World War Photos

Spitfire Mk IXB FU-Z of No. 453 Squadron RAAF on the ground at Ford, 1944

The Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXb was a variant of the Mk IX, one of the most significant and versatile models used during World War II. The Mk IXb was designed as a single-seat fighter, specifically to counter the German Focke-Wulf Fw 190, and was a result of emergency upgrades to enhance performance.

Specifications:

• Type No.: 361
• First Flight: 29th August 1942 (N3927)
• 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 (3.56 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)
• Maximum Speed: 408 mph (657 km/h) at 25,000 ft (7,608 m)
• Service Ceiling: 44,000 ft (13,410 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 (136 L), 45 (204 L), or 90 (409 L) Imp Gal auxiliary tanks could be fitted.
  • 170 Imp Gal (773 L) long-range ferry tank could be carried, with an optional 29 Imp Gal (136 L) fuselage tank.
  • Total maximum fuel capacity with these configurations was 284 Imp Gal (1,291 L). In this configuration, all armament was removed for ferry flights.

Armament:

• Standard armament options:
  • 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 greater firepower.
• Bomb load:
  • Capable of carrying 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, fitted 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 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 10 ft 9 in (3.28 m) diameter.

Note:

• No camera gun was installed in this variant.

Production:

• Total Mk IX Production: 1,255 units.

The Mk IXb proved to be one of the most effective variants of the Spitfire, playing a crucial role in air superiority battles. It was praised for its balance of speed, firepower, and maneuverability, making it an excellent aircraft for both dogfighting and ground-attack missions.