Spitfire

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Early model Imperial Spitfire.

The Spitfire is a vectored-thrust craft used by the Grand Army Luftwaffe as a close air support craft. It is known for its toughness, durability, and firepower. As a Vertical-Takeoff-and-Landing (VTOL) craft, the Spitfire can operate from almost anywhere.

The design was originally developed and used by the Gestahlan Empire's Imperial Air Force as a general-purpose design. During the Great War, the GA copied and refined the design, focusing it on a role of close air support for the ground forces. The GA made multiple design improvements. The biggest change was replacing the propellers with higher-output turbofans, giving the Spitfire 'model A' much greater lifting capacity. The Luftwaffe also added a heavy armored "bath" to protect the pilot against ground fire. This earned the Spitfire the nickname "flying tank" from Dark Wrath ground forces, and there are reports of Luftwaffe pilots successfully landing heavily damaged craft.

The Spitfire is heavily armed. Spitfires of the Great War and Hivan War were equipped with multiple needle machine guns, fire saturation rockets, a magitek beam emitter, and a Spire cannon for 'tankbusting'. Modern Spitfires, like many modern GA vehicles, use a MABS-type system to allow for reconfigurable weapons. It is no very common for Spitfires to use wire or laser-guided missiles in place of cannon for attacking hardened targets.

Despite its toughness and heavy firepower, the Spitfire is a ground attack craft and not designed for air-to-air combat. It is quite vulnerable to enemy fighters.

The Spitfire's VTOL profile allows it to land and takeoff virtually anywhere. Its ability to operate from forward airfields allows it to keep pace from rapidly advancing forces. It can also operate from carrier decks. The Kriegsnavee has some Spitfires on hand for when it needs to run ground support operations; it has also developed a variant of the Spitfire known as the Seafire. The Seafire is optimized for anti-ship and anti-submarine combat. The biggest difference is load-out, as Seafires are equipped with long-range anti-ship missiles, air-dropped torpedoes, and depth charges instead of ground attack ordinance.

The Spitfire's role in the Great War, especially the Transbaron campaign, was decisive. As the Grand Army gained complete air superiority, the Spitfire provided essential fire support for busting heavy fortifications and responding quickly to fast-moving enemy columns.

Principal contractor for the GA Spitfire is the Kuat Consortium, who used their experience on the craft to design the somewhat similar Banshee. The Spitfire is slower, tougher, and has superior operational range to the Banshee.

Unlike other aircraft in Luftwaffe service, everyone agrees on the continuing importance of the Spitfire's mission, and the current Spitfire 'model J' is a superlative craft for this role.

The Ragnorak of Kix Brooks is technically a Spitfire, but departs radically from the design specifications.