Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>Spitfire>HA8306
Spitfire IXb "VL-F" MK320, No.322 (Dutch) Sqn, RAF 1944
General Background
The Mk. IX replaced the Mk. V in June 1942 and on September 12, 1942 a Mk. IX brought down a Ju-86R flying at 43,000 feet. Another major achievement of the Mk. IX took place on October 5, 1944 when 401 Squadron became the first allied aircraft to shoot down an Me-262 jet. Even with the arrival of the Griffon powered Mk. XIV the Mk. IX continued in service until the end of WWII. There were 5,665 Mk. IX Spitfires and its variants produced.
The Aircraft
As Dutch personnel escaped the German occupation they were assigned to the RAF No. 167 Squadron. As the personnel numbers grew it was decided to create a Dutch Squadron so on
June 12, 1943 No. 167 Squadron was re-designated No. 322. Originally equipped with Spitfire V'
s the 322nd was re-equipped with Spitfire XIV's for tactical support roles but then their role
changed to destroying the dreaded V1s. Next the 322 received Spitfire IXs to perform ground
attack roles. The 322 only flew the IXs from September 1944 until November 1944.
Specifications :
| Number built : | 5,665 all Mk. IX variants |
| Crew : | 1 X pilot |
| Dimensions : | |
| Length: | 31 ft. 3.5 in. |
| Wingspan: | |
| Standard (F) | 36 ft. 10 in. |
| Clipped (LF) | 32 ft. 2 in. |
| Height: | 11 ft. 9 in. |
| Wing Area: | (F) 242 sq. ft. or (LF) 231 sq. ft. |
| Weight: | |
| Empty: | 5,610 lbs. (2,545 kg) |
| Maximum Takeoff: | 7,500 lbs. (3,402 kg) |
| Performance: | |
| Engine: | 1 X V-12 Rolls-Royce Merlin 61 @ 1,515 hp or |
| 1 X V-12 Rolls-Royce Merlin 63 @ 1,712 hp | |
| Maximum Speed: | 408 mph (657 kph) @ 25,000 ft. |
| Service Ceiling: | 4,000 ft. |
| Range w/o drop tank: | 434 miles (698 km) |
| Armament: | 2 X Hispano 20mm cannons |
| plus either | 4 X .303 machine guns or |
| 2 X .50 machine guns | |
| 1,000 lbs of bombs (500 centerline, 250 each wing) |