Hi Chris,

The Mk.XII is something of a mish-mash of old and new when it comes to Spitfires. Despite being the first of the "big engine" Spitfires the Mk.XII was actually in production before the Merlin powered Mk.IX Spit. Most of the 100 or so Mk.XII Spits were converted Mk.V airframes which explains why they retained the old style radiator set up. (Converted on the production line by the way, not from completed aircraft.) However, apparently some of them were converted using Mk.VIII fuselages as well and have the retractable tail wheel associated with that version. Both fixed and retractable tail wheels can be found on Mk.XII Spits. They also exhibit the older style elevator mass balances but have the broad chord pointed rudder so I assume they must have all had Mk.V horizontal stabs and Mk.VIII vertical stabs! Despite being a "Frankin-Spit" I personally think the Mk.XII and its navalized equivalent the Seafire XV are among the most attractive of the Spitfire line. (Take note that the Seafire does have dual symetrical radiators and the later style mass balances on the elevators as it is a much more refined airframe even though based on the Mk.XII Spitfire initially.)

Spitfire Mk.XII


Seafire XV