Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>Spitfire>HA8311
Spitfire IXb EN398, flown by Wg Cdr J.E. "Johnnie" Johnson, Kenley Wing, Summer 1943
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
On February 13, 1943 Spitfire Mk. IX EN398 made its first flight. It was built by the Supermarine
Chattis Hill factory and powered by a Merlin 63 engine. On February 18, 1943 the aircraft was
delivered to No. 402 Squadron RCAF as part of Kenley Wing. Acting Wing Commander Johnnie
Johnson took command of the four Canadian squadrons based at Kenley. Johnson’s first Kenley
victory came on April 3, 1943 and during 1943 he accumulated 14 victories, 7 damaged and 6
shared. EN398 ended WWII as the most successful Spitfire.
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) |