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There were 24 marks of Spitfire and many sub-variants. These covered the Spitfire in development from the Merlin to Griffon engines, the high-speed photo-reconnaissance variants and the different wing configurations.
- Harry Atkins
- It was a short-range, high-performance plane. Designed by R. J. Mitchell, chief designer at Supermarine Aviation Works in Southampton, the Spitfire’s specifications lent themselves to its initial role as an interceptor aircraft.
- It was named after the daughter of the manufacturer’s chairman. The Spitfire’s name is often assumed to derive from its ferocious firing capabilities.
- The Spitfire’s maiden flight was on 5 March 1936. It entered service two years later and remained in service with the RAF until 1955.
- 20,351 Spitfires were built in total. Of these, 238 survive today across the globe, with 111 in the UK. Fifty-four of the surviving Spitfires are said to be airworthy, including 30 of those in the UK.
Supermarine Spitfire. Spitfire I: Original production model with 1,030-hp Merlin II engine, 8 Browning 0.303-in guns (Mk IB had 2 20-mm cannons and 4 0.303-in machine guns), Total aircraft 1,566. Spitfire II: Castle Bromwich aircraft with small changes and 1,175-hp Merlin XII engine, Total aircraft 750 IIA and 170 IIB.
May 2, 2016 · It has even proven to be popular among enthusiasts, with up to 55 Spitfires still taking to the skies today. Beyond those, many are standing as exhibits in various aviation museums around the world. The original Spitfire concept was designed by R.J. Mitchell, as a short-range, high-performance interceptor plane.
Mar 18, 2024 · The Supermarine Spitfire was a single-seater fighter plane, one of the most important aircraft of the Second World War (1939-45). Employed by the Royal Air Force in such crucial encounters as the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940, the Spitfire gained legendary status thanks to its graceful lines and superlative manoeuvrability.
- Mark Cartwright
Jun 4, 2021 · Because of its superior aerodynamics and sleek design, the Supermarine Spitfire became one of the iconic aircraft of World War II.
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The Supermarine Spitfire is one of the most iconic aircraft of all time. Between 1932 and 1947 over 20,000 of them were built and in those 7 years, Spitfire's changed dramatically from the Mk 1 to the Mk 24. Graham Rodgers looks at how the Spitfire evolved by taking us through just a few of Duxford's collections.
