Spitfire Mk V LR Fighter

In July 1940 it was possible for a PR Type F variant of a MkII Spit to take off from East Anglia take some Nice Photos of the Reichstag in Berlin and return - a journey of just over 1000 Miles

What is the maximum distance or Ferry range that a Purpose built long range Spitfire Mk VB could realistically reach in April 1941

By Utilising the 'optional' 29 Imp Gal Fuel tank behind the pilot and a 90 Gal Slipper tank to add onto the Spitfires already 85 imp Gal internal fuel supply as well as an increased Oil reservoir plus removing all or most of its weapons (having them transported in a larger Aircraft or sent ahead by Fast Ship/Submarine) what sort of range would it have?

Could it have self deployed from Gibraltar to Malta (1100 Miles) and then on to Alex (975 Miles)? Without having to use Carriers for Club runs!

Or maybe cross Central Africa to Alex and then from Alex to Malta that way?

Once in Malta and re-armed the Slipper tank could be removed and the rear tank aired out (Im assuming that it would be impractical to remove it).
 
The Spitfire was tested for 1035 miles with 90 gal drop tank, without the 29 gal rear fuselage tank. Mileage without drop tank was 6.9 mpg, so another 29 gals should add 200 miles, obviously 1235 total. Looking at 'Spitfire' by Morgan & Shacklady, the Spitfires were self-deploying from UK to Gibraltar (about same distance as between Gibraltar and Malta, with 'curving around' unhospitable countries/areas), with 29 gal + 170 gal drop tank.
 
The Spitfire was tested for 1035 miles with 90 gal drop tank, without the 29 gal rear fuselage tank. Mileage without drop tank was 6.9 mpg, so another 29 gals should add 200 miles, obviously 1235 total. Looking at 'Spitfire' by Morgan & Shacklady, the Spitfires were self-deploying from UK to Gibraltar (about same distance as between Gibraltar and Malta, with 'curving around' unhospitable countries/areas), with 29 gal + 170 gal drop tank.

Yes, but is that Ferry Range or at the speeds and altitudes that would be used over hostile territory?

I ask because I clearly remember the F-4 Phantom being repeated listed as having a range of 900 miles. As I understand it, with a bomb load and at combat speeds and altitudes the situation was rather different.

What radius of action would the Spitfire Long Range Version have under more realistic conditions?
 
The combat radius is/was roughly 1/3rd of range. Works out to circa 350 or 400 miles, with 29 gals rear fuselage tank and 90 or 170 gal drop tank respectably.
 
The reasons for originally posting this was to see if self deploying Spitfires could have replaced Club Runs and therefore freed up carriers from club runs for other jobs

The intention was not so much to have them as LR Fighters - but now that you raise the idea.....
 
FWIW - my idea is/was that Spitfire (along with many other combat aircraft) have had plenty of potentials that were either not used, or were intended to be used up after it was too late. Eg. Spitfire III: already in 1940 it featured increased fuel tankage (+10 gals); cram in the ~30 gal tank behind the pilot and 90 gal tank under the fuselage and there it is - a long range fighter. That will not suffer much of performance penalty, while being possible with technology of the day.
Now we know that RAF BC was not that interested in escort fighters by 1940, but that opens plenty of possibiities at theaters where RAF Commands & other Allies fought together more or less, like MTO and Asia/Pacific.
RAF started with introduction of increased internal fuel on their Spitfires and Tempests by second half of 194 , by the time LW was removed as coherent force, and WAllies already well established in France and Italy.
 
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