Supermarine 509 Spitfire T.9 Aircraft Data
Not until 1941, some thought was given to a conversion trainer based on the Spitfire. Although there had been some 'in-field' conversions, like Spitfire V ES127 of No. 4 Squadron, SAAF in Sicily, there seemed to be no urgent need.
This was to change in the immediate post-war period. Despite large numbers of surplus Mark IX aircraft, Vickers opted for the Mk.VIII airframe as basis for their first prototype, the Spitfire 502 Tr.8. This aircraft, N32/G-AIDN, (ex RAF serial MT818), made her first flight on 9 September 1946. This aircraft is still in airworthy condition and operates out of Biggin Hill.
In 1947 India and the Netherlands bought ten and three aircraft respectively for their air arms.
In September 1950, the Irish Government ordered six two-seat aircraft from Vickers-Armstrongs. The aircraft were delivered in June and July 1951.
Of these aircraft five examples remain airworthy:
IAC-158 (ex RAF MJ627), registered as GBMSB in the UK.
IAC-159 (ex RAF MJ772), registered as G-AVAV in the UK.
IAC-161 (ex RAF PV202), registered in the UK as G-CCCA.
IAC-162 (ex RAF ML407), registered as G-LFIX in the UK.
IAC-163 (ex RAF TE308), registered in the USA as N308WK, exported to the UK in 2019 and based at Biggin Hill.
In April 1950, the air force of Egypt took delivery of one IX conversion.
This was to change in the immediate post-war period. Despite large numbers of surplus Mark IX aircraft, Vickers opted for the Mk.VIII airframe as basis for their first prototype, the Spitfire 502 Tr.8. This aircraft, N32/G-AIDN, (ex RAF serial MT818), made her first flight on 9 September 1946. This aircraft is still in airworthy condition and operates out of Biggin Hill.
In 1947 India and the Netherlands bought ten and three aircraft respectively for their air arms.
In September 1950, the Irish Government ordered six two-seat aircraft from Vickers-Armstrongs. The aircraft were delivered in June and July 1951.
Of these aircraft five examples remain airworthy:
IAC-158 (ex RAF MJ627), registered as GBMSB in the UK.
IAC-159 (ex RAF MJ772), registered as G-AVAV in the UK.
IAC-161 (ex RAF PV202), registered in the UK as G-CCCA.
IAC-162 (ex RAF ML407), registered as G-LFIX in the UK.
IAC-163 (ex RAF TE308), registered in the USA as N308WK, exported to the UK in 2019 and based at Biggin Hill.
In April 1950, the air force of Egypt took delivery of one IX conversion.
- Country of Origin: United Kingdom
- First Flight: 1948
- Initial Service Date: 1948
- No. Built: 20
- No. In Service: 0 (approx.)
- No. of Hardpoints: 0
- Crew: 2
Power:
Rolls Royce Merlin 66 at 1,720 hp
Weapons:
The two-seat T.IX carried no armament, although the option existed to install two 20mm Hispano cannon (120 rounds per cannon) and four .303 brownings with 350 rounds per gun.
Dimensions:
| Length: | 376,5 in. |
| Wing Span: | 36.10 in. |
| Wing Area: | 242 sq.ft |
| Height: | 151,75 in. |
| Empty Weight: | 5,850 lbs |
| Max. Weight: | 7,300 lbs |
Performance:
| Max. Speed: | 386 mph |
| Service Ceiling: | 41,500 ft. |
| Normal Range: | 234 nm |
Operators:
EgyptIndia
Ireland
Netherlands
Random great photos of the Supermarine 509 Spitfire T.9:
