FS2004/FSX Spitfire Mk V B Tropical WW2 fighter
===============================================


Type History :
==============
The Mk VB(trop) (or type 352) could be identified by the large Vokes air filter fitted under the nose; the reduced speed of the air to the supercharger had a detrimental effect on the performance of the aircraft, but the decreased performance was considered acceptable. This variant was also fitted with a larger oil tank and desert survival gear behind the pilot's seat. A new "desert" camouflage scheme was applied. Many VB(trop)s were modified by 103 MU (Maintenance Unit-RAF depots in which factory fresh aircraft were brought up to service standards before being delivered to squadrons) at Aboukir, Egypt by replacing the Vokes filter with locally manufactured "Aboukir" filters, which were lighter and more streamlined. Two designs of these filters can be identified in photos: one had a bulky, squared off filter housing while the other was more streamlined. These aircraft were usually fitted with the wide blade Rotol propeller and clipped wings.[h]

Mk VC and VC(trop) (types 349 and 352/6) As well as having most of the standard Mk V features this version had several important changes over the earlier Mk Vs, most of them modifications which were first tested on the Mk III:
The Type C wing "Universal" wing was used.[i]
The structure was re-stressed and strengthened.
A deeper radiator fairing was fitted under the starboard wing, and a larger oil cooler, with a deeper, kinked air outlet, to port.
The Mk VC introduced the new windscreen design first used on the Mk III. Some Mk VBs also used this windscreen.
More armour plating was added, protecting the bottom of the pilot's seat and the wing ammunition boxes.
The elevator horn balances were increased in area.

Spitfire VC(trop), fitted with Vokes filters and "disc" wheels, of 417(RCAF) Squadron in Tunisia in 1943.The first Spitfire modified to carry bombs was a VC EP201 which was modified on Malta to carry one 250 lb (110 kg) bomb under each wing. In a note to the Air Ministry Air Vice Marshal Keith Park wrote:

We designed the bomb gear so that there was no loss of performance when the bombs were dropped. Unlike the Hurricane bomb gear our Spitfire throws away all external fittings with the exception of a steel rib which protrudes less than one inch from the wing.[45]

One VC(trop) BP985 was modified by 103 MU as a high altitude fighter capable of intercepting the Ju 86P photo reconnaissance aircraft which were overflying Allied naval bases in Egypt. This aircraft was stripped of all unnecessary weight, including all armour plating and the Hispano cannon and the compression ratio of the Merlin 46 was increased by modifying the cylinder block. A four bladed de Havilland propeller was fitted along with an "Aboukir" filter, a larger 9.5 gallon oil tank and extended wingtips.[46]

The first Spitfires to be sent overseas in large numbers were Mk VCs; many of these were built as VC(trop)s. With the advent of the Mk IX to RAF service few of the Mk VC saw combat over Europe, with the majority of them being used either in North Africa and the Mediterranean or in the Far East.

A total of 250 Mk VC(trop)s were shipped to Australia for the RAAF; the first of these arrived in late 1942.

Portugal was the recipient of two lots of Spitfire VBs; 33 refurbished ex-RAF aircraft started arriving in early 1944 and a further and final shipment of 60 mainly clipped wing L.F Mk VBs arrived in 1947. All were retrofitted with TR 9 HF radios and had no IFF. The last of these Spitfires were taken out of service in 1952.[47]

In total, production was 6,487, consisting of 94 Mk VA, built by Supermarine, 3,911 Mk VB, (776 by Supermarine, 2,995 Castle Bromwich and 140 Westland) and 2,467 Mk VB, (478 Supermarine, 1,494 Castle Bromwich, 495 Westland) plus 15 PR Type F by Castle Bromwich.





Span: 36 ft.10 in.
Lenght: 32 ft.3 in.
Weights: Empty 5,100 lb.., loaded 6,780 lb.
Performance: Maximum speed 374 m.p.h. at 13,500 ft
355 m.p.h. at 4,500 ft.
Normal cruising speed 226 m.ph.at 20.000 ft. Rate of climb (initial) 4,620 ft. per min.
Time to 20,000 ft. 7.5 min. Service ceiling 37,200 ft.
Range; 470 miles.


Effects
--------
-On startup there is automatic engine smoke.
-Then follow the exhaust flames with smoke.
-Wing vortex effect appears by default at 2.5g or quick roll rate.
-Continuous blue flames with smoke if engine is running .
-Wing cannon with flash, smoke and falling cartridges can be triggered with the standard Strobe key (O).
It is much nicer however if you put the FS2004/FSX standard Strobe key (O) to the trigger from your joystick. You can change this in the Key menu.
It is a good idea if you replace the standard (L) key for lights by the L+CTRL, (normaly activating the landing lights only). This avoids you having to have all lights on when pulling the trigger.

Installation:
==============
-Unzip " Spitfire_MK VB" into a temporary file and move the "Spitfire_MK VB" folder into the main Aircraft directory.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
-Read instructions carefully when installing the gauges , say YES...when asked if the gauges sources should be trusted. If you say no....most of the gauges are not going to work !
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
-Leave the fighters map in your panel folder.
-Copy the effects into the Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator X\effects folder.
-Add the 20can.wav in your Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator X\sound folder.
ATTENTION :
-For FS2004, change the FS9_Wing_Guns.fx into FX_Wing_Guns
-For FSX change the FSX_Wing_Guns.fx into FX_Wing_Guns
The sound is aliased to the Douglas_DC3 but can be changed by the one of your choice.

Flying the model
================
This plane is a fair, non critical but very powerful flying machine.
-Shift+W opens cockpit door
-CTRL+E opens the canopy
-Radiator flaps are opened by the close cowl key.
TAKE-OFF :if you have manual rudder enabled, be ready to apply hard rudder and brake when you hit the throttle !
Better apply throttle proportionaly and slowly at first.
1.Parking brake on, start engine, 1/4 flaps.
2.Disengage parking brake.
3.Hold enough rudder, brake to keep the aircraft straight
4.Take off at about 100 Knots, wheels and flaps up at 130 Knots.
5.To fire guns activate O-key or trigger.
6.Approach at 25% flaps, wheels down at 120 Knots.
7.Touchdown at 85-90 Knots.
Like with the real plane, much use of elevator trim will be needed.

CREDITS
=======
Special thanks to :
-GMAX for the drawing program and Microsoft for their makmdls.mdk.
-Brunosk for the 3D mdl file
-Sopwith Chameleon for the textures

LEGAL:
======
The project is released as freeware. You may modify it and repaint it. You may upload this file to another website as long as it is not for profit.
You need the written permission of the original authors to use any of these files for commercial purposes, otherwise a simple credit would be nice. Non commercial repaints-remakes are welcome but I would appreciate very much receiving a copy of your model.
This file should not cause any problems with your computer, but I accept no responsibility if you think it does


Happy Landings!

A.F.Scrub
February 2009
Email: af_scrubbypc@hotmail.com