FS2004 FSX SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE F Mk 22
This is a model of a Spitfire F Mk 22 of No 73 Squadron, Ta Kali, Malta in 1948.
There was so little difference between the F.21 and F.22 that the allocation of a new mark number was barely necessary. This difference in designation has been explained as necessary to cover the change of voltage in the electrical systems of the respective versions which were 12 volt for F.2l and 24 volt for F.22, but in fact, as already related, late production F.21's had 24-volt instrumentation. It has also been said that one of the main differences between this mark and the following F.24 was that the latter had additional fuel tanks in the rear fuselage. In fact, early production F.22's had a rear fuselage tank fitted, but its use was officially prohibited. The Mk22 had a rear view fuselage with a redesigned hood. Later models with Spiteful type fins and larger tailplanes, had more obvious differences.
Production, from March 2lst, 1945, was concurrent with the F.21. 627 were ordered, but only 260 were built. No prototype was involved. Spiteful type fins and rudders were introduced during production. Handling trials with a 3 X 500 lb. bomb load were carried out at the A. & AE.E. early in 1947 on PK408 and this armament was intended for squadrons overseas. No. 73 Squadron used F.22's at Ta Kali, Malta until 1948. These were PK380' D', PK391, PK397 'H', PK5l8 'F', PK544 'C', PK555 'K', PK556 'R', PK572 , N', PK576, PK594 , J', PK607' Q', PK6ll 'B', PK6l2, PK656 'E', PK662 'V' and PK674 'L'. They were some of the few F.22's to see first-line service, they were marked only with individual letters, as unit code letters were not used post-war by No. 73 Squadron. The majority of F.22's served in Auxiliary Air Force squadrons, but a few, as late as 1951 were used at Flying Refresher Schools, examples are PK340 MA3, PK499 M.37 and PK620 M.35 of No. 102 F.R.S.
Although not declared obsolete until May 1955, it was little used after 1952, by which time most surviving examples, some 80, were in storage. lt did, however, have a new lease of life in other services; 22 (including PK355, PK401, PK482, PK486, PK494, PK562, PK575, PK594, PK668 and PK672) were delivered in two batches of 11 to the Southern Rhodesian Air Force (now the Royal Rhodesian Air Force under the Central African Federation) where they were serialled SR58-68 and SR79-89. Twenty reconditioned F.22's were sold to Egypt in 1950 and 10 to Syria.
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