World War Photos

Spitfire Mk IX MK210 with metal drop tanks during tests in USA

The Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXc was a further development of the Mk IX series, designed as a single-seat fighter and primarily equipped with heavier armament. This model retained the core design and performance features of the Mk IXb, but the Mk IXc variant offered additional capabilities and flexibility in armament configurations.

Specifications:

• Designation: Mk IXc
• Type No.: 361
• Type: Single-seat Fighter

Dimensions:

• Wingspan: 36 ft 10 in (11.23 m)
• Length:
  • Standard: 30 ft 6 in (9.3 m)
  • With broad chord rudder: 31 ft ½ in (9.46 m)
• Height: 11 ft 8 in (3.55 m) [Tip of Prop, Tail Up]

Performance:

• Engine:
  • Two-speed, two-stage Merlin engines:
    • Merlin 61 (1,560 hp)
    • Merlin 63 or Merlin 63A (1,690 hp / 1,260 kW)
• Maximum Speed: 408 mph (657 km/h) at 25,000 ft (7,609 m)
• Service Ceiling: 44,000 ft (13,391 m)
• Range: 434 miles (698 km)

Fuel Capacity:

• Fuselage tanks:
  • Upper: 48 Imp Gal (218 L)
  • Lower: 37 Imp Gal (168 L)
• Auxiliary tanks:
  • 30 Imp Gal (136 L), 45 Imp Gal (204 L), or 90 Imp Gal (409 L) auxiliary tanks could be fitted.
  • 170 Imp Gal (773 L) long-range ferry tank could also be carried.
  • An additional 29 Imp Gal (132 L) fuselage tank could be installed for ferry flights, although this required the removal of all armament. The maximum long-range fuel capacity was 284 Imp Gal (1,291 L).

Armament:

• Standard Armament:
  • Two 20 mm Hispano cannon (120 rounds per gun) and four 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns (350 rounds per gun), or
  • Four 20 mm Hispano cannon (120 rounds per gun) for maximum firepower.
• Bomb Load:
  • Capacity to carry 1,000 lb (454 kg) of bombs, with a 500 lb (227 kg) bomb on the centerline and one 250 lb (113 kg) bomb under each wing.

Features:

• Cockpit: Unpressurized, equipped with internal bulletproof glass for pilot protection.
• Tailwheel: Fixed.
• Wing Type: Fighter (F) wing configuration.
• Propeller: Rotol four-blade, variable-pitch, constant-speed propellers with the following options:
  • Type R3/4F5/2 (Dural)
  • Type R3/4F5/3 (Dural)
  • Type R5/4F5/4 (Jablo or Hydrulignum)
  • Type R12/4F5/4 (Jablo or Hydrulignum)
  • All with a diameter of 10 ft 9 in (3.28 m).