‘With a Merlin 61 engine and a four-bladed prop, we will be able to outclimb the Me109s and Fw190s,’ Strawn reported. Within a week the entire squadron was equipped with Mark IXs flown down from Algiers. Strawn was overjoyed after his first flight. ‘What a ship it is! It has a 1,600hp engine with a supercharger which will take you up to 40,000ft or more if you need it. It is faster and has more climb than our old Fives. The Germans are scared to death of them for they know we can outclimb them.’
