Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk XIX

Supermarine · GB · first flew 1944 · reconnaissance aircraft

The PR Mk XIX was the ultimate unarmed photo-reconnaissance Spitfire, combining the two-stage Griffon engine with an internal fuel capacity of 445 litres and cameras in a dedicated reconnaissance fuselage.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, elliptical
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	9.96 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Unpressurised or pressurised cockpit (the only PR Spitfire with pressurisation option) with large single-piece blown canopy
Griffon 65/66 two-stage engine — longer nose than any Merlin PR variant
No armament; broad leading-edge camera blisters under each wing

The only PR Spitfire with a Griffon: the longer nose and five-blade propeller instantly distinguish it from all Merlin PR marks (XI, XIII etc.). Camera blisters under each wing root confirm the recon role over any Mk XIV or XVIII fighter.

Specifications

The Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk XIX has a length of 9.96 m (33 ft).
It has a wingspan of 11.23 m (37 ft).
Its maximum speed is 740 km/h (460 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Introduced in May 1944; 225 built. After the war it soldiered on with the RAF's Temperature and Humidity Flight (THUM) until 1957, making it the last piston-engined type in regular RAF service.

Variants

Early series unpressurised; later series with pressurised cockpit. Both used the Griffon 65 or 66.

Where you'll see it

RAF strategic reconnaissance 1944-46; THUM flight meteorological duties until 1957. Several airworthy survivors exist — the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight operates PS853, a regular airshow participant.

Related aircraft

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