Found this last night, screenshots and some detail about the model/type…
[video]https://youtu.be/hsGreoGWGYk[/video]
Thanks OD. This model is an early LF model, from spring to summer 43. Most likely the first generation Mk IXs which were converted from Mk VC airframes and upgraded engine. Most of these were in combat until the end of the war. Only from very late 43 and onwards did they upgrade the Mk IX design with its own airframe improvements and crucially the improved and enlarged “pointed tip” rudder.
As you can see on this DCS model, the rudder is the original design deriving from Mk I, used in all marks up to the Mk V and the converted Mk IX. I’m surprised the author of the video did not catch this most obvious design difference between early Mk IXs in 43 and the later pointed tip rudders from 44 and onwards.
“While early Mk IXs converted from Mk VCs had the original (smaller) elevator horn mass-balances, most had the enlarged version with the straightened leading edge. A new rudder of greater area, which could be identified by a “pointed” tip, was fitted to many Mk VIIs, Mk VIIIs, and mid to late production Mk IXs and Mk XVIs.”
:w00t::w00t::w00t::w00t::w00t::w00t::w00t::w00t::w00t::w00t:
Additional recognition info about MkIX’s.
Mid production MkIX?s also had the longer Aerovee carburetor intake. The very early Mk IX?s had the shorter MkV type intake and some still the 3 blade props. The DCS Spitfire seems to be highly modeled on the Flying Legends MH434 (an original airframe and WWII survivor) shown in the video. MH434 is an LFIX with M66 and first flew in Aug 1943. The first MkIX?s (ex MkV?s fitted with M61) were rushed to squadrons in June 42 to redress the performance imbalance between the MkV and the new Fw190. As said by Stuntman the enlarged elevator horn balance is also a giveaway for mid production variants, noting that very late production marks had not only the broad chord (pointed tip) rudder, but also the cut away rear fuselage and teardrop canopy and the “e” type wing with 2 Hispano 20mm canon and 2 Browning .50 inch machine guns. These latter features were not exclusive to the MkXVI, which was basically a late production LFIX fitted with the M266 built by Packard (distinguishing feature the rounded exhaust stubs as opposed to fishtail). HF MkIX?s with the M70 series engine also often had extended wingtips and some LF?s the clipped wings. Wingtips were interchangeable and I guess depended on mission profiles, but I have never read any squadron records talking about changing wingtips. I guess the a/c were ordered by the Ministry with certain wingtips and were changed by the squadron if required.