Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk.XIX in Swedish service

The reconnaissance version of Saab 18 (which was intended as a gap filler until the reconnaissance version of Saab 29 entered service) was delayed (due to a strike), so a number of Seversky Republic EP-1s and Junkers 86Ks were fitted with cameras.

In 1948 it was decided to purchase a batch of 60 surplus Spitfire Mk XIXs which never had been put into RAF service and were available for immedeate delivery. The order was reduced to 50 aircraft and they entered Swedish service during the beginning of 1949, with the Swedish designation S 31. As the spare parts became delayed one individual had to be used dismantled for spare parts and never became operational.

They retained their PRU Blue paint, but were often repainted with any blue paint.

Camera fit was two vertical cameras with a focal lenght of 920 mm and one oblique with 350 mm. Normal altitude for vertical photography was 9000 m.

During 1953 a few Vampires were supplied to the reconnaissance squadrons but they were quickly replaced with the Saab 29 in 1954. The last Spitfire was retired in 1955. Ten of the crashed, resulting in one fatality, the others were broken up (but we have one at the air force museum--it only cost us three Saab 32 including training, a Skyraider, a Hawker Hunter).

Data
Span:   11.23 m
Lenght:  9.96 m
Empty weight: 2960 kg
Normal operating weight: 4082 kg
Max speed: 735 km/h
Economy cruise: 580 km/h
Max altitude: 14000 m
Max range: 880 km (1125 km with drop tank)
Engine: RR Griffon 66 with max 2035 hp