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Additional Information from Internet Encyclopedia
The Spitfire Mk IX was
originally developed as a stopgap measure as a response to the appearance of
the Focke-Wulf FW 190A. The first response to this threat was the Mk VIII, but
this aircraft involved a significant redesign of the basic Spitfire, and would
take time to produce in the numbers required.
The Mk IX provided an
alternative solution to the problem. It used the same Merlin 60/70 series
engines at the Mk VIII, but in a slightly modified Mark Vc fuselage. This
allowed for rapid development and production of the new model. Work on fitting
the more power Merlin 61 with its two-stage supercharger had begun in the
summer of 1941, and on 27 September Spitfire N3297 (the only Mk III Spitfire
built) flew for the first time (the same month as the FW 190 became
operational). Three marks of Spitfire would be developed from this experimental
aircraft. The Mk VII and Mk VIII would use a redesigned fuselage, and this
meant that they would take too long to produce. The crisis was so serious that
the RAF was forced to stop all but the most important daytime operations over
occupied Europe in November 1941. When operations were resumed again, between
March and June 1942, losses were unacceptably heavy, and had to be stopped
again.
Work began with great urgency on
an interim Spitfire. The aim was to fit the Merlin 61 engine to a Mk V fuselage
while making as few changes as possible. The first test aircraft flew on 26
February 1942. It was so successful that it was ordered into full production.
Progress was rapid, and full production began in June 1942. It entered service
the next month with No.64 squadron at Hornchurch.
The Mk IX was a significant
improvement on the Mk V. It had a top speed of 409 mph at 28,000 feet, an
increase of 40 miles per hour. Its service ceiling rose from 36,200 feet to
43,000 feet. It could climb at 4,000 feet per minute. In July 1942 an early Mk
IX was flown against a captured Fw 190A, and the two aircraft were discovered
to have very similar capabilities. The RAF had its answer to the Fw 190 problem.
When the Mk VIII appeared later in 1942, its performance was very similar to
that of the Mk IX.
There were three main versions
of the Mk IX. The standard F.IX used the Merlin 61, and was the only version
produced until early 1943 1,255 F.Mk IXs were produced. It was then joined by a
version powered by the Merlin 66. This engine produced its best performance at
slightly lower altitudes than the Merlin 61. Spitfires equipped with this
engine were designated LF Mk IX. This was the most numerous version of the Mk
IX, with 4,010 produced. Finally, 410 high altitude HF.Mk IXs were produced
using the Merlin 70 engine, with an improved performance at high altitude.
The majority of Mk IXs of all
types used the standard “c” wing, which could carry four 20mm cannon or two
20mm cannon and four .303in machine guns. From 1944 some were built with the
“e” wing, which replaced the four .303in machine guns with two .50in heavy machine
guns.
The Mk IX (and very similar Mk
XVI) was produced in greater numbers than any other type of Spitfire. 284 were
converted from older versions, 557 built by Supermarine around Southampton, and
another 5117 at Castle Bromwich. With the 1053 Mk XVIs (the same aircraft with
a Packard Merlin engine) that amounts to a total of 7,011 aircraft.
The Mk IX replaced the Mk V from
June 1942. It allowed the RAF to go back onto the offensive in occupied Europe,
and resume the “circus”, “ramrod” and “rodeo” raids. Its first combat success
came on 30 July 1942, when an Spitfire Mk IX shot down a Fw 190. Amongst other
notable achievements, the Mk IX took part in the highest altitude combat of the
Second World War, when it intercepted a Ju 86R at 43,000 feet over Southampton
on 12 September 1942. On 5 October 1944 Spitfire Mk IXs of 401 Squadron were
the first allied aircraft to shoot down an Me 262 Jet. The Mk IX remained in
service until the end of the war, even after the appearance of the Griffon
powered Mk XIV.
