Spitfire Mk IXc (Israel)

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This page is about the fighter Spitfire Mk IXc (Israel). For other versions, see Spitfire (Family).
Spitfire Mk IXc
spitfire_mk9c_iaf.png
GarageImage Spitfire Mk IXc (Israel).jpg
Spitfire Mk IXc
AB RB SB
4.3 4.3 4.7
Class:
Research:54 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:185 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

Since the IAF lacked any kind of organized military after it's independence, the Air Force intended to acquire any aircraft available in the market. While sanctions were placed over Israel for weapon sales, the IAF managed to acquire around 50 Spitfires from Czechoslovakia in 1948 at a cost of 23.000$ (of the time) per unit. The aircraft was deemed much superior to the S-199 Sakeen acquired also from Czechoslovakia and was very well liked by Israeli pilots, it suffered some minor modifications, and variants with clipped wings were also sold to Israel or modified after being acquired. It was mainly used as an interceptor and air superiority fighter, while the P-51s were used in close air support and long range missions thanks to their increased fuel capacity and longer range.

Introduced along with the initial Israeli air tree in Update "Winged Lions", the Spitfire Mk IXc is an excellent dogfighter with its wing-mounted guns. It fits 2 x 20 mm Hispano cannons with 4 x 7.7 mm MGs that share similar muzzle velocity, making it easier to aim with tracer belts in the MGs and air or ground target belts in the Hispanos. The plane is more effective as a dogfighter, capable of outmanoeuvring most aircraft in air battles while also retaining enough ground armament to destroy almost any vehicle with the right aim and destroying light vehicles with ease.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 8 537 m650 km/h
Turn time17 s
Max altitude11 500 m
EngineRolls-Royce Merlin-61
TypeInline
Cooling systemWater
Take-off weight4 t

The Spitfire Mk IXc has excellent handling in air combat with outstanding manoeuvrability and agility at speeds above 350 km/h. However, it lacks the cruising speed and acceleration of others around its BR, losing speed easily in turns. It excels however in climb rate, reaching high altitudes with no problem compared to other similar BR fighters.

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

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 ~12 ~7
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 321 < 400 < 350 > 450

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural774 km/h
Gear270 km/h
  • 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen in front of the Pilot
  • 3 mm Steel - Steel plate on top of fuel tanks
  • 4 mm Steel - Steel plate on pilot's seat. Behind pilot is another 6-7 mm steel plate
  • 3 mm Steel - Steel plates around ammunition and guns
  • 1 mm - Steel plate over central fuel tanks

Note that one of the central fuel tanks (the one below the 1 mm steel plate) is not self-sealing, and thus a hit on this tank may result in severe fuel leaks

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB2 369 → 3 065 Sl icon.png
RB5 457 → 7 061 Sl icon.png
SB7 928 → 10 258 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications47 300 Rp icon.png
86 300 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost1 500 Ge icon.png
Crew training52 000 Sl icon.png
Experts185 000 Sl icon.png
Aces940 Ge icon.png
Research Aces480 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
90 / 220 / 450 % Sl icon.png
166 / 166 / 166 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
2 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
190 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
2 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
190 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 700 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
2 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
190 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
2 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
190 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
5 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 300 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 700 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
5 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 300 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
bmg303_belt_pack
Research:
2 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
190 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods ammo.png
hispano_belt_pack
Research:
2 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
190 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
hispano_mk2_new_gun
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 700 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
SBC mark 25
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 700 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
bmg303_new_gun
Research:
2 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
190 Ge icon.png
Mods gun camora mod.png
Mk.II year 1942
Research:
2 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
190 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon rocket.png
8-cm Flz.-Rakete
Research:
2 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
190 Ge icon.png
Mods gun camora mod.png
Mk.II year 1943
Research:
5 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 300 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png

Pilots should prioritize "Radiator", "Compressor" and engine power upgrades to counter the poor cruising speed. However, the most important modifications are the Hispano upgrades, because these will overheat and thus jam with ease until the 1942 upgrade is installed. It is still recommended to push for the 1943 upgrade however.

Armaments

Offensive armament

Ammunition240 rounds
Fire rate600 shots/min
Ammunition1 400 rounds
Fire rate1 000 shots/min

The Spitfire Mk IXc (Israel) is armed with:

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

Suspended armament

List of setups (3)
Setup 12 x 250 lb AN-M57 bomb
Setup 22 x 250 lb AN-M57 bomb
16 x 8-cm Flz.-Rakete Oerlikon rockets
Setup 316 x 8-cm Flz.-Rakete Oerlikon rockets

The Spitfire Mk IXc (Israel) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 2 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs (500 lb total)
  • 2 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs + 16 x Flz.-Rakete Oerlikon rockets (500 lb total)
  • 16 x Flz.-Rakete Oerlikon rockets

Usage in battles

The most common and dangerous opponents will be Bf 109s and P-51s due to their superior speed and acceleration especially at altitudes above 5 km when the Spitfire loses significant engine power. A better alternative is fighting at around 3-4 km, however, at this BR fighters like the Fw 190 and P-47s will outrun you but not outturn the Spitfire. However, your good climb rate means that getting to 4 km is faster compared to other planes like the ones mentioned earlier.

Pilots should use their superior agility to lure boom and zoom fighters to lower altitudes (around 3-4 km) and force them into a turnfight in which the Spitfire excels. Note that to initiate a turnfight pilots should be flying at 350-400 km/h, this is due to low energy retention, and thus prolonged fights with enemies should be avoided, especially if these enemies initiate the fight at high speed. The only planes that will consistently outturn you are all models of the A6M "Zero" and the A7M "Reppu".

Head-ons should be avoided due to the guns being wing-mounted and far from the centre of the plane, and they function better at close-mid range (up to 600 m) with 300-400 m of convergence. Hits at enemies flying straight are hard without good aiming, thus the best way to deal with foes is in a dogfight when the wing-mounted guns become a benefit.

The engine is known for overheating and this should be controlled by manually opening the radiator and reducing the throttle if necessary. The Spitfire requires knowledge and trigger discipline, but even with that, Hispanos have mediocre damage. Going for bombers without good aiming is not advised, however, when fighting them, attack from below to avoid the defensive turrets and go for the engines to set them on fire. Catching bombers will not be an issue with the excellent climb rate of the Spitfire.

Ground RB should be avoided, as the Hispanos lack the penetration to knock out light tanks or SPAAs and ground ordnance options are lacklustre. However, good aiming with the rockets may result in a good amount of destructions against light and medium targets. Pilots can also use the Spitfire to clear the skies when the enemy has complete air supremacy.

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

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good roll rate and manoeuvrability at low speed
  • Good low-altitude performance
  • Larger ammo supply of 120 rpg for the 20 mm cannons
  • Machine gun ammo pool of 350 rpg, good for inexperienced pilots
  • Similar muzzle velocity between the MGs and the cannons making it easier to aim
  • Amazing climb rate when upgraded

Cons:

  • Poor cannon performance when stock (lack of accuracy and jamming)
  • Poor damage output of the MGs
  • Poor high altitude performance (above 5,000 m)
  • Poor acceleration
  • Roll rate compression ~400 km/h
  • Prone to fires and not all fuel tanks are self-sealing

History

In 1948, Israel purchased ~50 Spitfires from Czechoslovakia, at a cost of $23,000 per unit. The first aircraft were introduced to Israel in what was known as "Operation Velvetta", specifically in Velvetta 1 and Velvetta 2, which consisted in these planes being flown from Czechoslovakia to Israel with stops to refuel.

These planes would be used most during the 1948 Israeli-Arab War, mainly by the 101 Squadron of the IAF. A few Spitfires were ready to participate in "Operation Yoav" in 1948 and were crucial in the early stages of the war. They filled a variety of roles, escorting B-17 and Beaufighter bombers, supporting ground forces, as well as flying air patrols and air reconnaissance.

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Related development

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:


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

Israel fighters
Bf 109  Sakeen
P-51  P-51D-20-NA
Spitfires  Spitfire Mk IXc · Spitfire LF Mk.IXe Weizman's · Spitfire Mk.IX (CW)