Description
Similar to SAAF version. SAAF decals available for this kit.
The Spitfire is certainly the most famous and best known fighter aircraft of World War II. Winning many dogfights of this conflict, the plane was first developed in the 1930s. It underwent a continuous evolution and improvement of its aerodynamic features as well as its engine and armament made it last with numerous airforces until after the appearance of the first jets.
The South African Air Force (SAAF) operated numerous Spitfire IXs post-WWII, receiving over 140 as gifts, which equipped squadrons for roles including Korean War training before being largely replaced by jets, with a famous surviving example (TE213/5518) restored by the SAAF Museum and flying briefly as “Spirit of Reutech” before storage, awaiting further restoration. These Mk IXs featured variants like low-back (LF) and high-back (HF) models, some with clipped wings, and were powered by Merlin engines, with the SAAF’s surviving airworthy example often identified as a rare low-back Mk IX (LF) with clipped wings and a Merlin 70 engine.
Key Details:
Acquisition: South Africa received over 140 Spitfire Mk IXs from Britain after World War II.
Variants: The SAAF used high-back (HF) and low-back (LF) versions, with some featuring clipped wings for better low-altitude performance.
Engine: Powered by Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, the SAAF Museum’s restored example (TE213/5518) used a Merlin 70, a variant often associated with the Mk XVI, but technically a rare low-back Mk IX.
Role: Used by Nos. 1, 2, and 60 Squadrons and for training at the Air Operations School for the Korean conflict.
