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Great info, but can we find the small antenna under the starboard wing or did these guys fly without IFF for a while?
Although the Mark II's selection of frequencies covered the early war period, by 1942 so many radars were in use that a series of sub-versions had been introduced to cover particular combinations of radars. The introduction of new radars based on the cavity magnetron required different frequencies to which the system was not easily adapted. This led to the introduction of the Mark III, which operated on a single frequency that could be used with any radar; it also eliminated the need for the complex gear and cam system. Mark III began entering service in 1943 and quickly replaced the Mark II.
Wojtek,And you shouldn't. IIRC the underwing antenna appeared with the IFF Mk.III. And the variant wasn't used for Spitfire Mk.V at that time but for Mk.IX and late versions. However the early Mk.IX had the IFF antena wire but at the starboard side only.
The top one the early Mk.IX , the bottom one the later Mk.IX.
the source: Spitfire help... calling experten! Mk F IXb. Vs. Mk IXc?
This is from Mushroom Model Magazine Special, "Supermarine Spitfire Mk V
There are also two photos showing this.
In early 1943 a new IFF, the Mk III started being fitted to all front-line fighters. On the Spitfire the fuselage to tailplane wires were replaced by a single rod aerial mounted under the starboard wing. At about the same time the updated TR 1143 radio sets started replacing the TR 1133s, although no external changes were visible.