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Late War Spitfires:

By the later war years of 1944 into 1945, Spitfire models were a world apart from the first Merlin models in the early war stages. Most were now outfitted with the Rolls Royce Griffon engine, which was significantly larger and more powerful than the Rolls Royce Merlin used throughout early - mid Spitfire development. The Griffon was the logical evolution for the Spitfire and saw the aircraft through its later development stages, boasting performance that Merlin Spitfires just could not match. The pinnacle of operational wartime Spitfires mostly lies in the  Mk XIV, a bigger and more aggressive looking aircraft when compared to the Mk I for example. The Mk XIV would be far from the final model however, as the Mk XVII fighter-bomber development would arise in post war years as well as the arrival of the Mk 21 at the end of the war with a new wing design that would lead the Spitfire series to its final variants in the Spitfire Mk 22/24 series.

The early Spitfires rely heavily on their turning ability to engage aircraft, which led to “dogfighting”, along with its efficient elliptical wing design the Spitfire even had the ability to out energy fight some opponents; however, as the war progressed changes were required to make the Spitfire faster, better armed, and even more maneuverable in terms of roll rate. Eventually leading to what is commonly known as the “Griffon” series. The Griffon series of Spitfires retain the excellent maneuverability of their Merlin predecessors, while becoming more fluent in the “Boom and Zoom” playstyle. Griffon Spitfires begin at rank IV in War Thunder with the Mk XIVe in the research tree and the Mk XIVc premium aircraft.

Late War Bf 109s:

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 had also undergone many modifications, adaptations and variants through the G or “Gustav” series before it reached its wartime apex in the Bf 109 K-4. When compared to the “Emil” series that locked into combat with Spitfires and Hurricanes over the skies of Great Britain in 1940, the K-4 was a significant leap in aircraft design and represented the very best in wartime development for the Messerschmitt piston engined fighter. The primary change had been to the fighter's role however, as whilst the Messerschmitts were the aggressors and primarily on the offensive in the early war years, they now found themselves as the defenders due to the heavy USAAF bomber raids pounding Germany and its industrial heartlands. As such, the nose mounted weaponry was often complemented in the G and K series with externally mounted pylons under the wings, able to carry 20 or 30mm cannon pods or 210mm BR.21 rockets. Utilizing a powerful DB 605 engine, the Bf 109 K-4 would have eventually lead into the K-6 and K-14 models; however, the course of the war would mean development of the 109 was slowed from lack of resources, time and in favor of the Me 262 and Focke-Wulf Fw-190.

The Bf 109 series remains traditionally an energy fighting and “Boom and Zoom” centered style of aircraft throughout the course of its variants. Later models of the Bf 109 become significantly heavier and more complex, but the Bf 109 benefited from more powerful engines and increased armaments as a result. Although the Bf 109s became more sluggish because of this, skilled 109 pilots can still utilize the solid maneuverability, excellent rate of climb, and its amazing acceleration to combat the opposition. The final Bf 109’s begin in game with the Bf 109 G-6 and G-14 at rank IV and conclude with the G-10 and K-4.

Conclusion:

Both the Spitfire and Messerschmitt families span several versions and variants within their respective research trees that lead up to their jet engined successors, ranging from ranks I-IV for the Messerschmitt Series and ranks II-IV for the Spitfires. For every variant of one, their is often a counterpart of the other present in both trees covering the variants used operationally within the Second World War.

The two series of aircraft lead to some of the best piston engined aircraft available to pilots in War Thunder that, in experienced hands, can be extremely deadly aircraft in combat. The late Spitfires and late Messerschmitts are fairly matched in terms of general performance characteristics, with each having their own distinct advantages and weaknesses but also retaining a familiar similarity in playstyle.

Author: Scott "Smin1080p" Maynard