SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE IXB

Manufacturer       (Principal):                                                                               Supermarine Division of Vickers-Armstrongs in factories at, Southampton, Winchester, Swindon and Castle Bromwich.
  
                (Subcontracted to):Variously sub-contracted.
  
Manufacturer DesignationType 361
  
Aircraft Mk.Mk. IXB
  
RAF Designation:Mk. IXB
  
Construction:All – metal monocoque
  
Crew:One
  
Wing Span:32ft. 2in.
  
Length:                                    31ft. ½in.
  
Height:                                   12ft. 8in.
  
Engine:1,720hp. Merlin 66
  
Fuel: 
  
        Internal Tanks85 gallons
  
        Supplemental Tanks30, 45, 50 (cylindrical) or 90 gallon belly tanks could be carried.
  
Maximum: 
  
Weight: 
  
Empty:                                  5,090lbs.
  
Loaded:                                 7,320lbs.
  
Range:434miles on 85 gallons / 980miles on 175 gallons.
  
Bomb Load:250lb Bomb (2 Nr.) 1 Nr. under each wing / 500lb.bomb (1 Nr.) under centre line of aircraft’s belly.
  
Armament:20mm Hispano cannon (2 Nr.) 1in each wing.
  
 ·303 Browning machine gun (4 Nr.) 2 in each wing
  
Speed: 
  
Maximum:404mph. at 21,000ft.
  
Cruising:                                324mph. at 20,000ft.
  
Service Ceiling Height:42,500ft.
  
Initial Rate of Climb:6.4min. to 20,000ft.
  
  
Bradwell Bay Service: 
  
Squadron:126
  
Motto:Foremost in Attack.
  
Code:5J
  
Dates:15th July – 10th August 1945
  
Missions:Bomber escort.
  
Colour Scheme.                    Standard RAF pattern: Dark green and Ocean grey upper surfaces. Medium Sea Grey lower surfaces.
  
Aircraft Nickname/s:Shrew – is what R. J. Mitchell wanted call it, he thought Spitfire to be a “dammed silly” name. 
  
 Spit.
 
Technical data: Aircraft of the RAF 1918 by Owen Thetford and Jane’s Fighting Aircraft of World War II