ANATOMY OF A… SPITFIRE

To this day the Spitfire is known across the globe as both a formidable weapon and a symbol of Britain’s triumph in the skies

SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE YEARS IN USE: 23 COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: GREAT BRITAIN ENGINE SIZE: 1,470HP WEIGHT: 2,300KG (LOADED) LENGTH: 9.12M TOP SPEED: 362MPH WEAPONS: 2X 20MM CANNON, 4X .303 MACHINE GUNS ICON OF THE SKIES The Spitfire appeared at a crucial time. With the Luftwaffe running riot in the skies courtesy of Nazi Germany’s early-war engineering efficiency, the Hawker Hurricane and P-40 were significantly lacking. The Spitfire changed the war, bringing with it exceptional power and manoeuvrability that outshone many of its contemporaries. It proved decisive in several key wartime sorties, racking up a raft of Luftwaffe kills and cementing itself as a far more popular and functional aircraft than the morenumerous Hawker Hurricane. Post-war it eventually served in different training roles until the 1950s – a testament to the joy…

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History of War Book of Combat Machines (Digital) - 1 Issue, History of War Book of Combat Machines 2016

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