This Vickers-built Spitfire was produced in December, 1943, and served in North Africa, Italy, Corsica, Greece, and Yugoslavia. Post-war it wound up in Israel, where it was rescued from a kibbutz playground in 1978. Restoration was completed in 1988, and the Museum acquired it in 1999.
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Supermarine Mk.IXe
Spitfire
In the early months of 1942, with the clear superiority of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 over the Spitfire Mk.VB, there was much pressure to get Spitfires into production using the new two-stage supercharged Merlin 61 engine. Although the Mk.IX's airframe did not have the aerodynamic and strength improvements, or the modified control surfaces of the Mk.VII and VIII, the Mk.IX still proved to be an effective counter to the Focke-Wulf Fw 190.