Spitfire Mk.IX (CW) (Israel)

This page is about the fighter Spitfire Mk.IX (CW) (Israel). For other versions, see Spitfire (Family).

Spitfire Mk.IX (CW)

Spitfire Mk IXc

Meteor NF.13

Spitfire Mk.IX (CW)

Spitfire Mk IXc

Meteor NF.13

Israel

IV Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
5.3	5.7	5.0

Class:

Fighter

Research:71 000

Purchase:210 000

Show in game

Description

The clipped wing configuration for the Spitfire Mk IX was introduced in the mid-late 1940s to increase manoeuvrability and improve roll rate at lower altitudes, at the cost of less lift. This was due to a shorter surface area, that generated less lift but was also more aerodynamic and less air was travelling around the fuselage

Introduced in Update "Winged Lions", the Spitfire Mk IX (CW) has very good handling and excellent agility. It may lack the ground ordnance common in other fighters such as the P-51s and Fw 190s but offers some of the best acceleration, climb rate and agility for its BR. While not the fastest, its good climb rate makes it capable of reaching high altitudes sooner than most planes which, combined with its agility, makes it a very deadly opponent when it has the speed or altitude advantage.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed

at 4 878 m659 km/h

Turn time15 s

Max altitude11 500 m

EngineRolls-Royce Merlin-66

TypeInline

Cooling systemWater

Take-off weight4 t

The performance of the Spitfire is excellent as long as it has the speed. While it has good acceleration at low speeds, it loses speed faster than planes at a similar BR, which is normal since it has much better turn rate than other fighters. It also has very good climb rate to take good positioning at the start of the match. However, its engine is prone to overheating when WEP is used constantly.

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 4,878 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	632	611	11500	16.4	17.0	22.2	22.2	320
Upgraded	735	690		14.8	14.8	43.3	31.8

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
X	X	✓	X	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
774	270	N/A	N/A	230	~10	~4

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 321	< 400	< 350	> 470

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural774 km/h

Gear270 km/h

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.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB3 105 → 4 166

RB7 349 → 9 862

SB10 153 → 13 625

Total cost of modifications61 800

103 000

Talisman cost1 800

Crew training61 000

Experts210 000

Aces1 200

Research Aces570 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

100 / 230 / 490 %

178 / 178 / 178 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Research: 2 500 Cost: 4 200 190 Radiator Research: 2 500 Cost: 4 200 190 Compressor Research: 4 600 Cost: 7 600 350 Wings repair Research: 3 100 Cost: 5 200 230 Engine Research: 3 100 Cost: 5 200 230 Engine injection Research: 5 000 Cost: 8 300 380 150 octane fuel Research: 5 000 Cost: 8 300 380	Airframe Research: 4 600 Cost: 7 600 350 Cover Research: 5 000 Cost: 8 300 380	bmg50_belt_pack Research: 2 500 Cost: 4 200 190 hispano_belt_pack Research: 2 500 Cost: 4 200 190 FSBC mk.5 Research: 2 500 Cost: 4 200 190 hispano_mk2_new_gun Research: 4 600 Cost: 7 600 350 bmg50raf_new_gun Research: 3 100 Cost: 5 200 230 Mk.II year 1942 Research: 3 100 Cost: 5 200 230 8-cm Flz.-Rakete Research: 3 100 Cost: 5 200 230 Mk.II year 1943 Research: 5 000 Cost: 8 300 380

Armaments

Offensive armament

Weapon 12 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannon

Ammunition270 rounds

Fire rate600 shots/min

Weapon 22 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun

Ammunition520 rounds

Fire rate750 shots/min

The Spitfire Mk.IX (CW) (Israel) is armed with:

• 2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannons, wing-mounted (135 rpg = 270 total)
• 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (260 rpg = 520 total)

Usage in battles

The Spitfire plays in a very aggressive role in most situations. While it is not the fastest or the highest in the match, it has the capabilities to win dogfights against most opponents. Common things to avoid are being stuck with less than 300 km/h since this fighter is especially sluggish at low speeds and always having an altitude advantage in most fights.

Even though these are common things to worry about in most fighters, the Spitfire Mk IX CW loses speed very quickly, and thus precise shots are needed in dogfights, since prolonged fights would make you vulnerable to other enemy fighters in the area. The altitude is also very important, because the diving speed of the Spitfire is not the best, and having altitude is important to regain speed when necessary or to attack unsuspecting pilots in the middle of a fight.

Common strategies to use the Spitfire Mk IX CW are in a support or frontline role. In support roles climbing is the way to go, to intervene during the most important moments of the game and ensuring the safety of allied aircraft fleeing the battlefield to repair, while also intercepting enemy aircraft retreating to their airfield. As a frontline fighter sticking with your team is important; because the Spitfire isn't capable of sustaining prolonged dogfights, having allies around you is important since they can distract other aircraft that may attack you while in a fight.

Manual Engine Control

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

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Excellent turn rate
• Good climb rate
• Good roll rate
• Adequate acceleration at low speeds

Cons:

• No cockpit armour
• Mediocre ammo count
• Mediocre cruise speed
• Engine prone to overheating

History

During late WW2, the Clipped Wing design was a common upgrade for the Mk IX and Mk XVI variants of the Spitfire. According to test flights by the Air Fighting Development Unit at RAF Duxford using the Spitfire Mk V, this configuration offered better speeds at altitudes below 10,000 ft and slightly better speeds around 25,000 ft. However it provided much better acceleration and agility overall. For pilots, this modification also meant a better view around the aircraft, because sometimes the large and wide wings of the Spitfire blocked incoming fighters or obstructed the pilot's vision during ground attacks.

Being fitted to the Spitfire Mk V variants, the Clipped Wing was also given to the Mk IX and Mk XVI due to high altitude sorties being less and less common and ground attack missions where being prioritized due to the mediocre state of the Luftwaffe. These variants of the Spitfire were sometimes modified in different nations such as Czechoslovakia, since it was a cheap modification that gave the Spitfire more years as a competent fighter in low altitudes and ground attack missions

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Spitfire Mk.IX (CW) (Israel) from live.warthunder.com.

See also

Related development

• Spitfire (Family)

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.