Spitfires carrying bombs

[kitridge]

I'm noticing in BTR that some of my spitfires variants are carrying 2x250lb bombs. With a plane like the P47, I can choose whether to swap out drop tanks for bombs but with my spits, I can't remove the bombs at all.

Two questions:

Does the bomb-load hamper their dogfighting ability?

When do the bombs come into play? I can't use spits for bombing missions, only fighter sweeps and escort missions and on those missions they don't do anything other than dogfight and strafe...

Thanks

[harley]

You can use fighters for bombing missions - click the "fighter attack" button.

When bombed-up they will fly close escort, and drop their bombs at the target, or if engaged. Fighters on Close Escort of FB's also carry their bombs.

[Hard Sarge]

most of the Spits are duel role, planes, while most of the US planes are either or, and as the Spits carry slipper tanks, and not set up for the extra large drop tanks, it is easier to just leave them in one model

the HF Spits are escorts, so don't carry bombs (XIVE and XII also do not)