The Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk.IXc is a British fighter aircraft from the Second World War. A further development of the Mk.IX model, the LF differs from its predecessor in that it has a new Merlin 66 engine, reinforced landing gear struts, a new air intake filter, and a wider rudder. The LF designation indicates a low-altitude engine setting, enabling the aircraft to reach its maximum speed at an altitude of approximately 6 kilometres. One variant of the Spitfire was the C-wing type.
Widely used by the RAF, the 'nines' were also supplied to certain USAAF units. From 1942 onwards, US Air Force units that arrived without their own aircraft were supplied with British Spitfires. Initially based in Great Britain, these units later served in North Africa. One example is the 52nd Fighter Group. Having begun training on Spitfires in July 1942, the unit was transferred to North Africa in November of that year. American pilots continued to fight in the North African theatre until the defeat of the German forces in May 1943. They then continued to serve in Spitfire Mk.IXs and Mk.VIIIs as part of the 12th Air Force. By March 1944, most British fighters had been replaced by Mustangs, though some Spitfires remained in service with American units until the end of the war. In total, the Royal Air Force transferred approximately 1,000 Spitfires of various modifications to the US Air Force.
The American Spitfire LF Mk.IXc has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27. This aircraft has an earlier set of weapons: 2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.II and 4 x 7.7 mm Browning, while the British LF Mk.IX already carries heavy machine guns. The Spitfire is a fighter with an outstanding combination of thrust-to-weight ratio and turning ability, while also possessing excellent climb performance. Its responsiveness across the entire speed range is commendable, but its roll rate suffers noticeably as speed increases. Its disadvantages include mediocre top speed and limited ammunition capacity for its main armament.
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| Belt | Belt filling | Armor penetration (mm) at a distance: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1000 m | 1500 m | 2000 m | ||
| HEI/SAP-I/T | 22 | 20 | 14 | 9 | 6 | 4 | |
| AP-T/HEI/SAP-I | 37 | 35 | 25 | 16 | 10 | 7 | |
| T/HEI/SAP-I/HEI/SAP-I | 22 | 20 | 14 | 9 | 6 | 4 | |
| AP-T/T/HEI | 37 | 35 | 25 | 16 | 10 | 7 | |
| AP-T/SAP-I/HEI/AP-T | 37 | 35 | 25 | 16 | 10 | 7 | |
| HEI/HEI/SAP-I | 22 | 20 | 14 | 9 | 6 | 4 | |
| Belt | Belt filling | Armor penetration (mm) at a distance: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1000 m | 1500 m | 2000 m | ||
| T/AP/AP-I/Ball/Ball/I | 13 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | |
| T/AP/AP-I/AP-I/I | 13 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | |
| IT/AP-I | 13 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | |
| AP-I/AP-I/I | 13 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | |
Flight performance | |
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Survivability |
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Weaponry | |
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