XVI in that photo could make me consider being unfaithful to the Mark Vb.

I'm inclined to agree. I always liked the Mk IX/XVI though. In the end, I recall what John Romain told me last year when I asked which Mark was his favourite. He replied, with a grin on his face & that special gleam in his eye: "They're all beautiful."

[HawkerTempest5]

Aesthetically speaking the IX/XVI series are the nicest I think although I break with tradition when I say that I prefer clipped wings to full span. The MkXIV is still the finest Spitfire of them all though

[Woodlouse2002]

sorry, I was being a pedantic g*t...

Now lets consider Hawker, with a rough history...

Hawker...

Tomtit, Fury (etc), Hart/Hind (etc), Hurricane, Typhoon, Tempest, (Sea) Fury, Hunter, Harrier, Hawk, and that's just missing most of them out.

I always have thought the Henley looked quit nice too...

Charlie

You forgot the Tornado. One of Camms less successful designs.

However, consider now that Hawker was the child of Sopwith and voila! You have yet another string of the finest fighters around!

[Felix/FFDS]

However, consider now that Hawker was the child of Sopwith and voila! You have yet another string of the finest fighters around!

I didn't want to bring that link about in case someone brought up the Cuckoo!  But that had to be the "ugly duckling" in an otherwise stellar Sopwith lineup!

[Woodlouse2002]

[quote]

I didn't want to bring that link about in case someone brought up the Cuckoo!

[Hagar]

It was obviously to Sopwith what the Tornado was to Hawker then.

I believe the failure of the Tornado was due more to the powerplant than the airframe. The ill-fated Rolls-Royce Vulture. I don't think it was particularly ugly as it looked very much like the Typhoon.

[C]

You forgot the Tornado. One of Camms less successful designs.

It was close to inclusion but...

and that's just missing most of them out.

I couldn't be bothered to do all of them...

[C]

Please say you DIDN'T ground loop a Harvard!

Erm, maybe

It was ok, it was only a 180 rotation, and I was almost encouraged to do it in a way - I had a test pilot in the front who caught it for me. We spent 10 minutes just taxying around so I could get used to a taildragger...

Charlie

[Felix/FFDS]

Erm, maybe

It was ok, it was only a 180 rotation, and I was almost encouraged to do it in a way - I had a test pilot in the front who caught it for me. We spent 10 minutes just taxying around so I could get used to a taildragger...

Charlie

I'm glad I'm a computer pilot and not a real life one.  Many a time I've "landed" a perfectly functional Spit just to be a tad heavy on the brakes and tip over, or over-correct and do a beautiful ground loop, breaking bits and pieces all over (it's disgusting what some programs will make you sit through!)

[town]

Remember the sucessor to the Spitfire was the Attacker.  'Nuff said.  

What about the Scimitar?  

[town]

And maybe someday I'll learn how smileys work! :-/

[Felix/FFDS]

[quote][
What about the Scimitar?

[Hagar]

[quote]What about the Scimitar?

[C]

"The lineage from the Spitfire is thus :- the Spitfire developed into the Spiteful; Spiteful wings were used for the Attacker; swept wings were added to the Attacker to produce the Swift. "

The Scimitar was Supermarine's last chance to get it right, but that airplane, too, was plagued with problems.

Or was it...

"The lineage from the Spitfire is thus :- the Spitfire developed into the Spiteful; The Spiteful developed into the Seafang; Seafang wings were used for the Attacker; swept wings were added to the Attacker to produce the Swift, upon which someone moved the tailwheel to the wrong end. "  ;D

[Hagar]

[quote]Or was it...

"The lineage from the Spitfire is thus :- the Spitfire developed into the Spiteful; The Spiteful developed into the Seafang; Seafang wings were used for the Attacker; swept wings were added to the Attacker to produce the Swift, upon which someone moved the tailwheel to the wrong end. "