Certainly I can get the definitive answer here...

What are the visible exterior differences between the Spitfire Mk Vc and the Spitfire Mk VIII as flown in Asia in WWII?

First of all, they used different engines. You can see that right away by the exhaust stacks. The -5 had six stacks (three on each side) and the -8 had twelve. The MK VIII had a retractable tailwheel, also, if I remember correctly.

Spitfire marques require volumes.............

As above, the Mk VIII had a different engine to the Mk Vc.......... and had an extended body to incorporate said new Merlin.

Plus the Mk VIII had a four bladed prop.................. and would have had a rounded or 'pointy' tail, dependent on when built. 'Pointy' for later.

I won't ponder wings. As I say, Spitfire marques require volumes.

Yeah, mine was a quick and over-simplified answer, to be sure. Fact is, they were two different airplanes, and I don't think a single part was interchangeable unlike the mark 5 and mark nine which was, pretty much, just an engine change.

Something I also read was that all MK VIII Spits had the vokes tropical air intake filter.

Kevin

Hope this helps..

http://hsfeatures.com/spitfirevcme_1.htm
Mk Vc

http://hyperscale.com/features/2002/spitfireviiidh_1.htm
MkVIII

Thanks. My ulterior motive is to find out what Spitfire Nuts are looking for...sort of the "essence" of it's form. Much-beloved airplanes are peculiar things. One pixel here or there and it's not the same plane at all. I think men's brains are especially well-adapted to pick up minute variations in compound curves...if you know what I mean.

We have both of them and they are on the same level as our Hurricane. I will start putting up pics once I finish the ton (or tonne) of research to get the skins and fuselage numbers for the squadrons in the stories...that we have not settled upon yet.

Also, I am going to rummage around to see if I can find a picture I have of two I found at an old airport in Burma. They were just sitting there, magnesium oxidizing in the jungle air.

Oh, Hinch. Pointy tail...even if it's wrong, it just looks good that way.

I've always been a 'pointy' man myself.

Then again, the late marques with bubble hoods are just plain gorgeous.

Back in Blighty, the Battle of Britain Flight always took a turn, every summer, low, above my parents' house. Can't miss that Merlin. Raises hair every time.

I don't think these are the right skins but we have the airplanes right.

A little more like it. Much too clean. Not enough saturation on the green. Missing Letters and a few rivet lines but this is about it. I think our first mission for the Spit Vc will be the defense of Darwin on the later raids.

If you read this, Gramps, what is your pleasure? It hasn't got to be Caldwell. I'm looking at a couple but I'd rather have input from Oz.

Pointiesssss!!!!

Pointy.



Now to determine the missions they are to fly and slap on the letters. Two more down.

RAAF Spitfire nut reporting for duty.

1. Pilot too small?
2. Spit Vc gun heat system?
3. Hamilton prop or Rotol?
4. AFAIK the only belly tank used on the Spit was the 'Slipper' type

Is that the sort of stuff you guys want?

The best Pacific Spitfires resource on the 'net. Period.

The pilot's not too small, just have to get him the yellow pages.

No.457_Squog,

1- No. Needed to be raised .1 meters...or maybe he's just ducking.
2- Ooooo. Wait. What's that?
3- I don't know. What would be on a Vc at Darwin?
4- That loaded in error and I missed it. It does suck, doesn't it?


"Is that the sort of stuff you guys want?" ABSOLUTELY

Thanks.

Fixed pilot. Dumped fuel tank.



...and a couple so Edward can take the Wasp to Malta and play.

The quality of these Spitfires is simply amazing. Here is the Spitfire MkVc flying over Malta:






Edward

Helluva nice job Edward.

1. Yep. Could have been perspective too..
2. System that took heat from the exhaust and delivered it to the Hispano wing cannons. There is a small metal piece visible behind the exhaust stacks that isn't visible in the screenshots you posted.
3. I think hamilton standard (which is what you've got) but I may be mistaken. re: FM - read up on "Darwin Constant Speed Unit Failures"
4. Glad I spotted something worthwhile

I can't think of anything else looking at the screenshots - you guys have done a good job!

[edit]Looking at the angle of front windshield to cowling - perhaps it's a bit too obtuse?[/edit]

I made a screenshot in another sim of the same aircraft for comparison purposes.

Here's a couple of mine from the defense of Darwin in our Phase Three missions.