Is the Spitfire Mk.VB Overperforming?

[Samanosuke]

I've flown over 100 hours in Duel Mode on IL-2: BoS. I mainly use the Bf 109 F-2, F-4, and G-6. I  
have no problem fighting American aircraft on Ace difficulty. However, the Spitfire Mk.VB feels completely different, almost invincible.  

Naturally, the turning speed is high, but the climb rate seems to be equal to or even higher than that of the Bf 109 F-4 or G-6. Therefore, even if you start at the same altitude in a duel and gradually increase your altitude, boom-and-zoom tactics are impossible.  

You can sometimes force an overshoot and fire a few small bursts, but it feels more like luck than good tactics. Do you think the Mk.VB  
has more climbing power in the game now than it did in history?

 

[MDzmitry]

Originally Bf 109 F is described to have a slight advantage over Spitfire Mk.V in speed and climb, but in 1942 +16lbs boost was approved for Merlin 45 (and derivatives). 

The effect it had on performance can be read in the document linked below:

https://wwiiaircraftperformance.com/wwiiaircraftperformance.org/spitfireperformance.com/MK5/Spitfire Mk V AA.878 Report.html

 

So if you take an earlier 1941 Spitfire Mk.V with +9lbs then yeah, but the Mk.V that flew in 1942 and later on had a more powerful boost.

Edited October 24 by MDzmitry

[Bilbo_Baggins]

On 10/25/2025 at 12:42 AM, Samanosuke said:

I've flown over 100 hours in Duel Mode on IL-2: BoS. I mainly use the Bf 109 F-2, F-4, and G-6. I  
have no problem fighting American aircraft on Ace difficulty. However, the Spitfire Mk.VB feels completely different, almost invincible.  

Naturally, the turning speed is high, but the climb rate seems to be equal to or even higher than that of the Bf 109 F-4 or G-6. Therefore, even if you start at the same altitude in a duel and gradually increase your altitude, boom-and-zoom tactics are impossible.  

You can sometimes force an overshoot and fire a few small bursts, but it feels more like luck than good tactics. Do you think the Mk.VB  
has more climbing power in the game now than it did in history?

 

 

Spit is light and low wingloading so it's a strong low speed climber and difficult to beat. 

Edited October 27 by Bilbo_Baggins

[JV69badatflyski]

On 10/24/2025 at 7:14 PM, MDzmitry said:

Originally Bf 109 F is described to have a slight advantage over Spitfire Mk.V in speed and climb, but in 1942 +16lbs boost was approved for Merlin 45 (and derivatives). 

The effect it had on performance can be read in the document linked below:

https://wwiiaircraftperformance.com/wwiiaircraftperformance.org/spitfireperformance.com/MK5/Spitfire Mk V AA.878 Report.html

 

So if you take an earlier 1941 Spitfire Mk.V with +9lbs then yeah, but the Mk.V that flew in 1942 and later on had a more powerful boost.

And still IRL , the mkVB let it be the9 or the 16lbs, was totally outclassed by an engine limited to 1.35ata Würger...and the 801 C equipped A2.

[LukeFF]

Guys, as a reminder, original evidence backed up by track files is needed for our engineers to investigate if there is an issue. Thank you. 🙂