Can Someone Tell me About the Spitfire IXc vs the IXe?

[percydanvers]

I'm not a huge spitfire expert, so I'd be curious to hear from some who are. What differences are there with the IXc vs the IXe other than the E type wing with the different mg setup?

[Skycat1969]

A link.

Another link.

 

"The basic difference is in the armament. The Mk.IXc had a 20mm cannon in the inboard central position, with a stub outside it. This can be used for another 20mm cannon. It also has 2x0.303 machine guns outboard. The Mk.IXe has the 20mm cannon in the outboard central position, with a 0.5 machine gun inboard, no outer guns (although the access panel;s will still be there). The access panel over the cannon has an inboard bulge for the c wing, and an outboard bulge for the e wing, logically enough.

Other differences may be in the canopy, faired or teardrop, in the carburettor intake, in the wingtips, and in the rudder, but these are possible on either variant - though I don't recall seeing a Mk.IXe with the early rudder or carb. intake..."

[ShamrockOneFive]

The interesting thing about the Spitfire is that there was quite a lot of variation across the lifespan of some models. The Spitfire Mark IX was one of the longest lived, despite it being intended originally to be only a stopgap version. So you have Spitfire IX models coming into service starting in 1942 and variations of them still being produced in 1945. There were quite a few differences between them with few distinguishing marks or block numbers to go by.

 

What exactly 1CGS end up doing I don't know but I'm guessing that we'll some distinguishing features that are different. We'll probably have the normal rather than broad chord rudder. If it ends up being a later model Spitfire IXc then it'll otherwise be very similar to the IXe aside from the difference in armament. But they could elect to also do some of the earlier options in which case you'd see a smaller carb intake and one of three engines potentially (Merlin 61, 63 or 66).

[percydanvers]

8 hours ago, ShamrockOneFive said:

The interesting thing about the Spitfire is that there was quite a lot of variation across the lifespan of some models. The Spitfire Mark IX was one of the longest lived, despite it being intended originally to be only a stopgap version. So you have Spitfire IX models coming into service starting in 1942 and variations of them still being produced in 1945. There were quite a few differences between them with few distinguishing marks or block numbers to go by.

 

What exactly 1CGS end up doing I don't know but I'm guessing that we'll some distinguishing features that are different. We'll probably have the normal rather than broad chord rudder. If it ends up being a later model Spitfire IXc then it'll otherwise be very similar to the IXe aside from the difference in armament. But they could elect to also do some of the earlier options in which case you'd see a smaller carb intake and one of three engines potentially (Merlin 61, 63 or 66).

 

Hmm that's interesting. I keep forgetting that the Mark IX was around in 1942. Thanks to Bodenplatte I keep thinking of it as a later-war aircraft even though I should know better. 

[Mtnbiker1998]

Hoping we get a few engine mods to represent the IX in some of its earlier configurations! Early/mid war ops on the channel with EMG/PWCG can always use more aircraft variety! 

If my understanding is correct, the IXe we currently have is a pretty hot model with a late war engine that isn't really suitable for much earlier than mid 1944?

[357th_KW]

1 hour ago, Mtnbiker1998 said:

Hoping we get a few engine mods to represent the IX in some of its earlier configurations! Early/mid war ops on the channel with EMG/PWCG can always use more aircraft variety! 

If my understanding is correct, the IXe we currently have is a pretty hot model with a late war engine that isn't really suitable for much earlier than mid 1944?

 

The LF.IXe we have started appearing around mid-44, but the new features were the rudder and the e-wing armament.  The original Spit Mk IXs were equipped with a Merlin 61 rated at 1565hp at 11,250ft and 1390hp at 23,500ft using +15 lbs of boost, and entered service in June 1942.  The improved Merlin 63 engines using +18 lbs of boost came into service in February 1943, rated at 1710hp at 8,500ft and 1520hp at 21,000ft.  The Merlin 66 (which is what is in our LF.IXe) is basically a lower altitude version of the 63 - 1720hp at 5,750ft and 1595hp at 16,000ft - and entered service in March 43.  The Merlin 70 option in game is another high altitude variant, using +18 lbs and rated at 1655hp at 10,000ft and 1475 hp at 22,250ft.

 

It would be really nice if we could get that Merlin 61 as the base engine, to use in 1942 channel matchups (and you may as well throw in the 63 while you're at it).  The only external differences I can see are the early short intake, and a small bulge near the prop spinner.

 

Edited January 3, 2024 by 357th_KW

[BMA_FlyingShark]

1 hour ago, 357th_KW said:

It would be really nice if we could get that Merlin 61 as the base engine, to use in 1942 channel matchups (and you may as well throw in the 63 while you're at it).  The only external differences I can see are the early short intake, and a small bulge near the prop spinner.

True but if I remember correctly, LukeFF said a few weeks ago that it'll be a late version with the same engine as the one we already have.

 

Have a nice day.

 

[357th_KW]

I read that same post.  But i keep hoping someone will see the logic of putting a little more into the new collector to make something along the lines of the Hurricane Mk II.  Anyone interested in Spit IX's already has the Lf.IXe from Bodenplatte.  Most aren't going to see the value in buying a nearly identical plane, but with .303s instead of .50s and a round rudder.  But a Mk. IX that checks all the boxes from mid 42 to mid 44 has some appeal, and is something mission designers and server admins can build new missions around.

 

[BMA_FlyingShark]

I've been hoping for more early and mid war planes for quite some time.

 

Have a nice day.

 

[Sandmarken]

 

 

[FeuerFliegen]

so the C can have 4x 20mm?  how many rounds per gun?

[CountZero]

57 minutes ago, FeuerFliegen said:

so the C can have 4x 20mm?  how many rounds per gun?

i think only mkVs had that option and was not popular

[ShamrockOneFive]

2 hours ago, FeuerFliegen said:

so the C can have 4x 20mm?  how many rounds per gun?

In theory only. A small batch of Spitfire Vc models, the first to be fitted with the C-wing, had four cannons and were shipped by carrier to Malta. It's unclear to me exactly how long these were used with four cannons but it wasn't very long before they were taking out two of the cannons to reduce weight. After that, I don't think any additional aircraft were ever configured with cannons and certainly none of the Spitfire IXc line were ever fitted. The next four cannon Spitfire was the Spitfire Mark 21 which saw limited combat at the end of the war - two Spit 21s shot up a German mini-sub.

[Gunfreak]

On 1/3/2024 at 4:45 AM, percydanvers said:

 

Hmm that's interesting. I keep forgetting that the Mark IX was around in 1942. Thanks to Bodenplatte I keep thinking of it as a later-war aircraft even though I should know better. 

 

First combat for the Mk IX was operation Jubilee/Dieppe raid. Two squadrons were equipped with MkIX, while most flew MkV. Even Some Hurribombers were used to attack the town. Realy interesting battle both on land, sea and air.

On 1/12/2024 at 8:17 PM, FeuerFliegen said:

so the C can have 4x 20mm?  how many rounds per gun?

 

In theory later C wings would have 10 seconds of ammo(same as the 2 cannons on the E wing, or the Typhoon)

But since most 4 cannons configuration were for the MkV they would only have 5 seconds of ammo. Same as the MkI Spitfires with 4 cannons used by a few units for a very short time during battle of Britain.

[HBPencil]

On 1/13/2024 at 8:17 AM, FeuerFliegen said:

so the C can have 4x 20mm?  how many rounds per gun?

Yes, the IXc can have 4x20mm but as it turned out less than a handful had such an armament and I have no idea if they saw front line service. As an aside the Aussies did field trials fitting 4x20mm to some MkVIIIs but decided not to continue with it.

The cannons in C winged Spits, regardless of mark, had 120rpg.

[FeuerFliegen]

On 1/13/2024 at 4:48 PM, Gunfreak said:

 

In theory later C wings would have 10 seconds of ammo(same as the 2 cannons on the E wing, or the Typhoon)

 

 C wing spits had 120rpg; spit IXe has 140 rounds per gun; Typhoon has 144rpg.