Spitfire Mk. Vb = By June 1941 Spitfire production of machines with the "a" wing was halted in favor of the "b" wing standard, which replaced the two inboard .303 cal machine guns in each wing with a 20 mm Hispano cannon with 120 rpg. Initially Mk. Vb production used a wing with the same span as the earlir Mk. I/II/Va standard, but later models were built with clipped wings of 30 ft 6 in span, for improved roll performance at low altitudes. The Mk. V was designed to take a variety of Merlin engine models and numerous detail changes were made during the production run, including the Vokes Multi-Vee air filter, which equipped most Mk. Vs intended for overseas use. Three different external "slipper" fuel tanks were made to fit under the fuselage in 30 gal, 90 gal and 170 gal sizes. Additional armor was applied in the Mk V series, with armor being placed above, below and in front of the cannon ammunition bins, under the pilot's seat, and in front of the coolant header tank. Adidionally, the cowling panel over the main fuel tank was made thicker to add some protection from enemy fire. Additional piping was installed in the Mk. Vb and Vc model from the engine exhaust to the outboard gun bays to prevent them freezing at high altitudes. Later models also had the fabric covered ailerons replaced with metal skinned controls. Many Mk. Vs sent to the Mediterranean theater were fitted with bomb racks allowing 2x 250 lb bombs to be carried under the wings or 1x 500 lb bomb under the fuselage. |
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