Difference between revisions of "Spitfire F Mk IX"

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{{Specs-Card|code=spitfire_ix_early}}
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{{Specs-Card
{{Notice|''This page is about the aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''. For other uses, see [[Spitfire_(Disambiguation)|Spitfire (Disambiguation)]]''}}
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|code=spitfire_ix_early
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|cockpit=cockpit_spitfire_ix_early.jpg
 +
}}
 +
{{About
 +
| about = British fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = other versions
 +
| link = Spitfire (Family)
 +
}}
 +
 
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
<!--''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''-->
+
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
 
 
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
{{break}}
 
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} British fighter {{BR2}} It was introduced in Update 1.35.
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.35]].
  
Because the muzzle velocity of both the Hispanos (muzzle velocity: 870 m/s) and the MGs (muzzle velocity: 854 m/s) is practically the same you could put tracers on the MGs and air belt on the Hispanos. This is a great way for players to get a feel of where to aim in RB and it's easier to hit your shots maximizing your efficiency and potentially saving ammo. A downside to this is that the element of surprise is short lived as your enemy will see the tracers flying past him and he will quickly react. Another thing is that short bursts are required with the cannons especially without the cannon upgrades as they overheat (and thus jam) very quickly.
+
Because the muzzle velocity of both the Hispanos (870 m/s) and the MGs (854 m/s) is practically the same you could put tracers on the MGs and air targets belt on the Hispanos. This is a great way for players to get a feel of where to aim in RB and it's easier to hit your shots maximising your efficiency and potentially saving ammo. A downside to this is that the element of surprise is short lived as your enemy will see the tracers flying past him and he will quickly react. Another thing is that short bursts are required with the cannons especially without the cannon upgrades as they overheat (and thus jam) very quickly.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
=== Flight Performance ===
+
=== Flight performance ===
<!--''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Maximum speed, maneuverability, speed and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''-->
+
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''
 +
 
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
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! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
 
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run<br>(meters)
+
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters)
 
|-
 
|-
! AB
+
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
! RB
 
! AB
 
! RB
 
! AB
 
! RB
 
 
|-
 
|-
| 622 || 609 || 11,500 || 18.4 || 18.7 || 15.8 || 15.8 || 380
+
| 627 || 609 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 18.1 || 18.7 || 15.8 || 15.8 || 380
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
 
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 8,537 m)
 
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 8,537 m)
! rowspan="2" |Max altitude (meters)
+
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
+
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
 
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
+
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters)
 
|-
 
|-
! AB
+
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
! RB
 
! AB
 
! RB
 
! AB
 
! RB
 
 
|-
 
|-
| 677 || 650 || 11,500 || 16.3 || 17.2 || 27.9 || 19.5 || 380
+
| 676 || 650 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 16.4 || 17.2 || 24.4 || 19.5 || 380
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
====Details====
+
==== Details ====
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="5" | Features
 
! colspan="5" | Features
 
|-
 
|-
! Combat flap
+
! Combat flaps
! Take-off flap
+
! Take-off flaps
! Landing flap
+
! Landing flaps
 
! Air brakes
 
! Air brakes
 
! Arrestor gear
 
! Arrestor gear
 
|-
 
|-
| || || ✓ || X || X    <!-- ✓ -->
+
| X || X || ✓ || X || X    <!-- ✓ -->
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h)
 
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h)
 
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h)
 
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flap<br> (km/h)
+
! rowspan="2" | Combat flaps<br>(km/h)
 
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 
|-
 
|-
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! -
 
! -
 
|-
 
|-
| 774 || 260 || ??? || ~12 || ~7
+
| {{Specs|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 290 || ~10 || ~5
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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! Radiator<br>(km/h)
 
! Radiator<br>(km/h)
 
|-
 
|-
| < 321 || < 400 || < 450 || > 250
+
| < 321 || < 400 || < 350 || > 470
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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! WEP Engine power
 
! WEP Engine power
 
|-
 
|-
| 4,200 m || 1,300 hp || 1,543 hp  
+
| 4,100 m || 1,400 hp || 1,624 hp
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
 
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
Line 115: Line 113:
 
! WEP Engine power
 
! WEP Engine power
 
|-
 
|-
| 7,500 m || 1,150 hp || 1,334 hp  
+
| 8,000 m || 1,160 hp || 1,346 hp
 
|-
 
|-
<!--! colspan="3" | Setting 3
 
|-
 
! Optimal altitude
 
! 100% Engine power
 
! WEP Engine power
 
|-
 
| ?,??? m || ?,??? hp || ?,??? hp
 
|- -->
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
<!--''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured. Describe the armour, if there is any, also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''-->
+
<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' -->
* 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Armored windscreen
+
 
* 3 mm Steel - Armor plate on top of fuel tanks
+
* 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen
* 4 mm Steel - Armor plate on pilot's seat. Behind pilot is another 6-7 mm steel plate
+
* 3 mm Steel - Armour plate on top of fuel tanks
* 3 mm Steel - Armor plates around ammunition
+
* 4 mm Steel - Armour plate on pilot's seat. Behind pilot is another 6-7 mm steel plate
 +
* 3 mm Steel - Armour plates around ammunition
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 
=== Offensive armament ===
<!--''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.''-->
+
<!-- ''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.'' -->
{{main|Browning .303 (7.7 mm)|Hispano Mk.II (20 mm)}}
+
{{main|Hispano Mk.II (20 mm)|Browning .303 (7.7 mm)}}
  
 
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
 
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
  
* 2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannon, wing-mounted (120 rpg = 240 total)
+
* 2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannons, wing-mounted (120 rpg = 240 total)
* 4 x 7.7 mm Browning machine gun, wing-mounted (350 rpg = 1,400 total)
+
* 4 x 7.7 mm Browning .303 machine guns, wing-mounted (350 rpg = 1,400 total)
  
 
=== Suspended armament ===
 
=== Suspended armament ===
<!--''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.''-->
+
<!-- ''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.'' -->
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;''Main article:&nbsp;'''[[:Category:Suspended armaments|Bombs]]'''''
+
{{main|G.P. 250 lb Mk.IV (250 lb)}}
 +
 
 +
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
  
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordinance:
 
 
* Without load
 
* Without load
* 1 x G.P. 250 lb Mk.IV bomb (250 lb total)
+
* 1 x 250 lb G.P. 250 lb Mk.IV bomb (250 lb total)
<!--
+
 
=== Defensive armament ===
+
== Usage in battles ==
''Defensive armament with turret machine guns or cannons, crewed by gunners. Examine the number of gunners and what belts or drums are better to use. If defensive weaponry is not available remove this subsection.''
+
<!--''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->
-->
+
As a Spitfire Mk IX at its realistic mode battle rating, the most common and dangerous opponents are Bf 109's, normally the G2/Trop and F4 variants both of which often benefit from a better team composition on the axis side. When facing them you should never attempt to hold an extended dogfight above 5,000 m as you will lose a significant portion of the engine power in comparison to them, instead, you should take the fight below 5 km where you can outrun a Bf 109 F4, although Fw 190's and the German variant P-47 will catch up easily at the lower altitude.
== Usage in the battles ==
+
 
<!--''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->
+
The advantages of your plane in both an up-tier and down-tier remain largely the same in that you can out-turn almost anything except all models of the A6M 'Zero' and the A7M 'Reppu' along with earlier spitfires you might face such as the Italian Spitfire Mk Vb/Trop. In this scenario you should play cautiously and try to energy fight them, extending away and climbing. For head-ons, since the armament of 2 x 20 mm and 4 x 7.7 mm machine guns are rather lacklustre. You usually should avoid these. If you really want to, though, use stealth rounds and fire from 1,000-1,400 metres away from the target while using a 500 m convergence. However, this spitfire does best at mid-close ranges (200-600 metres) with either 400 m or 300 m convergence. The wing-mounted guns aren't really good for head-ons.
 +
 
 +
Another aspect to consider and adjust your playstyle to is that while the acceleration and turn time is good, engine overheating in RB and SB should be managed using manual engine controls and pulling more than 9G's while rolling puts you at risk of ripping your wing off. Additionally, since the Inline engine is very vulnerable to damage and the Spitfire requires lots of time on target, practice proper methods of attacking bombers using boom and zoom tactics as tail-sitting enemy bombers with decent defensive armaments like the Me 264 and the He 177 is not likely to end well at all.
  
===Manual Engine Control===
+
=== Manual Engine Control ===
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
 
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
 
|-
 
|-
! rowspan="2" |Mixer
+
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
! rowspan="2" |Pitch
+
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
! colspan="3" |Radiator
+
! colspan="3" | Radiator
! rowspan="2" |Supercharger
+
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
! rowspan="2" |Turbocharger
+
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Oil
 
! Oil
 
! Water
 
! Water
! Type  
+
! Type
 
|-
 
|-
| Controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Not ontrollable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable
+
| Controllable || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Not controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Controllable<br>Auto control available || Combined || Controllable<br>2 gears || Not controllable
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
===Modules===
+
=== Modules ===
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan = "1"| Tier
+
! Tier
!colspan = "2"| Flight performance
+
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
!colspan = "1"| Survivability
+
! Survivability
!colspan = "2"| Weaponry
+
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
 
|-
 
|-
 
| I
 
| I
| Fuselage Repair
+
| Fuselage repair
 
| Radiator
 
| Radiator
|  
+
|
 
| Offensive 7 mm
 
| Offensive 7 mm
 
| Offensive 20 mm
 
| Offensive 20 mm
 
|-
 
|-
 
| II
 
| II
|  
+
|
 
| Compressor
 
| Compressor
 
| Airframe
 
| Airframe
 
| New 7 mm MGs
 
| New 7 mm MGs
| New 20 mm Cannons
+
| New 20 mm cannons
 
|-
 
|-
 
| III
 
| III
| Wings Repair
+
| Wings repair
 
| Engine
 
| Engine
|  
+
|
 
| SBC mark 25
 
| SBC mark 25
 
| Mk.II year 1942
 
| Mk.II year 1942
 
|-
 
|-
 
| IV
 
| IV
|  
+
|
| Engine Injection
+
| Engine injection
 
| Cover
 
| Cover
|  
+
|
 
| Mk.II year 1943
 
| Mk.II year 1943
 
|-
 
|-
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=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''-->
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
 +
 
* Great maneuverability
 
* Great maneuverability
 
* Good roll rate
 
* Good roll rate
 
* Good low-level performance
 
* Good low-level performance
* Larger ammo supply of 120 rpg for the 20 mm cannons, compared to some predecessors with 60 rpg
+
* Larger ammo supply of 120 RPG for the 20 mm cannons, compared to the Spitfires with the Type 'B' wings with 60 RPG
* Machine gun ammo pool of 350 rpg make for good, prolonged back up weapons
+
* Machine gun ammo pool of 350 RPG makes for good, prolonged backup weapons
* Faster then previous Spitfire versions due to newer engine
+
* Faster than previous Spitfire versions due to a newer engine
* Performing quick negative G maneuvers will not shut off the engine (RB/SB)
+
* Performing quick negative G manoeuvres will not shut off the engine (RB/SB)
* You can actually use tracers belts for machine guns, which means this aircraft can help new RB player with shooting
+
* You can actually use tracers belts for machine guns, which means this aircraft can help new RB player with shooting.
 +
* Like previous versions of British planes, the tracer belts are composed entirely of incendiary bullets (IT and AP-I).
 +
* Incredibly fast climber, out-climbs 109s when upgraded
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
 +
 
* Ammunition pool for 20 mm still relatively small, must be conservative when shooting
 
* Ammunition pool for 20 mm still relatively small, must be conservative when shooting
* Cannons overheat and jam quickly, especially when in stock configuration
+
* Cannons overheat and jam quickly, when not in 1942/1943 configuration
* When 20 mm runs out or jams, plane is left with only four rather underwhelming 7.7 mm machine guns
+
* When 20 mm runs out or jams, the plane is left with only four 7.7 mm machine guns
* Poor high altitude performance
+
* Poor high altitude performance (above 5000m)
 
* Poor acceleration
 
* Poor acceleration
* Roll rate starts stiffening at ~400 kph
+
* Roll rate starts stiffening at ~400 km/h
 
* Liquid-cooled engines mean one hit to the cooling system can force a return to the airfield for repairs (RB/SB)
 
* Liquid-cooled engines mean one hit to the cooling system can force a return to the airfield for repairs (RB/SB)
 
* Very difficult to attack bombers, as the engine is very susceptible to damage from enemy gunners
 
* Very difficult to attack bombers, as the engine is very susceptible to damage from enemy gunners
 +
* Fragile airframe
 +
* Catches fire easily, not all fuel tanks are self sealing
 +
* 20mm incredibly inaccurate even at close ranges when stock
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''
 +
 
 +
=== In-game description ===
 +
The Supermarine Spitfire was a British single-engine, all-metal, low-wing monoplane fighter. While the Mk VII and Mk VIII variants was being designed, a Spitfire Mk III was tested in September 1941 with the new Rolls Royce 60 in the hopes of developing an interim fighter to use as a stop gap measure. The new Spitfire performed exceptionally well, and was rushed into production as the Mk IX. The Air Fighting Development Unit described the Mk IX as 'outstandingly better than the Mk V especially at heights above 20,000 feet' and even though it was not fitted with the modified control surfaces under development for the Mk VII and Mk VIII, the Mk IX was more than capable of meeting the Focke-Wulf FW190 on favourable terms. The Mk IX was fitted with the Type C 'universal' wing and originally carried the tried and tested combination of two 20mm cannon and four 0.303 inch machine guns, but in later versions the four 0.303 machine guns were replaced with two .50 calibre guns.
 +
 
 +
A total of 5,665 Mk IX were produced and 262 more Mk Vs were converted to Mk IX. Intended as a transitional stop-gap measure for the Mk VII and Mk VIII, the variant remained in production until the end of the war, ultimately becoming the most mass-produced Spitfire version. This mark was also used as a fighter-bomber and as a reconnaissance aircraft. Further modifications were incorporated into the Mk IX throughout its service life, such as a gyroscopic gunsight, bubble canopy and modified engine intercooler. Widely considered to be the most capable fighter in the world at the time of its introduction, it would take the introduction of the Rolls Royce Griffon engine to push the Spitfire into its next stage of evolution.
 +
 
 +
=== Notable pilots ===
 +
<div><ul>
 +
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Douglas_Bader_profile.jpg|thumb|none|220px|User:U64962917#Bader,_Douglas_R.S.B.|The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' was the fighter in which '''[[User:U64962917#Bader,_Douglas_R.S.B.|Douglas Bader]]''' flew as flight lead of 300 aircraft over London for a victory flyover in June 1945.]] </li><!--
 +
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:X.jpg|thumb|none|200px|"Image Description"]] </li>
 +
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:X.jpg|thumb|none|200px|"Image Description"]] </li>
 +
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:X.jpg|thumb|none|250px|"Image Description"]] </li>-->
 +
</ul></div>
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
<!--Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.-->
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|9_txEPailKc|'''The Shooting Range #92''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 05:10 discusses the Spitfire F Mk IX.}}
 +
 
 +
== See also ==
 +
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
  
== Read also ==
 
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
 
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
<!--''ETC.''-->
 
  
== Sources ==
+
== External links ==
 
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 +
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''page on aircraft encyclopedia;''
+
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
 
* ''other literature.''
 
* ''other literature.''
  
 +
{{AirManufacturer Supermarine}}
 
{{Britain fighters}}
 
{{Britain fighters}}

Revision as of 08:31, 9 June 2020

Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
spitfire_ix_early.png
360://https://wiki.warthunder.com/images/1/15/Cockpit_spitfire_ix_early.jpg
Spitfire F Mk IX
AB RB SB
4.3 4.3 4.7
Class:
Research:18 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:47 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game
This page is about the British fighter Spitfire F Mk IX. For other versions, see Spitfire (Family).

Description

GarageImage Spitfire F Mk IX.jpg


The Spitfire F Mk IX is a rank III British fighter with a battle rating of 4.3 (AB/RB) and 4.7 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.35.

Because the muzzle velocity of both the Hispanos (870 m/s) and the MGs (854 m/s) is practically the same you could put tracers on the MGs and air targets belt on the Hispanos. This is a great way for players to get a feel of where to aim in RB and it's easier to hit your shots maximising your efficiency and potentially saving ammo. A downside to this is that the element of surprise is short lived as your enemy will see the tracers flying past him and he will quickly react. Another thing is that short bursts are required with the cannons especially without the cannon upgrades as they overheat (and thus jam) very quickly.

General info

Flight performance

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed
(km/h at 8,537 m)
Max altitude
(meters)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(meters/second)
Take-off run
(meters)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
627 609 11500 18.1 18.7 15.8 15.8 380
Upgraded
Max Speed
(km/h at 8,537 m)
Max altitude
(meters)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(meters/second)
Take-off run
(meters)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
676 650 11500 16.4 17.2 24.4 19.5 380

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X X X
Limits
Wing-break speed
(km/h)
Gear limit
(km/h)
Combat flaps
(km/h)
Max Static G
+ -
290 ~10 ~5
Optimal velocities
Ailerons
(km/h)
Rudder
(km/h)
Elevators
(km/h)
Radiator
(km/h)
< 321 < 400 < 350 > 470
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
4,100 m 1,400 hp 1,624 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
8,000 m 1,160 hp 1,346 hp

Survivability and armour

  • 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen
  • 3 mm Steel - Armour plate on top of fuel tanks
  • 4 mm Steel - Armour plate on pilot's seat. Behind pilot is another 6-7 mm steel plate
  • 3 mm Steel - Armour plates around ammunition

Armaments

Offensive armament

The Spitfire F Mk IX is armed with:

  • 2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannons, wing-mounted (120 rpg = 240 total)
  • 4 x 7.7 mm Browning .303 machine guns, wing-mounted (350 rpg = 1,400 total)

Suspended armament

The Spitfire F Mk IX can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 1 x 250 lb G.P. 250 lb Mk.IV bomb (250 lb total)

Usage in battles

As a Spitfire Mk IX at its realistic mode battle rating, the most common and dangerous opponents are Bf 109's, normally the G2/Trop and F4 variants both of which often benefit from a better team composition on the axis side. When facing them you should never attempt to hold an extended dogfight above 5,000 m as you will lose a significant portion of the engine power in comparison to them, instead, you should take the fight below 5 km where you can outrun a Bf 109 F4, although Fw 190's and the German variant P-47 will catch up easily at the lower altitude.

The advantages of your plane in both an up-tier and down-tier remain largely the same in that you can out-turn almost anything except all models of the A6M 'Zero' and the A7M 'Reppu' along with earlier spitfires you might face such as the Italian Spitfire Mk Vb/Trop. In this scenario you should play cautiously and try to energy fight them, extending away and climbing. For head-ons, since the armament of 2 x 20 mm and 4 x 7.7 mm machine guns are rather lacklustre. You usually should avoid these. If you really want to, though, use stealth rounds and fire from 1,000-1,400 metres away from the target while using a 500 m convergence. However, this spitfire does best at mid-close ranges (200-600 metres) with either 400 m or 300 m convergence. The wing-mounted guns aren't really good for head-ons.

Another aspect to consider and adjust your playstyle to is that while the acceleration and turn time is good, engine overheating in RB and SB should be managed using manual engine controls and pulling more than 9G's while rolling puts you at risk of ripping your wing off. Additionally, since the Inline engine is very vulnerable to damage and the Spitfire requires lots of time on target, practice proper methods of attacking bombers using boom and zoom tactics as tail-sitting enemy bombers with decent defensive armaments like the Me 264 and the He 177 is not likely to end well at all.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled
Not controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Auto control available
Combined Controllable
2 gears
Not controllable

Modules

Tier Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
I Fuselage repair Radiator Offensive 7 mm Offensive 20 mm
II Compressor Airframe New 7 mm MGs New 20 mm cannons
III Wings repair Engine SBC mark 25 Mk.II year 1942
IV Engine injection Cover Mk.II year 1943

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Great maneuverability
  • Good roll rate
  • Good low-level performance
  • Larger ammo supply of 120 RPG for the 20 mm cannons, compared to the Spitfires with the Type 'B' wings with 60 RPG
  • Machine gun ammo pool of 350 RPG makes for good, prolonged backup weapons
  • Faster than previous Spitfire versions due to a newer engine
  • Performing quick negative G manoeuvres will not shut off the engine (RB/SB)
  • You can actually use tracers belts for machine guns, which means this aircraft can help new RB player with shooting.
  • Like previous versions of British planes, the tracer belts are composed entirely of incendiary bullets (IT and AP-I).
  • Incredibly fast climber, out-climbs 109s when upgraded

Cons:

  • Ammunition pool for 20 mm still relatively small, must be conservative when shooting
  • Cannons overheat and jam quickly, when not in 1942/1943 configuration
  • When 20 mm runs out or jams, the plane is left with only four 7.7 mm machine guns
  • Poor high altitude performance (above 5000m)
  • Poor acceleration
  • Roll rate starts stiffening at ~400 km/h
  • Liquid-cooled engines mean one hit to the cooling system can force a return to the airfield for repairs (RB/SB)
  • Very difficult to attack bombers, as the engine is very susceptible to damage from enemy gunners
  • Fragile airframe
  • Catches fire easily, not all fuel tanks are self sealing
  • 20mm incredibly inaccurate even at close ranges when stock

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

In-game description

The Supermarine Spitfire was a British single-engine, all-metal, low-wing monoplane fighter. While the Mk VII and Mk VIII variants was being designed, a Spitfire Mk III was tested in September 1941 with the new Rolls Royce 60 in the hopes of developing an interim fighter to use as a stop gap measure. The new Spitfire performed exceptionally well, and was rushed into production as the Mk IX. The Air Fighting Development Unit described the Mk IX as 'outstandingly better than the Mk V especially at heights above 20,000 feet' and even though it was not fitted with the modified control surfaces under development for the Mk VII and Mk VIII, the Mk IX was more than capable of meeting the Focke-Wulf FW190 on favourable terms. The Mk IX was fitted with the Type C 'universal' wing and originally carried the tried and tested combination of two 20mm cannon and four 0.303 inch machine guns, but in later versions the four 0.303 machine guns were replaced with two .50 calibre guns.

A total of 5,665 Mk IX were produced and 262 more Mk Vs were converted to Mk IX. Intended as a transitional stop-gap measure for the Mk VII and Mk VIII, the variant remained in production until the end of the war, ultimately becoming the most mass-produced Spitfire version. This mark was also used as a fighter-bomber and as a reconnaissance aircraft. Further modifications were incorporated into the Mk IX throughout its service life, such as a gyroscopic gunsight, bubble canopy and modified engine intercooler. Widely considered to be the most capable fighter in the world at the time of its introduction, it would take the introduction of the Rolls Royce Griffon engine to push the Spitfire into its next stage of evolution.

Notable pilots

  • The Spitfire F Mk IX was the fighter in which Douglas Bader flew as flight lead of 300 aircraft over London for a victory flyover in June 1945.

Media

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the aircraft;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • encyclopedia page on the aircraft;
  • other literature.


Supermarine
Spitfires 
Merlin engine  Spitfire Mk Ia · Spitfire Mk IIa · Spitfire Mk.IIa Venture I · Spitfire Mk IIb
  Spitfire Mk Vb · Spitfire Mk Vb/trop · Spitfire Mk Vc · Spitfire Mk Vc/trop
  Spitfire F Mk IX · Spitfire F Mk IXc · Spitfire F Mk XVI
  Spitfire LF Mk IX · Plagis' Spitfire LF Mk IXc
Griffon engine  Spitfire F Mk XIVc · Spitfire F Mk XIVe · Prendergast's Spitfire FR Mk XIVe · Spitfire F Mk XVIIIe · Spitfire F Mk 22 · Spitfire F Mk 24
Export  ▄Spitfire Mk Vb/trop · ▃Spitfire LF Mk IXc · ▂Spitfire Mk IXc · Spitfire Mk IXc · Spitfire Mk.IX (CW) · Spitfire LF Mk.IXe Weizman's
Seafires  Seafire LF Mk.III · Seafire F Mk XVII · Seafire FR 47
Export  ▄Seafire LF Mk.III
Jet fighters  Attacker FB 1 · Attacker FB.2 · Scimitar F Mk.1 · Swift F.1 · Swift F.7
Hydroplanes  Walrus Mk.I

Britain fighters
Fury  Fury Mk I · Fury Mk II
Nimrod  Nimrod Mk I · Nimrod Mk II
Gladiator  Gladiator Mk II · Tuck's Gladiator Mk II · Gladiator Mk IIF · Gladiator Mk IIS
Sea Gladiator  Sea Gladiator Mk I
Hurricane  Hurricane Mk I/L · Hurricane Mk.I/L FAA M · Hurricane Mk IIB/Trop
Sea Hurricane  Sea Hurricane Mk IB · Sea Hurricane Mk IC
Martin-Baker  MB.5
Spitfire (early-Merlin)  Spitfire Mk Ia · Spitfire Mk IIa · Spitfire Mk.IIa Venture I · Spitfire Mk IIb · Spitfire Mk Vb/trop · Spitfire Mk Vb · Spitfire Mk Vc/trop · Spitfire Mk Vc
Spitfire (late-Merlin)  Spitfire F Mk IX · Spitfire LF Mk IX · Spitfire F Mk IXc · Plagis' Spitfire LF Mk IXc · Spitfire F Mk XVI
Spitfire (Griffon)  Spitfire F Mk XIVc · Spitfire F Mk XIVe · Prendergast's Spitfire FR Mk XIVe · Spitfire F Mk XVIIIe · Spitfire F Mk 22 · Spitfire F Mk 24
Seafire  Seafire LF Mk.III · Seafire F Mk XVII · Seafire FR 47
Typhoon  Typhoon Mk Ia · Typhoon Mk Ib · Typhoon Mk Ib/L
Tempest  Tempest Mk II · Tempest Mk V
Sea Fury  Sea Fury FB 11
Twin-engine fighters  Hornet Mk.I · Hornet Mk.III · Whirlwind Mk I · Whirlwind P.9
  Foreign:
Australia  ▄Boomerang Mk I · ▄Boomerang Mk II
France  ▄D.520 · ▄D.521
USA  ▄Martlet Mk IV · ▄Corsair F Mk II · ▄Hellcat Mk II · ▄Thunderbolt Mk.1 · ▄Mustang Mk IA