![Spitfire LF Mk IXe MK356 in desert camouflage - Old Warden 3 Sep 2023 [Explored #39] | by Roland Bogush](http://staging-jubilee.flickr.com/65535/53256898449_cc25071f6d.jpg)
Spitfire LF Mk IXe MK356 in desert camouflage - Old Warden 3 Sep 2023 [Explored #39]
The Mk IX was the second most numerous of any Spitfire version manufactured after the Mk V.
It was rushed into production over the slightly better Mk VIII as a short-term counter to the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, which was superior in most ways to then current Spitfire Mk V.
Externally, the Mk IX can be differentiated from earlier Spitfire versions by having a four-bladed propeller, and unlike the Mk VIII, does not have a retractable tail wheel. This particular Spitfire dates from 1944 and has a supercharger optimized for lower level performance, making it an 'LF' model. It is fitted with the 'e' wing which eliminated the four outer machine gun positions. This machine only has two of the remaining four inner positions fitted with either cannons or heavy machine guns. Despite being painted in large red letters, the squadron codes of QJ are surprisingly hard to make out!
Spitfire LF Mk IXe MK356 in desert camouflage - Old Warden 3 Sep 2023 [Explored #39]
The Mk IX was the second most numerous of any Spitfire version manufactured after the Mk V.
It was rushed into production over the slightly better Mk VIII as a short-term counter to the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, which was superior in most ways to then current Spitfire Mk V.
Externally, the Mk IX can be differentiated from earlier Spitfire versions by having a four-bladed propeller, and unlike the Mk VIII, does not have a retractable tail wheel. This particular Spitfire dates from 1944 and has a supercharger optimized for lower level performance, making it an 'LF' model. It is fitted with the 'e' wing which eliminated the four outer machine gun positions. This machine only has two of the remaining four inner positions fitted with either cannons or heavy machine guns. Despite being painted in large red letters, the squadron codes of QJ are surprisingly hard to make out!