Spitfire LF Mk.IXe: combat debut date

[303_Bies]

When it comes to Spitfire LF Mk.IXe there is a note:  combat debut: June or July 1942. I think it should be changed because this date can be an important, hard point of reference for mission creators.

And it is rather precise in case of other planes we have in the game.

 

In the summer of 1942 there were Spitfires F Mk.IXc, very different than variant we have in the game,

- with smaller rudder,

- weaker 1530hp Merlin 61 without injection carburettor and cleared for +15lbs,

- 0.303 Browning machine guns  etc.

It was a huge difference in major aspects between mid 1942 and mid 1944 Spitfires.

 

Production of engines with injection carburettor - 1750 hp Merlin 66 started in September/October 1943.

First Spitfire IX with "e" wings with 0.50 calibre Brownings were introduced (modified) in March 1944.

 

So the LF Mk.IXe combat debut is March 1944.

 

(mod Merlin 70 April/May 1944)

(mod RP-3 Rockets February 1945)

 

If you have even more detailed date please shere.

 

cheers and have a fantastic day?

Edited May 29, 2018 by bies

[MicEzo]

You should definitely post it also in Suggestions.

Mission creators obviously can use their common sense but for me official date typed by the devs should be corrected.

 

It's an early access though, maybe they didn't have a time and placed just some date correct for the first old Merlin 61 Spitfires.

[EAF19_Marsh]

The IXE Late (as this might be termed, though there was no actual designation) is as you said Spring  '44 onward. The 'XVI' designation (which - arguably - this also could be termed) was in production from Sept. '44 so deliveries likely Oct. / Nov.

 

Also, seems some disparity with IX cockpits, though not saying the team are wholly wrong: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermarine_Spitfire_(late_Merlin-powered_variants)#/media/File:Spitfire_cockpit.jpg

[Pict]

On 5/29/2018 at 8:49 AM, bies said:

If you have even more detailed date please shere.

 

http://spitfiresite.com/2010/04/sorting-out-the-e-american-armament-for-the-spitfire-mk-ixxvi.html

 

Quote

The first Spitfire to receive the new armament was MK197, an LF Mk. IX from Castle Bromwich production line. It was delivered to AAEE at Boscombe Down for armament trials on 11 February 1944.

 

Deliveries of production Mk. IXEs started the same month; it is believed that the initial production batch, completed until early April,  comprised 60 machines, which went to No. 66 and 504 Squadrons.

 

Simultaneously, modification instruction was issued to convert existing in-service Spitfires Mk. IXC with the new armament. This could not be carried out at the unit level as the modification included changes to the wing “plumbing” – presumably gun heating and compressed-air installations. Instead, Vickers Supermarine issued working parties to convert the aircraft.

 

Edited May 31, 2018 by Pict