The Spitfire is legendary for being a real pilot's aeroplane, thanks to its beautifully harmonised controls, good manoeuvrability and high power. Being one of the last piston engined fighters in military service, the Griffon Spitfires and their contemporaries are still, after sixty years, the fastest piston engined aircraft ever developed.

The Mk XIV differs from most previous Spitfire marques in that it is fittted with the Rolls-Royce Griffon as opposed to the Rolls-Royce Merlin. The Griffon is 33% larger in capacity than the Merlin, and swings a massive five-blade propeller in the opposite direction to the Merlin. In light of this, the Mk XIV is a real handful on takeoff, If full power is applied rudder control is insufficient to check the right-hand swing brought about by propellor torque, and as such full power cannot be used on takeoff or during low-speed flight.

Our Spitfire Mk XIV for FS2004 not only recreates this marque's wonderful manoeuvrability and harmonisation, it also recreates these torque-induced handling vices.