Before the started of WW2, a Spitfire was being designed for an attempt on the World Air Speed Record. The modified aircraft, K9834, was known as the Speed Spitfire and first flew late 1938. Unfortunately, before an attempt on the record could be made, the Messerschmitt Me 209 raised the record beyond the reach of a modified Spitfire.
When the war did start, this aircraft was converted to usable operational condition by fitting a Merlin XII engine with a three bladed airscrew.
Because of work needed to change it to the fighter version, it was fitted with an oblique facing F.24 camera on the port side and was then sent to the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (PRU) at Heston, then to RAF Benson when the Unit moved. It only carried out one operational reconnaissance mission. Because having only a 60 gallon fuel tank (designed for its record attempt) it did not have the range require for reconnaissance work. So it remained in service as a high speed run around until 1946
