The Supermarine Spitfire is probably the most famous British fighter of World War II. The Spitfire’s story began on the drawing board of R.J. Mitchell, Supermarine’s chief designer. For many Britons, it became a symbol of victory [...]

The Supermarine Spitfire is probably the most famous British fighter of World War II. It was an all-metal machine with a low-wing configuration, characteristic elliptical wings, a classic tale, and retractable landing gear. The prototype’s flight took place on March 5, 1936. The Spitfire proved to be the staple of the RAF during the war, and it continued to perform well after the war, remaining in production for 10 years.

 

The Spitfire’s story began on the drawing board of R.J. Mitchell, Supermarine’s chief designer. The first machines went to RAF units in 1938, but when the Battle of Britain began in the summer of 1940, there were already 19 squadrons of modern fighters on the airfields – with the slightly older Hurricanes of the islands, 600 planes defended. With the expansion of hostilities, the Spitfire served wherever the RAF operated in the Far East, North Africa, and Italy, during the Normandy landing and fighting in France, and finally during the operation in Germany in 1945. 

 

For many Britons, it became a symbol of victory during World War II. This wonderful machine has at least a dozen production versions. The most important of these are, among others, the first series-produced Spitfire Mk. I powered by a 1030 hp Rolls-Royce Merlin II engine. It is especially this machine that made such a beautiful contribution to the Battle of Britain.

 

Many versions of this model were developed, including PR Mk IA (reconnaissance version) or PR.IG (armed reconnaissance version). Another interesting version was the Spitfire Mk. V with a Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 engine with 1440 HP. Later, Merlin 50 engines were also assembled.

The serial production of this version began in 1941 and was the RAF’s response to the appearance of the Messerschmitt Bf-109F. Another very successful version is the Spitfire Mk. IX, powered by a Merlin 61 engine with a 4-blade propeller. It was created as an adversary of the Focke-Wulf Fw-190 and was put into production at the end of 1941. This version was modified several times and, for example, in 1944, it received a new gyroscopic sight, an enlarged rudder, or a different wing system. Another major version is the Spitfire Mk. XIV with a Rolls-Royce Griffon 61 engine and a five-blade propeller.

Serial production began in October 1943. One of the last series produced was the Mk.21 version. This version had a Griffon 61 engine, a heavily reinforced structure and cladding, the wings were lengthened, increasing their flight surface. Mass production began in March 1945.

 

 

Source: super-hobby