Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the air superiority fighters category.
01 / Overview
early Merlin-powered Spitfire
Category
Country
Production
1938–1948
Quantity
20,351
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS · INTERWAR PERIOD
4
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
90
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the air superiority fighters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General3MOD.3
- First Flight1936
- Service Entry Year1938
- Crew1
◈Powerplant3MOD.3
- Engine TypeV‑12 piston
- Engine ModelRolls‑Royce Merlin
- Number of Engines1
▣Performance9MOD.9
- Top Speed582 km/h
- Top Speed (Mach)0.97 Mach
- Cruise Speed460 km/h
- Stall Speed120 km/h
- Service Ceiling11,300 m
- Ferry Range1,600 km
- Combat Radius500 km
- Rate of Climb5 m/s
- G-Limit6
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Length9.12 m
- Wingspan11.23 m
- Height3.53 m
- Wing Area22.5
- Empty Weight2,300 kg
- Loaded Weight3,200 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight3,400 kg
◆Armament2MOD.2
- Hardpoints2
- Weapons Payload500 kg
▤Production3MOD.3
- Total Built20,351
- Operators1
- Variants19
⬢Service History3MOD.3
- Retirement Year1955
- Production Start1938
- Production End1948
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
- 1938Production started
- 1948Production ended
88
years in service
10
years in production
20,351
units produced
0
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country no longer actively operates it. 11 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries11country
05 / MASS Score
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS RANKING Air Superiority Fighters · Interwar Period
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
107AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS4INTERWAR PERIOD · AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS301UNITED KINGDOM · ALL WEAPONS51PERFORMANCE/PRICE · AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theAir Superiority Fighterscategory.
📚 Sources