27.09.2008, 19:59
There actually was no Spitfire IXb.
The designation arose from the pilots referring to converted Vbs as IXbs. The official designation was F.IXc.
The IXc and IXe designations arose from the wings fitted, either the 'c' wing option - fitted with either four .303" machine guns and two cannon, or four cannon or the 'e' wing with 2 cannon and two .5" machine guns inboard of the cannon.
The F.IXc has the Merlin 61, 63, or 63A engine and the standard 'c' or universal wings from the MKV
the LF. IXc had the Merlin 66 and clipped wings, and the HF. IXc had the Merlin 70 with the standard wings. The extended wingtips used on the VII and VIII weren't used on the IX AFAIK. All engine options were two speed, two stage supercharged engines.
The only changes to this was the wing - which then formed the respective F.IXe, LF.IXe, and HF.IXe
When the FXVI started being produced, it was purley to be optimised for low level work, all had the clipped wings and the Merlin 266 (The packard merlin 66)
The IXc and IXe both had the pointed rudder, but the earlier IXc was the only one to have the curved rudder of the Vb. XVI had the pointed rudder only.
I think, though Im not sure, that the cut down fuse (or 'lowback') models of the IX were only IXes as well. The XVI was both.
I have heaps of info on the Spit, weights, speeds, armament, range, and comparitive data, and also information on the engines themselves somewhere - just let me know what you need.
The designation arose from the pilots referring to converted Vbs as IXbs. The official designation was F.IXc.
The IXc and IXe designations arose from the wings fitted, either the 'c' wing option - fitted with either four .303" machine guns and two cannon, or four cannon or the 'e' wing with 2 cannon and two .5" machine guns inboard of the cannon.
The F.IXc has the Merlin 61, 63, or 63A engine and the standard 'c' or universal wings from the MKV
the LF. IXc had the Merlin 66 and clipped wings, and the HF. IXc had the Merlin 70 with the standard wings. The extended wingtips used on the VII and VIII weren't used on the IX AFAIK. All engine options were two speed, two stage supercharged engines.
The only changes to this was the wing - which then formed the respective F.IXe, LF.IXe, and HF.IXe
When the FXVI started being produced, it was purley to be optimised for low level work, all had the clipped wings and the Merlin 266 (The packard merlin 66)
The IXc and IXe both had the pointed rudder, but the earlier IXc was the only one to have the curved rudder of the Vb. XVI had the pointed rudder only.
I think, though Im not sure, that the cut down fuse (or 'lowback') models of the IX were only IXes as well. The XVI was both.
I have heaps of info on the Spit, weights, speeds, armament, range, and comparitive data, and also information on the engines themselves somewhere - just let me know what you need.