Supermarine 361 Spitfire LF.IXc Aircraft Data
The appearance of the Focke Wulf Fw 190 over the Western Front in September 1941 caused considerable headache, even panic, in RAF Fighter Command as it became painfully clear, that the Spitfire V was no match for the new Luftwaffe fighter. Although the Spitfire VIII was already under development, production difficulties had led to a delay of entry into operational service for a considerable time. The balance of air power had shifted firmly against the RAF and had effectively ended almost all RAF operations over occupied Europe.
The aircraft that in potential could deal with the Fw 190 menace were the pressurised Mark VII and the unpressurised Mark VIII. Both marks were to be powered by the Rolls Royce Merlin 61, but were quite some time away from being ready for production as the new engine required strengthening of the airframe.
At about the same time it was suggested that the new Merlin 61 engine should be installed in the Mark V airframe as a short term solution to restore the RAF's air supremacy.
On 20 September 1941, N3297, originally a Mk.I and also the Mk.III prototype, made her first flight with the new engine from Hucknall, Derbyshire. The Spitfire was sent to Boscombe Down for evaluation on 20 October, 1941 and was followed by R6700 on 4 March, 1942.
Subsequent tests with the Merlin 60 in a basic Mark I and the Merlin 61 in two unstrengthened Mark Vc airframes (AB196 and AB197; both aircraft flew with their new engines on 26 February 1942 and 27 March 1942 respectively) proved so promising, that this combination was put into production. Although initially envisaged as just an interim type, the new aircraft, designated the Type 361, the Spitfire IX, would eventually become the second most numerous variant of this legendary fighter. The exact number of Mark IXs is open to interpretation and ranges from 5,440 to 5,663.
The first operational Spitfire Mk. IX aircraft reached No.64 Squadron at RAF Hornchurch, Essex, in June 1942.
Engines for the IXc:
Merlin 61 (1,560hp/1,1635kW); Merlin 63 (1,690hp/1,260kW) or Merlin 63A (a Merlin 63 with Merlin 64 crankcase but without cabin blower).
Engine for the LF.IXc:
Merlin 66 (1,720hp/1,282kW)
Engine for the HF.IXc:
Merlin 70 (1,710hp/1,275kW)
The aircraft that in potential could deal with the Fw 190 menace were the pressurised Mark VII and the unpressurised Mark VIII. Both marks were to be powered by the Rolls Royce Merlin 61, but were quite some time away from being ready for production as the new engine required strengthening of the airframe.
At about the same time it was suggested that the new Merlin 61 engine should be installed in the Mark V airframe as a short term solution to restore the RAF's air supremacy.
On 20 September 1941, N3297, originally a Mk.I and also the Mk.III prototype, made her first flight with the new engine from Hucknall, Derbyshire. The Spitfire was sent to Boscombe Down for evaluation on 20 October, 1941 and was followed by R6700 on 4 March, 1942.
Subsequent tests with the Merlin 60 in a basic Mark I and the Merlin 61 in two unstrengthened Mark Vc airframes (AB196 and AB197; both aircraft flew with their new engines on 26 February 1942 and 27 March 1942 respectively) proved so promising, that this combination was put into production. Although initially envisaged as just an interim type, the new aircraft, designated the Type 361, the Spitfire IX, would eventually become the second most numerous variant of this legendary fighter. The exact number of Mark IXs is open to interpretation and ranges from 5,440 to 5,663.
The first operational Spitfire Mk. IX aircraft reached No.64 Squadron at RAF Hornchurch, Essex, in June 1942.
Engines for the IXc:
Merlin 61 (1,560hp/1,1635kW); Merlin 63 (1,690hp/1,260kW) or Merlin 63A (a Merlin 63 with Merlin 64 crankcase but without cabin blower).
Engine for the LF.IXc:
Merlin 66 (1,720hp/1,282kW)
Engine for the HF.IXc:
Merlin 70 (1,710hp/1,275kW)
- Country of Origin: United Kingdom
- First Flight: 20 September 1941
- Initial Service Date:
- No. Built: 5,440
- No. In Service: 0 (approx.)
- No. of Hardpoints: 3
- Crew: 1
Power:
Rolls Royce Merlin 66 at 1,720 hp
Weapons:
Initially the armament of the Spitfire IX consisted of two 20mm Hispano cannon with 120 rounds each and four 0.303 Browning machine guns, each with 350 rounds. The other configuration being the eight Browning variant.
In the fighter-bomber role the Mark IX had the capacity to carry a bomb load of 1,000lbs: one 500lb (227 kg) bomb on the centreline rack and one 250lb (114 kg) bomb under each wing.
Towards the end of the Mark IX production, the E-wing with four 20mm Hispano cannon was introduced. Another E-wing configuration consisted of two Hispano cannon with two 0.50in (12.7mm) Browning machine guns.
In the fighter-bomber role the Mark IX had the capacity to carry a bomb load of 1,000lbs: one 500lb (227 kg) bomb on the centreline rack and one 250lb (114 kg) bomb under each wing.
Towards the end of the Mark IX production, the E-wing with four 20mm Hispano cannon was introduced. Another E-wing configuration consisted of two Hispano cannon with two 0.50in (12.7mm) Browning machine guns.
Dimensions:
| Length: | 31ft 4 in. |
| Wing Span: | 36ft 10 in. |
| Wing Area: | 231 sq.ft |
| Height: | 11ft 5 in. |
| Empty Weight: | 5,800 lbs |
| Max. Weight: | 7,296 lbs |
| Internal Fuel: | 632.90 lbs |
Performance:
| Max. Speed: | 404 mph |
| Service Ceiling: | 42,500 ft. |
| Normal Range: | 434 nm |
Operators:
ArgentinaBelgium
Burma
Czechoslovakia
Denmark
Egypt
France
Greece
Israel
Italy
Netherlands
Norway
Sovjet Union
Turkey
United Kingdom
Random great photos of the Supermarine 361 Spitfire LF.IXc:
