THE AIRFORCE - AIRCRAFT - SPITFIRE MK IXE
Aircraft Stats:
Powerplant: 1 x 1,520 hp RR Merlin 70 piston engine
Speed: 657 kph, 408mph mph
Range: 698km, 434miles
Seats: 1
Length: 9.54m, 31ft 3.5in
Span: 11.23m, 10ft 10in
Empty Weight: 2 556kg, 5,634lb
Max T/O Weight: 4 309kg, 9,500lb
Period of Service: 1947 - 1954
Weapons:
None specified
Squadrons:
None specified
Attrition:
No incidents found
None specified
Squadrons:
None specified
Attrition:
No incidents found
Spitfire Mk IXe
Status: Retired
Manufacturer: Supermarine
Country of Manufacture: United Kingdom
Role: Fighter
Fighter/interceptor.
Following the end of the Second World War, Britain offered it's Commonwealth air forces a gift of surplus aircraft in recognition of their role during the war. This included 80 Spitfire Mk IXs, while a further 56 Mk IXs were purchased at £2,000 each.
Fifty of the older F.IXes were powered by the earlier Merlin 60 engine, while 86 were later production HF.IXe with broad-chord rudders, tear-drop canopies, Merlin 70 powerplants and 'E' type wing. Some later models had the clipped wing.
SAAF serial numbers were from 5501 to 5637.
Armament:
Two 20mm Hispano cannon and two 0.50 in (12.7 mm) Browning machine-guns in wings, and provision for 'zero-length' rocket rails or 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs.
Images:
