Spitfire Mk IXc (Israel)
| This page is about the fighter Spitfire Mk IXc (Israel). For other versions, see Spitfire (Family). |
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Contents
Description
The Spitfire Mk IXc is a rank IV Israeli fighter with a battle rating of 4.3 (AB/RB) and 4.7 (SB).
Introduced in Update "Winged Lions", the plane served in the Israeli Air Force from 1948 to the 1950s, bought from Czechoslovakia alongside other aircrafts by the Israeli Air Force to increase their capabilities. The plane fought during the Israeli-Arab War of 1948 in all sorts of mission, from escorts to close air support.
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 outmaneuvering most aircrafts 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
The Spitfire Mk IXc has excellent handling in air combat with outstanding maneuverability and agility at speeds above 350KM/h. However, it lacks the cruising speed and acceleration that other have around it's BR, loosing 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
- 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
| Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Pilots should prioritize "Radiator", "Compressor" and engine power upgrades to counter the poor cruising speed. But the most important modificacion are the Hispanos 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
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
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.
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
The Spitfire was introduced in Israel, by a purchase of ~50 aircrafts from Czechoslovakia at a cost of $23.000 of the time per unit. First aircrafts where introduced in Israel in what is known as "Operation Velvetta", specifically in Velvetta 1 and Velvetta 2, wich consisted in these planes being flown from Czechoslovakia to Israel with stops to refuel.
These planes will be the most used during the 1948 Israeli-Arab War, mainly by the 101 Squadron of the IAF. A few Spitfires where ready to participate in "Operation Yoav" in 1948 and where crucial in the early stages of the war. They filled a variety of roles, escorting of 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:
- https://www.machal.org.il/1947-49/the-israel-air-force-spitfires-over-israel/ - The Israel Air Force – Spitfires Over Israel
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Velvetta - Operation Velvetta
| 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) · Weizman's Spitfire LF Mk.IXe · ▄Spitfire FR Mk XIVe |
| 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 · Weizman's Spitfire LF Mk.IXe · Spitfire Mk.IX (CW) |
