Supermarine Spitfire

The Supermarine Spitfire, often referred to as simply ‘Spitfire’, is a British fighter plane which gave the British dominance in the air in the Battle of Britain during World War 2. First produced in 1936 by manufacturer Supermarine, a handful of Spitfires have survived to still be airworthy well into the 21st century.

 

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Aeroplane meets... Peter Arnold

The world’s leading Spitfire expert has been instrumental in many a project — and travelled the globe in search of airframes

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The inside story of Ireland’s two-seat Spitfires

While Vickers-Armstrongs failed to enjoy their hoped-for success with the Spitfire Trainer, the Irish Air Corps was an enthusiastic customer. Today, these aircraft have assumed great importance on the warbird scene. With new research and never-before-seen archive photographs, this is the most comprehensive study yet of Ireland’s two-seat ‘Spits’

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How the Soviets used the iconic Spitfire in combat

Vladimir Kotelnikov, in the February 2014 issue of FlyPast, revealed the Spitfire’s combat career with Soviet forces.

Owning a Spitfire: does it live up to the dream?

George Haye has fulfilled the dream of owning a Spitfire having bought RW382/G-PBIX, which is also known as the Suffolk Spitfire. He tells Key Aero’s Dino Carrara whether the reality of owning this iconic warbird has lived up to the dream.

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Spitfire missions of Rhodesian-manned 266 Squadron

From a special Key Publishing magazine on the Spitfire, Andrew Thomas outlines the exploits of the Rhodesian-manned 266 Squadron

Historic Aviation Quiz: The Spitfire Mk.I

With August 4, 2023 marking the 85th anniversary of the Spitfire Mk.I entering Royal Air Force service, we dedicate this week’s quiz to a type that combined elegance, speed, lethality and maneuverability and opened the chapter for what is regarded one of – if not – the most iconic aircraft in aviation history…

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RAF Spitfire warpaint – Camouflaging a classic

The RAF’s Supermarine Spitfires wore a wide variety of camouflage schemes which illustrate how single-seat fighter camouflage evolved considerably between 1938 and the immediate post-war period. Paul E Eden examined the subject in the March 2013 issue of Aviation News.

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Spitfire Mk.III ­– The forgotten fighter

In the January 2012 issue of Aviation News, Barry Wheeler described the Spitfire Mk.III, which played a brief but significant part in the progressive development of Britain’s greatest fighter.

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Spitfire versatility: three pilots’ diverse combat experiences

Through the experiences of a trio of pilots, Air Cdre Graham Pitchfork highlighted the versatility of an amazing fighter in the February 2013 issue of FlyPast

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Warbird pilot Brian Smith's Spitfire love affair

The world’s most illustrious airworthy Spitfire, the Old Flying Machine Company’s MkIX MH434, is 80 this year. To mark the occasion, one of its pilots reflects on his privileged association with this outstanding warbird — and the Hanna family

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Spitfire Plane Facts, News and Restorations

This page is the only place you need for everything Spitfire related; from interesting historical facts to the latest news on restoration projects, Spitfire appearances and more! For example, did you know that early models of the Spitfire had issues with their Browning machine guns freezing at higher altitudes, a problem that was not addressed until 1938 when a heating system was added to the gun bays.

No military plane has become such a renowned symbol of British Airforce superiority both in terms of its engineering prowess and illustrious military record. The Spitfire has become one of the most popular military aircraft amongst restorers, enthusiasts and airshow attendees alike and for the British represents a symbol of victory. Powered by two Rolls Royce Merlin or Griffon engines, the Spitfire was fast with later variants hitting a top speed of 454mph, making it a formidable and agile foe when it came to short range dog fights giving the RAF the slightest of advantages in critical battles of WW2.

Despite being outnumbered by the Hurricane during the battle of Britain, The Spitfire suffered fewer overall losses and had a higher victory to loss ratio. This, in part, is what lead many of the British to believe that the Spitfire was the reason the Battle of Britain was won. In reality the combination of the two planes and their skilful pilots is what lead the British to victory in the skies.

Of all the legendary fighter, bomber and transport military aircraft from this period, the Spitfire is the one that has captured the hearts and minds of countless enthusiasts and lead to a myriad of restoration projects, airshows and museum pieces.

Take a look at our Spitfire related articles below to find out more about this legendary Warbird aircraft. Discover more articles on vintage aircraft restorations.

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