Spitfire Mk IX
Delays in development of the VIII inevitably postponed it service entry which hastily spurred the development of the Spitfire Mk IX - essentially the Mk V production airframe fitted with the two-stage, two-speed supercharged Rolls-Royce Merlin 61, 63, 66 or 70 series inline piston engines of 1,565 to 1,720 horsepower driving a four-bladed propeller assembly. Armament consisted of 2 x 20mm cannons and 4 x 7.7mm machine guns as well as provision for up to 1,000lbs of external drop ordnance (2 x 500lb bombs underwing) in the fighter-bomber role. These began appearing in June of 1942 and 5,665 were ultimately produced between Supermarine and Castle Bromwich and proved a fast answer to the ever-growing presence of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 of the German Luftwaffe at medium and high operational altitudes. Approximately 100 RAF and Commonwealth squadrons fielded the type to which some were even responsible for the downing of new Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighters. The Supermarine Mk IXC managed a top speed of 404 to 408 miles per hour with a range out to 434 miles and a service ceiling of 44,000 feet. The Mk IX became the most quantitative Spitfire in the latter years of the war. A clipped-wing version was also produced for low- to medium-level fighting. The Mk IXE was given 2 x 12.7mm heavy machine guns in place of the standard wing-mounted 4 x 7.7mm machine gun array.
The Mk IX was evolved into the requisite PR Mk IX and FR Mk IX armed reconnaissance and unarmed photo-reconnaissance mounts respectively, the first delivered on November 30th, 1942.
Spitfire PR Mk X
The Spitfire PR Mk X was nothing more than unarmed photo-reconnaissance mounts whose machine gun bays were replaced by internal fuel stores and camera equipment was fitted to oblique mounts aft of the cockpit. These were powered by Rolls-Royce Merlin inline piston engines and 16 were produced by Supermarine beginning service in May of 1944.
Spitfire PR Mk XI
The Spitfire PR Mk XI was another unarmed photo-reconnaissance variant fitting Merlin 61, 63, 63A and 70 (high-altitude) series engines. Supermarine produced 471 of the type beginning in November of 1942 of which 260 were delivered with the 61/63/63A engines and 211 with the Merlin 70. Despite the use of the high-altitude engine, which allowed for performance above 40,000 feet (in the case of enemy avoidance for example), the aircraft did not feature a pressurized cockpit which limited extreme high-level operations to a certain extent. Production spanned into December of 1944 before being replaced along the assembly lines by the PR Mk XIX (detailed further below).
The Griffon-powered Spitfire Mk XII
The Spitfire Mk XII fighter variant was the first Spitfire completed with the excellent Rolls-Royce Griffon IV series inline piston engine of 1,735 to 1,750 horsepower driving a five-bladed propeller assembly and designed in response to the growing threat of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 series in their low-level fighter-bomber guise. 100 of this type were produced by Supermarine for the RAF and were noted for their clipped wingtips for improved handling at lower altitudes. Armament consisted of 2 x 20mm cannons and 4 x 7.7mm machine guns as well as provision for up to 500lbs of external stores in the fighter-bomber role. The Mk XII first appeared in October of 1942.
Spitfire PR Mk XIII
The Spitfire PR Mk XIII was yet another reconnaissance version, this fitted with a single-stage Merlin engine.
Spitfire FR Mk XII
The Spitfire FR Mk XII was an unarmed photoreconnaissance version whose machine guns were given up for more internal fuel stowage. These aircraft were powered by Merlin inline engines.
Spitfire Mk XIV
The aforementioned Mk VIII was then evolved to become the quantitative late-war Spitfire Mk XIV with its Rolls-Royce Griffon 65 or 66 series inline engines of 2,050 - 2,078 horsepower, bubble canopy, lengthened fuselage and enlarged tail fin. The engine drove a five-bladed propeller assembly. Entering service in 1944, this version was armed with 2 x 20mm cannons and 4 x 7.7mm machine guns OR 2 x 12.7mm machine guns as well as provision for up to 500 to 1,000lbs of external stores in the fighter-bomber role. This version managed a top speed of 445 to 448 miles per hour, a range of 460 miles and a service ceiling of 44,000 feet. Performance was such that the Mk VIII was utilized in interception of German V-1 flying bombs and recorded 300 kills in this respect. An Mk XIV was credited with the downing of a Messerschmitt Me 262 in October of 1943 - the first such recorded instance by an Allied aircraft. In December of 1944, 33 Mk XIV fighter-bombers harassed V-2 rocket sites in the Netherlands with disastrous results heaped upon the enemy. Approximately 957 Spitfire Mk XIV mounts were produced by Supermarine.
Spitfire FR Mk XIV
The Spitfire FR Mk XIV appeared in late 1944 as a photo-reconnaissance version from Mk XIV fighter conversions from Supermarine.
Spitfire Mk XVI
The Spitfire Mk XVI (based on the Mk IX) then appeared as a dedicated ground-attack mount fitted with American-made Packard Merlin 266 series inline piston engines (a license-copy of the Merlin 66 series) of 1,720 horsepower, a cut-down rear fuselage spine and a bubble canopy for improved views. Provision for high-explosive air-launched 60lb rockets was added via rails underwing while a 500lb could be carried along centerline and 2 x 250lb bombs underwing in place of the rockets. Standard armament remained 2 x 20mm cannons and 4 x 7.7mm machine guns, all in the wings. The 7.7mm systems were sometimes substituted with 2 x 12.7mm heavy machine guns. These appeared in 1944 and managed a top speed of 405 miles per hour with an internal fuel range of 430 miles and a service ceiling of 41,500 feet. These proved the last of the Spitfire wartime fighter-bomber marks and stocked 11 squadrons of the 2ns Tactical Air Force by war's end. Production of this mark totaled 1,054 units out of Castle Bromwich with entry in October of 1944.
Spitfire FR Mk XVIII/Mk 18
The Spitfire FR Mk XVIII/Mk 18 was a fighter reconnaissance version directly developed from the existing Mk XIV line and appeared with the RAF just prior to the end of the war but missed combat service altogether. The Spitfire FR Mk XVIII arrived at war's end and proved a photo-reconnaissance mount complete with its camera installation and additional fuel. These were powered by a Rolls-Royce Griffon two-stage inline piston engine and sported bubble canopies. 300 of the type were produced by Supermarine beginning in June of 1945.
Spitfire PR Mk XIX/Mk 19
The Spitfire PR Mk XIX was another reconnaissance development powered by the Rolls-Royce Griffon inline piston engine based on the Mk XI. A pressurized cabin was added later in production with increased internal fuel . The type managed a top speed of 442 miles per hour. 224 were produced by Supermarine beginning in May of 1944.
Spitfire Mk 21, Mk 22, Mk 23 and Mk 24
Final late-war and psot-war Spitfire variants went on to include the Spitfire Mk 21 was completed with its Rolls-Royce Griffon 61 or 64 series inline piston engines and based on the Mk XIV airframe - 120 were produced out of Castle Bromwich beginning in January of 1944. The Spitfire Mk 22 saw its powerplant become the Rolls-Royce Griffon 85 series inline piston engine developing 2,373 horsepower and driving a contra-rotating propeller assembly while sporting a cut-down fuselage spine and tear-drop canopy for improved views as well as a larger tail fin - 272 were produced between Supermarine and Castle Bromwich beginning in March of 1945. The Mk 23 was a proposed variant that evolved to become the Supermarine Valiant detailed below. The Spitfire Mk 24 was an improved Spitfire and final production type with a top speed of 454 miles per hour with a 30,000 foot service ceiling. This saw entry in 1946 and was produced in 81 examples by Supermarine beginning in March of 1946.
Supermarine Seafire - The Naval Development
The Supermarine Seafire was the navalized version of the Spitfire Mk VB production fighter, designed for the rigors of carrier life under the Fleet Air Arm banner after successful conversions of Hawker Hurricanes for the same role. These were produced in 2, 334 to 2,556 examples (sources vary) through the Merlin-powered Mk IB (2 x 20mm cannon, 4 x 7.7mm machine guns, V arrestor gear), Mk IIC (May 1942, 4 x 20mm cannon with reinforced fuselage, rocket-assisted take-off equipment) and Mk III (manually-actuated folding wings, Merlin 45, 50 or 55 engines of 1,470 horsepower) variants and the Griffon-powered versions of Mk XV (appearing 1945, sting arrestor gear), Mk XVII (bubble canopy, cut-down rear fuselage spine, increased fuel capacity), Mk 45 (based on the Spitfire F Mk XXI, five-bladed or 2 x three-bladed contra-rotating propellers), Mk 46 (bubble canopy, lower fuselage spine) and Mk 47 (final Seafire production form with power-folding wings) variants.
The Mk IIC was also evolved into a low-altitude fighter development (L Mk IIC) as well as a photo-graphic reconnaissance platform (LR Mk IIC). The Mk III was also furthered into these same roles as the L Mk III and LR Mk III respectively. The Mk XVII was developed into a photo-reconnaissance model with two cameras. The Mk 46 was evolved in a similar fashion to become the Seafire FR Mk 46. Trials were held on the deck of the HMS Illustrious at the end of 1941 to prove the conversion sound. The Supermarine Seafire was powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin 55 12-cylinder V liquid-cooled inline piston engine of 1,490 horsepower. This supplied the type with a top speed of 351 miles per hour, a range of 725 miles and a service ceiling of 33,888 feet. Armament for Seafires was generally 2 x 20mm cannons and 4 x 7.7mm machine guns with support for 1 x 500lb bomb at fuselage centerline or 2 x 250lb bombs underwing.
Seafires gave good account of themselves particularly early on when they were used with efficiency over the North African amphibious assaults. Only later during operations over Southern France did the type's narrow-track undercarriage prove a failing for carrier use. Some Seafires also saw service in the Pacific Theater while the latter Griffon-engined versions operated until 1954 in reserve. The Seafire operated with the forces of the Fleet Air Arm, the French Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Irish Air Corps.
Supermarine Spiteful - The Spitfire Replacement
A proposed (though ultimately dropped) Spitfire variant became the Supermarine Spiteful (Spitfire XIV) developed by Joe Smith who succeeded R.J. Mitchell after his death. The type was developed as a potential replacement for the Spitfire series and achieved first flight on June 30th, 1944. However, only two prototypes and 17 production models of the 150 ordered were ever completed due to the end of the war and the arrival of the jet age. The navalized version of the land-based aircraft was to be the Supermarine Seafang. The Spiteful existed in five distinct marks beginning with the F Mk 14 followed by the F Mk 15, F Mk 16, F Mk 31 and F Mk 32.
The End of the Road
In all, 20,334 to 20,351 Supermarine Spitfires were produced (sources vary) from 1938 to 1949. The last recorded mission by a RAF Spitfire occurred over Malaya on April 1st, 1954. The last operational Spitfire - this with the Irish Air Corps - was retired in 1961. Over 30 nations ultimately exhibited the aircraft in frontline service, marking her as one of the most produced combat fighter aircraft behind the German Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Soviet Lavochkin La-5 series, ending up just ahead of the German Focke-Wulf 190.
Operators of the Supermarine Spitfire were worldwide with the aircraft seeing service beyond Britain's Royal Air Force. Spitfires were operated in one form or another through Argentina (limited use), Australia, Belgium, Burma, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Nazi Germany (limited), Greece, Hong Kong, British Raj, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Rhodesia, South Africa, Soviet Union, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, the United States and Yugoslavia.
Overall, the Spitfire stood extremely well against its contemporaries of the time which generally included the Messerschmitt Bf 109, Focke-Wulf Fw 190 and North American P-51 fighters of the European Theater. All were adapted for the fighter, fighter-bomber, interception, ground attack and reconnaissance role with success and produced in the tens of thousands.
Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.