OK, Handling trials held for gun configuration, Martlesham Heath 20th July 1939
K9787 (8 brownings)
Merlin II, 2 blade wood fixed:
time to 20kft = 9.4min
Speed@18.5kft = 363 mph
CEILING = 31,900
K9783 (8 brownings)
Merlin II, 3 blade DH 2 pitch (5/20 bracket):
time to 20kft = 11.4min
Speed@18.5kft = 367 mph
CEILING = 34,400
L1007 (2 hispano, no brownings at all)
Merlin III, 3 blade DH type 5/21 bracket (that is not a CPS unit, it's a later 2 speed bracket for the Merlin III):
time to 20kft = 10.7min
Speed@18.5kft = 364 mph
CEILING = 34,500
So, there's not a massive difference between the types. The difference is in take off distance, acceleration and pilot workload. All spitfires were converted to the 5/29 and 5/30 brackets for CPS during June and July 1940
Last edited by Osprey; 03-30-2011 at 10:02 PM.
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