There are more superlatives about Reginald Mitchell´s classic Spitfire than any other airplane in the world. No other British plane was produced more
(about 20.000 pices). The first Spitfire Mk.I's were delivered to 9 RAF Squadrons in 1938 as the war began.

In 1940 the Mk.II (with a 1975hp Merlin engine), followed by the P.R.IV (only one Mk.III was build) and the Mk.V, one of the most frequently used models.

All planes used one of the three wings; A-wing with 8 7.7mm MGs, the B-wing with 4 20mm Hispano cannons or the universal type C-wing, which was first used with the Mk.Vc.

With the Griffon 65 engine upcoming, the Mk.XIV was developed. The engine gave her a 2050 hp and a top speed of 717km/h in 24.000ft. The Mk.XIV was the first plane to shot down a Messerschmidt ME262 and was used succesfully in hunting the V1 rocket.

The Spitfire was built for 12 years and more than 20.000 pieces were produced during this time. There was no other plane the pilots loved more...

... and the foes hated more!

(Image above: A Mk.XIV and a Mk.IX)