SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE
(Merlin, photo-reconnaissance) - Unarmed (and later, in
some cases, armed) versions of Supermarine Spitfire, equipped with vertical
and/or oblique cameras, operated with RAF from November 1939 until after
the war had ended. Initially known as Supermarine Spitfire Mk
I PR, with Types A to H distinguishing variations of camera,
fuel capacity and armament. At the end of 1941, Air Ministry adopted a
system of mark number prefix letters to indicate aircraft role, and Types
A to H then became - at least notionally -Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk I
to PR Mk VIII respectively; by this time, however, no Type A or Type B
remained in service, and Type H was never produced.
Supermarine Spitfire I PR, Type A: Two Mk I fighters
(N3069, N3071) modified for Heston Flight (later No 2 Camouflage Unit,
then Photographic Development Unit), with guns removed and one F.24 (5-in/12.7-cm)
vertical camera in each wing. First operation November 18, 1939. Lost
on operations, March 19 and April 21, 1940, respectively.
Supermarine Spitfire I PR, Type B: Some eight-ten Mk
I fighters modified with F.24 (8-in/20.3-cm) cameras in wings, as Type
A, and extra 29-Imp gal (132-1) tank in rear fuselage. Operational by
February 1940, No 212 Sqn in France.
Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk III (initially, Type C):
Up to 20 converted Mk I fighters, with two F.24 cameras in blister under
starboard wing and 30-Imp gal (136-1) blister tank under port wing, plus
rear fuselage tank as Type B. Operational by April 1940, PDU and No 212
Sqn.
Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk IV (initially Type D):
First production photo-recce version, developed by Supermarine (as Type
353) based on Mk I fighter airframe, with Merlin III engine, 133-Imp gal
(605-1) fuel in wing leading edges and extra oil in port wing. Two cameras
in rear fuselage, F.24 (8-in/20.3-cm or 20-01/91-cm) or F.8 (20-in/51-cm).
First of two prototype conversions (P9551, P9552) flown September 15,
1940. Starting mid-1941, Supermarine delivered 12 Type D based on Mk I
air-frames with Merlin 45 engines, and 217 PR Mk IVs based on Mk V airframes
with Merlin 45 or 46 engines, all delivered by March 1943. For service
in Middle East, some fitted with Aboukir-developed tropical filter. After
RAF detachments of PR Mk IVs to Northern Russia, two/three transferred
to Soviet Air Force, May 1944.
Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk V (initially Type E):
First low-altitude photo-recce variant, with oblique instead of vertical
cameras. One F.24 in blister fairing under each wing; rear fuselage tank.
Conversions from PR Mk III or F Mk V; in service with PDU April 1940.
Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk VI (initially Type F):
Interim long-range variant pending introduction of PR Mk IV. Based on
Mk V air-frame with Merlin 45; one 30-Imp gal (136-1) blister tank under
each wing, rear fuselage tank and extra oil tank in deepened nose cowling.
Two F.24 (8-in/20.3-cm) or F.8 (20-in/51-cm) cameras behind cockpit; some
later with oblique F.24 (14-in/35.5-cm) camera. In service July 1940 and
first RAF aircraft to photograph Berlin (X4712 on March 14, 1941). Fifteen
Type F converted from Mk V during production by Supermarine, and other
conversions from Type C. One to RCAF, 1943.
Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk VII (initially Type G):
First armed photo-recce version, with eight 0.303-in (7.62-mm) wing machine-guns;
29-Imp gal (132-1) rear fuselage tank. Two F.24 (14-in/35.5-cm and 5-in/12.7-cm)
vertical cameras and one F.24 (14-in/35.5-cm) oblique, mounted port or
starboard. Merlin 45. About two dozen conversions by Heston Aircraft;
in service mid-1940.
Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk VIII (initially Type H):
Proposed Supermarine Spitfire I PR variant with Merlin 32. Not built;
see PR Mk XIII.
Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk X: Unarmed long-range photo-recce
variant (Supermarine Type 362) based on F Mk VII (fighter) fuselage with
pressurised cockpit, Merlin 64 engine, leading-edge wing fuel tanks as
PR Mk IV, and oil tank in deepened nose cowling. Two F.52 (36-in/91-cm
or 20-in/51-cm) or F.8 (20-in/51-cm) vertical cameras or two F.24 (14-in/35.5-cm)
plus one F.24 (14-in/35.5-cm or 8-in/20.3-cm) oblique camera. Sixteen
built, in service from May 1944 with Nos 541 and 542 Sqns (following PR
Mk XI into service).
Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk XI: Basically unarmed photo-recce
variant of F Mk IX (fighter), using wing leading-edge tanks as on PR Mk
IV, extra oil tank in nose as PR Mk VI and X, camera options as PR Mk
X. First few PR Mk XIs by conversion of F Mk IXs in production by Supermarine
(Type 374) with Merlin 61 or Merlin 63; later aircraft (Type 365) with
retractable tailwheel, broad-chord rudder and Merlin 70. First flight
November 21, 1942; total 471 delivered. Served with some 14 RAF squadrons
and 21 transferred to USAAF for use by 7th PGinUK, 1943-45.
Max speed, 417 mph
(671 km/h) at 24,000ft (7,376 m). Initial climb, 4,350 ft/min (22.0 ml
sec). Time to 20,000 ft (6,100 m), 5 min. Service ceiling, 44,000 ft (13,411
m). Ferry range, 2,300 mis (3,701 km). Empty weight, 5,575 Ib (2,523 kg).
Gross weight, 7,930 Ib (3,597 kg). Span, 36 ft 10 in (11.23 m). Length,
31 ft 4'lz in (10.47 m). Wing area, 242 sqft (22.48 m2).
Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk XIII: Armed low-altitude photo-recce
variant (Supermarine Type 367) to succeed PR Mk VII, with 1,645 hp Merlin
32 engine. Based on F Mk VA airframe, but only four 0.303-in (7.7-mm)
guns in wings. Cameras as PR Mk VII. Total of 25 conversions from F Mk
II, F Mk VA or (four only) PR Mk VII air-frames. Eleven later transferred
to FAA. Entered service April 1943, used by Nos 541,542 and 543 Sqns.
