Hobby Master HA8323 | Spitfire LF IX MH884, flown by Captain W. Duncan-Smith, No. 324 Wing, RAF, August 1944

General Background:

The Mk. IX replaced the Mk. V in June 1942 and on September 12, 1942 a Mk. IX brought down a Ju-86R flying at 43,000 feet. Another major achievement of the Mk. IX took place on October 5, 1944 when 401 Squadron became the first allied aircraft to shoot down an Me-262 jet. Even with the arrival of the Griffon powered Mk. XIV the Mk. IX continued in service until the end of WWII. There were 5,665 Mk. IX Spitfires and its variants produced.

The Aircraft:

W. Duncan-Smith began his military service with the 7 Operational Training Unit (OTU) before being posted to the No. 611 Squadron and in June 1941 received the DFC. Eventually Duncan-Smith took charge of the 324 Wing in the Mediterranean. Duncan-Smith flew Spitfire IX JK650 'DS' as a Luqa Wing OC, and later flew Spitfire IX MH884 'DS' from Corsica to Ravenna as Group Capt and OC of 324 Wing 1944-45. He is credited with 17 aircraft shot down, 2 shared shot down, 6 probables, 2 shared probables and 8 damaged in aerial combat.

Specifications for the Spitfire Mk. IX
Number built - 5,665 all Mk. IX variants
Crew – 1 X pilot
Dimensions
Length - 31 ft. 3.5 in.
Wingspan
Standard (F) - 36 ft. 10 in.
Clipped (LF) - 32 ft. 2 in.
Height - 11 ft. 9 in.
Wing Area - (F) 242 sq. ft. or (LF) 231 sq. ft.
Weight
Empty - 5,610 lbs. (2,545 kg)
Maximum Takeoff - 7,500 lbs. (3,402 kg)
Performance
Engine
1 X V-12 Rolls-Royce Merlin 61 @ 1,515 hp
or
1 X V-12 Rolls-Royce Merlin 63 @ 1,712 hp
Maximum Speed - 408 mph (657 kph) @ 25,000 ft.
Service Ceiling - 4,000 ft.
Range w/o drop tank - 434 miles (698 km)
Armament
2 X Hispano 20mm cannons
plus either
4 X .303 machine guns
or
2 X .50 machine guns
1,000 lbs of bombs (500 centerline, 250 each wing)