Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series
HA8325Spitfire Mk.IXc MK694, flown by F/Lt. Jaroslav Dobrovolny, 313 Sqn., Oct 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
Spitfire Mk. IXC MK694 was built in early 1944 and delivered to RAF 74 Squadron before transferring to 312 Squadron in July as DU-E. In October 1944 the aircraft was transferred to 313 Squadron coded RY-E and received a Czech roundel under the cockpit and the 313 emblem with a hawk on the engine cowling. The aircraft was mostly piloted by F/Lt Jaroslav Dobrovolný, then F/Sgt. Karel Stryk and P/O Josef Bednář. Next the aircraft went to 303 Squadron and eventually sent to the Royal Danish Air Force.
