World War Photos

Spitfire PR X

It would seem logical that the Spitfire PR Mk X would have entered service before the PR Mk XI based on numerical sequencing, but the development timeline of the Spitfire doesn’t always follow a predictable pattern. In fact, the PR Mk X didn’t appear until the spring of 1944, by which point the PR Mk XI was already well-established in operational squadrons.

Only sixteen PR Mk Xs were built, making it a rare variant. Externally, the PR Mk X was almost identical to the PR Mk XI, with the main distinguishing feature being an air intake on the starboard side of the engine cowling, which supported a pressurized cockpit. This pressurization allowed the aircraft to perform at higher altitudes, making it suitable for high-altitude reconnaissance missions.

However, due to the small number of aircraft produced, it was not practical to maintain the PR Mk X in operational service. As a result, only two squadrons were equipped with this variant, and it saw limited use in its high-altitude role.

Specifications of the PR Mk X:

• Designation: PR Mk X
• Type Numbers: 362 & 387
• First Flight: March 1944 (MD192)
• Type: Photo-Reconnaissance Aircraft
• Span: 36 ft 10 in (11.23 m)
• Length: 31 ft 3 in [Tail Up]
• Height: 11 ft 6⅝ in [Tip of Prop, Tail Up]
• Engine:
  • Two-speed, two-stage 1,710 hp (1,275 kW) Merlin 64
• Weight:
  • Empty: 5,812 lb (2,642 kg)
  • Max Loaded: 8,159 lb (3,780 kg)
• Max Speed: 417 mph (671 km/h) at 24,200 ft (7,378 m)
• Fuel: 100 Octane
• Fuel Capacity:
  • Fuselage (Top): 47 Imp Gal (213 liters)
  • Fuselage (Lower): 48½ Imp Gal
  • Two 66 Imp Gal (300 liters) tanks (one in each wing leading edge)
  • Total: 228 Imp Gal (1,036 liters)
  • Additional provision for a 90 Imp Gal (409 liters) auxiliary tank for a maximum total fuel capacity of 318 Imp Gal (1,446 liters)
• Armament: None (optimized for reconnaissance missions)
• Cockpit: Pressurized, with a double-skin sliding canopy for high-altitude operations.
• Tailwheel: Retractable
• Camera Equipment:
  • Universal (‘U’) fit configuration
  • Two F.8 (20-inch focal length) vertical cameras
  • Two F.52 (20 or 36-inch focal length) or two F.24 (8 or 14-inch focal length) vertical cameras
  • One F.24 oblique camera
• Radio Equipment:
  • TR.1143
  • A.1271 (Beam Approach system)
• Propeller:
  • Rotol, four-blade, variable-pitch, constant-speed, Type R.12/4F5/4, made from Hydrulignum.
• Production: 16 conversions (based on the Mk VIII fuselage, with PR Mk XI wings)