Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series
HA8320Spitfire Mk. IXc ML214, Sqn. Ldr. Johnny Plagis, 126 Squadron, RAF Harrowbeer Devon, July - August 1944
General Background
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.
The Aircraft
In May 1944 the 126 (Persian Gulf) Squadron was equipped with the Spitfire IX and providing
fighter escort for bombers over north-western France as well as protection for the growing
armada being assembled for D-Day. In July 1944 the 126 was stationed at Harrowbeer and
Squadron Leader Johnny Plagis was Commander flying Spitfire IX “5J-K” ML214; that wore Kay
after his sister and Muscat, a city in Oman. In July and August Plagis scored four victories but in
September he was hit by flak and survived but the aircraft was lost.
Hobby Master HA8320, Spitfire Mk. IXc ML214, Sqn. Ldr. Johnny Plagis, 1:48
Number built - 5,665 all Mk. IX variants
Crew – 1 X pilot
Dimensions
Length - 31 ft. 3.5 in.
Wingspan:
Standard (F) - 36 ft. 10 in.
Clipped (LF) - 32 ft. 2 in.
Height - 11 ft. 9 in.
Wing Area - (F) 242 sq. ft. or (LF) 231 sq. ft.
Weight
Empty - 5,610 lbs. (2,545 kg)
Maximum Takeoff - 7,500 lbs. (3,402 kg)
Performance
Engine
1 X V-12 Rolls-Royce Merlin 61 @ 1,515 hp
or
1 X V-12 Rolls-Royce Merlin 63 @ 1,712 hp
Maximum Speed - 408 mph (657 kph) @ 25,000 ft.
Service Ceiling - 4,000 ft.
Range w/o drop tank - 434 miles (698 km)
Armament
2 X Hispano 20mm cannons
plus either
4 X .303 machine guns
or
2 X .50 machine guns
1,000 lbs of bombs (500 centerline, 250 each wing)
