27.09.2008, 18:17
"Hmm ... what is the difference between a Spit F IX and a Spit IXb. "
There isn't any its a nomenclature stuff up from imprecise authors its in the same vein as ME109 versus BF109.
When they use the term "stopgap" they are saying it was rushed in to use before the VIII. The VIII was already in development to replace the MKV but would take time to finesse and get into service. The IX was basically a MKV airframe with a new engine, some were actually converted MKVs. This stopgap turned out to be so it became a production model.
There isn't any its a nomenclature stuff up from imprecise authors its in the same vein as ME109 versus BF109.
When they use the term "stopgap" they are saying it was rushed in to use before the VIII. The VIII was already in development to replace the MKV but would take time to finesse and get into service. The IX was basically a MKV airframe with a new engine, some were actually converted MKVs. This stopgap turned out to be so it became a production model.