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Supermarine Spitfire


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Based loosely on the Supermarine S.6 of the 1929 Schneider Trophy race, the prototype Spitfire Mk I first flew in 1936.  Mass production was slow to gain momentum and the first Spitfire didn't reach squadron service until 1938.

Although the Spitfire served throughout World War II, its most famous contribution to the war was the defense of the UK during the Battle of Britain 1940 - 1941.  Vectored to incoming German bomber formations by radar, Spitfires and Hawker Hurricanes kept the Luftwaffe from establishing air superiority over England and forced Germany to cancel its planned invasion of Great Britain.

Over 20,000 Spitfires and 2,000 Seafire naval fighters were produced.

 
 Specifications (Mk VA)
 
Type: Fighter
Engine: one 1,478 hp (1102 kW) Rolls-Royce Merlin 45
 
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More about Supermarine
Supermarine Aircraft is selling a reduced-scale kit Spitfire replica
 
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Book:
Schooldays to Spitfire
Gordon Mitchell

Print:
Spitfire on the Prowl
Stan Stokes
 

page updated 13 February 2008

 

 

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© Kenneth W Shanaberger 2000 - 2010