Gareth - you would probably be better off asking on www.spitfiresailing.org.uk The Spitfire does not really have any aspirations to be sailed solo; although you can it would be outside of any class racing unless entered as a F16? in a Cat Open. So in that respect the two are quite different animals. Spitfire strict one design and high standard of fleet racing in the UK. The Spitfire's have quite a big fleet down Eastbourne way I believe, not sure about the F16's.
Spitfire's also don't have endless internet discussions going round and round serving no purpose.