Spitfire Merlin 45 Engine

[Porkins]

An available variant of the Spit is the Merlin 45 engine. Can anyone tell me how this engine differs from the standard Mark V engine? 

 

Also, does anyone know if the Spitfire will receive any more modification options? There are currently only two (the engine and the mirror), whereas every other plane I'm aware of has 4-5. 

[ShamrockOneFive]

The Merlin 45 supercharger peaks at a different altitude than the Merlin 46. The Merlin 46 is optimized for higher altitude operations and was by far the most numerous version on the Eastern Front, however, some Spitfire Vbs were fitted with the Merlin 45 on the Eastern Front as well. Basically you get a speed improvement of about 20km/h at low altitude and a loss of about 15km/h at higher altitudes (5000 meters).

 

See more here:

I doubt we'll see any added modifications. There weren't really any for an Eastern Front Spitfire Vb.

[dburne]

You can read the detailed specs on both engines for the Spit here:

 

[Eicio]

I believe that the optional one is improved to the low level flights while the standard is made to high altitudes.

[dburne]

Lol Shamrock beat me to it

[EAF19_Marsh]

The 46 is the standard, 45 had a low-altitude optimised supercharger arrangement (and probably other small changes) enabling to provide higher power below 10,000 ft. Precursor of the 50 series 'cropped' impeller Merlins

 

Not sure what else the VVS did to the Spit - not aware of any armament changes.

[FTC_DerSheriff]

imho the 45 is the only viaable option since the 46 makes the Spit at alt "slightly less bad". While the 45 can at least compete on the deck against 109s.

With both engines BF 109s  make the spit look like standing still at alt.

[Porkins]

Thanks all for the info. In my experience the vast majority of engagements happen below 10,000 feet. So unless I'm hunting HE-111's, I'll go with the 45. 

Edited March 19, 2018 by Porkins