Me too! Me too!
The (new) highest speed I have seen for a Mk IX with a Merlin 61 is 417mph at 28,800ft. The plane was R6700(Mk I conv.), during propellor trials in April '42. At 35,000ft speed was 404mph. Another Spitfire Mk IX, BS310 recorded 413mph at 28,000ft during engine comparison trials in Oct '43.
Trust me, the Spitfire Mk IX is too fast.
The LF Mk IX with 150 octane fuel certainly did break 400mph. JL165 was a Mk V converted to LF Mk IX(Merlin 66). A comparison was made with BS543, also a Mk V converted to LF Mk IX.
At +18lbs boost. JL165 BS543
Max climb, radiators open.
MS gear......... 4200 4700
FS gear......... 3500 3850
Max level speed, radiators shut.
MS gear......... 364 384
FS gear......... 388 407
At +25lbs boost. JL165
Max climb, radiators shut.
FS gear......... 5100
Max level speed, radiators shut.
MS gear......... 374
FS gear......... 409
Unfortunately no altitudes are given. BUT:
JF275, a Mk VIII(Merlin 66). +25lbs boost.
362mph at sea level.
MS gear 374mph at 2,800ft.
FS gear 409mph at 14,000ft.
5,580fpm at sea level.
FS gear 5,100fpm at 11,000ft.
Now thar be an uberspit!
Interconnected propellor and throttle controls were used with the Merlin 66 afaik.
[This message has been edited by juzz (edited 06-05-2000).]