| The world famous British Spitfire was one of the best fighter aircraft of the WWII period/ The Spitfire Mk.XVI was produced since September 1944. It was differed from the Mk.IX with fitting of the US-manufactured Packard Merlin 266 engine.
It was a reliable and popular aircraft with pilots and ground crew, had excellent handing qualities. Most Mk.XVI were fitted with the clipped “E” type wing and armament, and later production aircraft were fitted with the cut-back rear fuselage and bubble canopy, which improved the pilot’s view. It was suited to low altitudes as a fighter and fighter-bomber.
The Spitfire Mk.XVI was in service with 19 RAF squadrons, including Polish and Holland units. The Mk.XVI flew mainly in the fighter-bomber role during the final months of the conflict in Europe. A total of 1054 Mk.XVI were built in 1944-1945
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