Supermarine Spitfire
The Spitfire is the most famous British aircraft of all time. Although less numerous than the Hawker Hurricane during the Battle of Britain, it is nevertheless remembered as the sleek, throughbred fighting machine that turned the tide during that campaign. The Spitfire is among the fastest and most manoeuvrable fighters of World War II and served in every combat there.
Supermarine designer Reginald Mitchell created a small, graceful fighter with elliptical wing and eight guns in the wings, able to fire without being hindered by the propeller. The immortal Spitfire thus became not merely one of the best-performing fighters of all time, but also one of the best-looking. Although never a long-ranged aircraft, the Spitfire was a championin an air-to-air duel. Spitfires were routinely dived at velocities approaching the speed of sound, faster than any of the German jets.
Merlin engines were used in the early versions of the Spitfire, later supplanted by the more powerful Griffon. Late Spitfires introduced a bubble canopy which made one of history's most beautiful aircraft even more appealing. The carrier-based Seafire, derived from the Spitfire Mk V, made a vital contribution to British naval air power until new American carrier fighters appeared later in the war. The Spitfire also found a new role as a tactical fighter-bomber.
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| The first Spitfire to fly had a twin-bladed propeller and a tailskid. Its Merlin engine had only half the power of the massive Griffon engines of later Spitfires. |
After the Battle of Britain, Spitfires were sent on patrols over France known as 'rhubarb' missions. to attack such opportune targets as trains or convoys. |
The Spitfire's performance was in part due to its efficient and beautiful elliptical wing. |
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Supermarine Spitfire (Technical Specification) |
| Role |
Single-seat fighter/interceptor |
| Manufacturer |
Supermarine |
| Maximum Speed |
594 kmh (374 mph) |
| Maximum Range |
1827 km (1,135 miles) |
| Ceiling |
11,125 meters (37,000 feet) |
Weight
Empty
Maximum Takeoff |
2,267 kg (5,000 lbs)
2,911 kg (6,400 lbs) |
Dimensions
Wingspan
Length
Height
Wing Area |
11.23 meters (36 ft 10 in)
9.12 meters (29 ft 11 in)
3.02 meters (11 ft 5 in)
22.48 square meters (242 sq ft) |
| Engines |
One Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 Vee piston engine which provides 1103-kW (1,440-hp) |
| Armament |
Eight 7.7 mm (0.303 cal) Browning machine-guns with 350 rounds per gun |
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