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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American Spitfires – a lesser-known story

In the September 2012 issue of Aviation News Jonathan Garraway and Andrew Thomas assessed the often overlooked use of the Spitfire by the US military during World War Two.

D-Day veteran Spitfire airborne in UK after 22-year absence

ML417 flies again from Duxford with revised appearance

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How Rolls-Royce bought a Spitfire for £250

When Rolls-Royce decided it wanted a Spitfire, the company ended up with a wartime veteran that once escorted Churchill’s aircraft —and which gave excellent service for more than four decades

Spitfire returns 'home' — and makes show debut

Ex-Belgian Air Force fighter-reconnaissance ‘Spit’ takes part in Florennes commemoration and gives first airshow display at La Ferté-Alais

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Czech Mate - Biggin Hill Spitfire flies!

Following years of restoration in the expert hands of Biggin Hill’s Spitfire Factory, Czech-marked Spitfire TE517 recently flew a sortie from Duxford

Recce cameras being built for Spitfire project

Optronics business Thales will deliver F24 reconnaissance camera installations for Spitfire restoration project

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TV legend Raymond Baxter's Spitfire reunion

For the famed broadcaster and wartime Spitfire pilot, flying the Supermarine fighter again after nearly 30 years — thanks to Aeroplane — was a truly unexpected pleasure

Latest Spitfire restoration flies at Biggin Hill

Privately owned MkIX takes to the air in its original wartime Czechoslovak squadron markings

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How eight forgotten Spitfires were recovered from Indian military airfields

In 1977/8 a team of Haydon-Baillie Aircraft & Naval Collection volunteers retrieved eight ex-Indian Air Force Spitfires from five widely-separated locations in India. The aircraft had been abandoned on military airfields, where they had served as decoys for many years. In an interview featured in the December 1979 issue of Aeroplane Monthly, Wensley Haydon-Baillie, co-founder of the collection, explained to the Editor some of the problems of retrieving these forgotten aircraft.

Tangmere readies new Spitfire simulator

Cockpit section being prepared as new attraction for Sussex museum

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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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