Procopius Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Okay, I knew of the IXc, and the IXe, and about clipped wings, and broad-chord rudders. But what visually differentiates the IXb from the IXc? Is it just a convenient name for an early conversion IXc? (Does that freightdog resin set for an early Mark IX=IXb?) "Johnnie" Johnson's first Spitfire IX was an IXb, correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennings Heilig Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) Others will pop up with much more detailed answers, but I believe initially that designated engine type. There was no Mk.IX with the "b" wing (as in Mk.Vb) that I'm aware of. I don't think "IXb" was ever an official designation. Somewhere I have an Air Enthusiast article on the genesis of the Mk.IX that sorts that all out. Edited February 7, 2012 by Jennings Heilig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Test Graham Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 No. The Mk.IXB was the term applied by the squadrons for the LF Mk.IX, with its Merlin 66 engine giving more power at lower altitudes that the earlier engines. It was always unofficial. The initial version of the Mk.IX was the F Mk.IX. There is no official designation Mk.IXc - but it is very convenient. There are a number of differences to be seen on early Mk.IXs. Some of them are very limited, such as the early Supermarine (extended) and RR (bulged) cowlings. Another is the oil cooler inlet in the wing root. Vasco Barbic did an excellent article for Air Enthusiast which covered these aircraft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawk Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 There are a number of differences to be seen on early Mk.IXs. Some of them are very limited, such as the early Supermarine (extended) and RR (bulged) cowlings. Another is the oil cooler inlet in the wing root. Vasco Barbic did an excellent article for Air Enthusiast which covered these aircraft. Actually I think it was Wojtek Matusiak: it appeared in Air Enthusiast 95 (Sep/Oct 2001), on pages 14-31. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Test Graham Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 You are quite correct - I hang my head in shame. Vasco Barbic did an article covering the range of Spitfire wings at about the same time and I have confused the two more than once. I shall have to scan the pair and hang them over my computer...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawk Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 You are quite correct - I hang my head in shame. Quite right. Watch and learn: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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