Supermarine Spitfire

The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and other Allied countries before, during, and after World War II. Many variants of the Spitfire were built, using several wing configurations, and it was produced in greater numbers than any other British aircraft. It was also the only British fighter produced continuously throughout the war. The Spitfire continues to be popular among enthusiasts; nearly 60 remain airworthy, and many more are static exhibits in aviation museums throughout the world.

Background

The legendary Spitfire was one of the most important aircraft designs of World War II, instrumental in defeating the Luftwaffe on all fronts of the war. This single-seat fighter was originally designed as a short-range, high-performance interceptor. R.J. Mitchell of Supermarine Aviation Works was instrumental in pushing its elliptical wing, to give it top speed superior to contemporary fighters. Joseph Smith took over the design after Mitchell's death in 1937, overseeing the development of the fighter into numerous variants.

The Spitfire was produced over a decade between 1938 and 1948, with over 20,000 fighters built. Continuous upgrades, modifications, and adaptations allowed the fast interceptor to remain competitive against all Axis designs, starting with the Battle of Britain, where they were more than a match for the Bf 109 fighters of the Nazis, and ending with the struggle for air superiority over Western Europe.

Models

Mk.V

• Spitfire Mk. Vb/trop (UK)
• Spitfire Mk. Vb/trop (Can)
• Spitfire Mk. Vb/trop (Fr)

Mk.VIII

• Spitfire LF Mk VIIIc Medium Bomber (227+113kg) (Can)
• Spitfire LF Mk. VIIIc Medium Bomber (227+113kg) (Fr)

Mk.IX

The Mark IX was a new variant of the Spitfire, designed in early 1942 to counter the Focke-Wulf Fw 190. The German fighter was superior to the Spitfire VB in all aspects, putting pressure on the Fighter Command to come up with a solution. The answer came in the form of Merlin supercharged engines, bridging the performance gap, while subsequent upgrades turned it into a powerful platform capable of confronting enemy aircraft through to the end of the war.

Fighter variants

• Spitfire LF Mk. IXc (UK)
• Spitfire LF Mk. IXc (SA)
• Spitfire LF Mk. IXe (UK) (SD2)
• Spitfire LF Mk. IXe (Fr) (SD2)
  • Spitfire LF Mk. IXe Clostermann
• Spitfire LF Mk. IXe (Can) (SD2)
• Spitfire LF Mk. IXe (Pol) (SD2)

Bomber variants

Two 110kg bombs payload (Light Bomber)

• Available for UK; Can (SD2).

Two 230kg bombs payload (Medium Bomber)

• Available for UK; Can; Fr.

Mk. XI

• Spitfire PR. Mk XI

MK.XIV

• Spitfire F Mk. XIV

Supermarine Seafire

The Seafire was the naval version of the Supermarine Spitfire. The concept of the Seafire was thought up as early as May 1938 to replace obsolete aircraft in use in the Fleet Air Arm. But production of the normal Spitfires was more important.

F.III

The Seafire F.III Dogfighter was the first true carrier adaptation of the Spitfire with folding wings.

• Seafire F.III Dogfighter

L.III

Seafire L.III is the Reconnaissance variant of the design.

• Seafire L.III Recon Plane