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
late Merlin-powered Spitfire
Category
Country
Production
1942–1945
Quantity
8,996
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS · WORLD WAR II
6
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
92
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
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1941
- Service Entry Year1942
- Crew1
- Primary RoleAir superiority fighter
- GenerationFirst generation piston‑engine fighter
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant6MOD.6
- Engine TypeRolls‑Royce Merlin
- Engine ModelMerlin 61/63/66/70 series
- Number of Engines1
- AfterburnerNo
- SupercruiseNo
- Thrust VectoringNo
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed660 km/h
- Top Speed (Mach)0.92 Mach
- Cruise Speed460 km/h
- Stall Speed150 km/h
- Service Ceiling12,000 m
- Ferry Range2,100 km
- Combat Radius800 km
- Rate of Climb30 m/s
- G-Limit8
- Takeoff Run300 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Length9.12 m
- Wingspan11.23 m
- Height3.53 m
- Wing Area22.5
- Empty Weight2,800 kg
- Loaded Weight3,400 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight3,500 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
- Hardpoints2
- Weapons Payload500 kg
- Internal Gun8× .303 in (7.7 mm) machine guns or 2× .303 in + 2× 20 mm Hispano cannons (varies by wing type)
- Internal Weapons BayYes
- Air-to-Air MissilesYes
- Air-to-Ground MissilesYes
- Anti-Ship MissilesNo
- Nuclear CapableNo
▤Avionics & Stealth8MOD.8
- RadarAI Mk VIII AI radar (later marks)
- AESA RadarNo
- Stealth / Low ObservableNo
- IRSTNo
- Electronic Warfare SuiteNo
- Helmet-Mounted SightNo
- Tactical DatalinkNo
- Targeting PodNo
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Total Built8,996
- Operators1
- Variants3
▲Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year1955
- Production Start1942
- Production End1945
- Operational StatusRetired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
- 1942Production started
- 1945Production ended
84
years in service
3
years in production
8,996
units produced
0
countries operating
ⓘ 8 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries8country
05 / MASS Score
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS RANKING Air Superiority Fighters · World War II
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
46AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS6WORLD WAR II · AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS154UNITED KINGDOM · ALL WEAPONS15PERFORMANCE/PRICE · AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theAir Superiority Fighterscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
An internal compartment within a military aircraft designed to store and deploy weapons, reducing radar cross-section and aerodynamic drag.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources