How fast can a spitfire go?
594 km/h
Supermarine Spitfire/Top speed
What was the fastest Spitfire ever made?
Martindale’s breaking 620 mph (1,000 km/h) in the same aircraft in April 1944. Flight Lieutenant Edward Powles’ 690 mph (1,110 km/h) in Spitfire PR. XIX PS852 during an emergency dive while carrying out spying flights over China on 5 February 1952 is also discounted.
Did a prop plane ever break the sound barrier?
Originally Answered: Has a propeller-driven aircraft ever broken the sound barrier? Yes. It was NASA’s XF-88 research aircraft, which had a specially designed prop to complete the task, and landed safely.
What was the top speed of a Spitfire?
According to famed test pilot Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown’s book Wings on My Sleeve, the high-speed trials began in late 1943. During the programme, Squadron Leader J R Tobin took a Mark XI Spitfire into a 45-degree dive; the plane reached a top speed of 606mph (975km/h), or Mach 0.89 (Mach 1 being the technical term for the speed of sound).
When did the Spitfire break the sound barrier?
It was on these flights that some Spitfire pilots took the aircraft into previously uncharted territory – encountering the strange aerodynamic forces that occur when the sound barrier is within reach. According to famed test pilot Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown’s book Wings on My Sleeve, the high-speed trials began in late 1943.
Can a plane break the speed of sound?
The sound barrier (or sonic barrier) is the term which describes the increase in drag that an aircraft experiences as it approaches supersonic speeds. The effect was first experienced by aircraft in World War II. In dry conditions, an aircraft needs to be moving at about 767 mph to hit the barrier.
What was the speed of sound in WWII?
These shockwaves cause intense buffeting. Many propeller driven WWII fighter planes, including the Supermarine Spitfire, the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, and the North American P-51 Mustang, experienced these effects at Mach 0.85.
According to famed test pilot Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown’s book Wings on My Sleeve, the high-speed trials began in late 1943. During the programme, Squadron Leader J R Tobin took a Mark XI Spitfire into a 45-degree dive; the plane reached a top speed of 606mph (975km/h), or Mach 0.89 (Mach 1 being the technical term for the speed of sound).
How was the Spitfire saved from breaking the sound barrier?
Martindale was saved by simple physics. With the heavy propellers wrenched off, the aircraft was now tail-heavy, and this change in the centre of gravity forced it to climb up from the dive at great speed. Martindale was knocked unconscious from the stress of the climb, and woke to find his aircraft flying at 40,000ft (13 kilometres).
What kind of camera did the Spitfire use?
Camera equipment fitted included one oblique F24 and two vertical F24s all in the fuselage. This was to be known as the Supermarine Valiant, based on a Mk 22 with a new wing with an increased incidence to increase dive speed and handling.
How tall is a Supermarine Spitfire in feet?
25 m Length – 10.03 m Height – 4.11 m Engine – Merlin 85 Maximum speed – 454mph Service ceiling – 43,000ft Combat range – 390 miles AIRCRAFT OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE, 1939-1945: SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE.© IWM (ATP 12632C) 360 : VIII