Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXc

The Spitfire is one of those planes that need no introduction. The fame of this British fighter is enormous. Immediately one has the distinctive elliptical wing design in mind which was so typical for the Spitfire.

Along with the Hawker Hurricane, the legendary Spitfire formed the backbone of the RAF’s aerial defence against the German Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain.

The Spitfire Mk IX was Britain’s answer to the Fw 190 and showed clear improvements compared to its predecessor the Mk V in regard to maximum speed and service ceiling.

The maxFlite Spitfire bears the markings of pilot “Johnnie” Johnson’s machine, who was the RAF’s most successful WWII fighter pilot with 38 aerial victories. Experience aerial success yourself with this legend, the Spitfire Mk IXc by maxFlite. Most adequate in a close formation together with a Focke-Wulf 190 or Messerschmitt 109 of maxFlite.

[Wingspan: 42 cm; Length: 40 cm; weight ca. 600g]

Facts and Figures

• Specific maxFlite model: Spitfire Mk IXc; EN398 of Wing Commander Johnnie Johnson, commanding officer of No. 144 (Canadian) Wing.
• The abbreviation ‘Mk’ stands for ‘mark’, referring to the different versions of Spitfires.
• Fighter pilot James Edgar “Johnnie” Johnson flew Supermarine Spitfires on most of his 516 sorties and took part in 70 aerial battles.
• Becoming a Wing Commander in 1943 meant he could have his initials, JE-J, painted on his machines.
• The Spitfire was designed by Supermarine Aviation Works Ltd, who became best known for their flying boats and the Spitfire. After the war, in the course of the reorganisation of British aircraft manufacturing, the company became part of BAC (nowadays BAe Systems).
• When developing the elliptical wing, chief designer Reginald J. Mitchell was inspired by the speedy German passenger aircraft Heinkel He 70.
• Contrary to public perception, the performance-wise inferior Hawker Hurricane scored more victories during the Battle of Britain than the Spitfire.
• The Spitfire was powered by the well-known Rolls-Royce Merlin, a V-12 piston inline engine.