Hobby Master 1/48 HA8311 Spitfire Mk. IXbEN398, flown by Wg Cdr J.E. "Johnnie" Johnson,Kenley Wing, Summer 1943
Hobby Master 1/48 Spitfire Mk. IXbEN398, flown by Wg Cdr J.E. "Johnnie" Johnson,Kenley Wing, Summer 1943 HA8311
The Mk. IX replaced the Mk. V in June 1942 and on September 12, 1942 a Mk. IX brought down a Ju-86R flying at 43,000 feet. Another major achievement of the Mk. IX took place on October 5, 1944 when 401 Squadron became the first allied aircraft to shoot down an Me-262 jet. Even with the arrival of the Griffon powered Mk. XIV the Mk. IX continued in service until the end of WWII. There were 5,665 Mk. IX Spitfires and its variants produced.
On February 13, 1943 Spitfire Mk. IX EN398 made its first flight. It was built by the Supermarine Chattis Hill factory and powered by a Merlin 63 engine. On February 18, 1943 the aircraft was delivered to No. 402 Squadron RCAF as part of Kenley Wing. Acting Wing Commander Johnnie Johnson took command of the four Canadian squadrons based at Kenley. Johnson’s first Kenley victory came on April 3, 1943 and during 1943 he accumulated 14 victories, 7 damaged and 6 shared. EN398 ended WWII as the most successful Spitfire.