Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX in Detail
Cockpit

n by Martin Waligorski
n photos by Martin Waligorski, Mattias Linde and Phillip Treweek

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Most Spitfire Mk. IX were fitted with the same type of canopy, a Malcolm Hood with bulged sides, as shown in this view. Only the few earliest examples were equipped with a flat-sided model known from the Mk. V. Another change introduced during the production run was a round rear-view mirror replacing the earlier rectangular type.

Note that the supporting bar connecting the top of the armored plate with the fuselage spine is located on the inside of the plexiglass.
 

The canopy featured an integrated bullet-proof windscreen. The windscreen part was mated to the cockpit cutout with an additional bit of metal skin which is clearly visible from this angle. 
 

Close-up on the pilot headrest mounted to the protective armour plate.

Details of the cockpit entry door with the prominent escape crowbar fitted to its inner surface.

Look into the cockpit, almost  in original condition except for the modern seat cushion and some radio wiring stuck beside it. Note that there is no solid cockpit floor, but only two moving circular bars connected to the rudder pedals in the front.
  

Another view showing the spade grip-style stick so typical for the British fighters of the era. The button on top of the grip is the compound gun trigger, serving both the cannon and machine gun armament.

 Mounted to the horizontal fuselage frame on the cockpit sidewall is the throttle control  (the item with the red handle). 

The colors of this cockpit are matching the original factory finish, with Interior Green sides and black instrument panel and other equipment.

Instrument panel in original condition. The round item on the bottom side of the photo is the undercarriage control unit.
 

View of the sizeable reflector gunsight. The headphones are of modern variety.

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