when was spitfire made

by Prof. Carli Bogisich DVM Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Full Answer

Why was the Spitfire so successful?

The impact of the Spitfire was as much psychological as physical, and this is why it was so successful. In fact, during the Battle of Britain, the Spitfire is reported to have shot down 521 German aircraft with an average of 27 planes shot down by each Spitfire. Yet another reason why it was successful was because of its versatility.

What was so good about the Spitfire?

What Makes the Spitfire so special? Its sleek lines, its maneuverability and the power put out by its Merlin engines. ...
The Spitfire was designed as a short-range, high-performance interceptor aircraft by R. J. ...
The Germans admired them. ...

Why was the Spitfire so effective?

These wings also made the Spitfire one of the most agile fighters in the sky, giving them the advantage with one-on-one battles. As well as this, the aircraft also had a very powerful engine. The 1,130 Horsepower Merlin engine gave the Spitfire a top speed of 362mph.

Was the Spitfire ever used as a dive bomber?

Spitfires were used as fighter bombers from 1943, by which time vertical dive bombing had been pretty much abandoned in Europe. They usually bombed in a shallow dive, as they would use when strafing ground targets with their guns. The Spitfire was not well suited to bombing.

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When were Spitfires first used?

Designed around a 1,000-horsepower, 12-cylinder, liquid-cooled Rolls-Royce PV-12 engine (later dubbed the Merlin), the Spitfire first flew in March 1935. It had superb performance and flight characteristics, and deliveries to operational Royal Air Force (RAF) squadrons commenced in the summer of 1938.

How much did a Spitfire cost in 1940?

Back when production of the Spitfire was underway it cost an average of £12,604 for each aircraft. Today that would equate to just under £800,000 for each Spitfire produced. This is more expensive than the RAF's other high-performance fighter – the Hurricane.

How long did it take to build a Spitfire during the war?

The complexity of the Spitfire's design translated into its production time. The Spitfire took 13,000 man-hours to produce,1 two-and-a-half times as long to make as a Hurricane. It took the Germans 4,000 man-hours to make the equivalent Messerschmitt Bf 109.

When did Spitfire production end?

The last offensive sorties made by RAF Spitfires were flown by 60 Squadron Mk XVIIIs over Malaya on 1 January 1951.

What was the fastest plane in ww2?

With a top speed of 540 mph, Germany's Messerschmitt Me 262 was by far the fastest fighter of World War II. It was powered by jet engines, a new technology that was not always reliable. Still, the streamlined Me 262 looked—and behaved—unlike anything else in the skies over Europe, and Allied pilots initially feared it.

What was the best plane in ww2?

The number 1 is no surprise: the North American P-51 Mustang. Often and usually considered the best fighter of the war, the P-51 was a game-changer for Allied forces. Employed as a long-range bomber escort, the P-51 was unmatched by German planes, especially at high altitudes.

How many kills did the Spitfire have?

5,988 killsBy adding the uncounted scores, the RAF and Commonwealth Spitfires scored 5,988 kills. This puts the aircraft just ahead of the Mustang on 5599....Which Allied Fighter scored the most victories in World War Two? I believe I know the answer.AircraftAcesAce KillsSupermarine Spitfire34129673 more rows•Dec 13, 2021

Did the US fly Spitfires in ww2?

The American Spitfires mostly saw service in North Africa and Italy, according to SpitfireSite.com, until they were replaced by P-51s. United States Army Air Force Spitfires scored almost 350 kills during World War II. The Spitfire is also notable for being the plane that got Jimmy Doolittle chewed out by Eisenhower.

Was the Spitfire better than the Hurricane?

The Spitfire and Bf 109E were well-matched in speed and agility, and both were somewhat faster than the Hurricane. However, the slightly larger Hurricane was regarded as an easier aircraft to fly and was effective against Luftwaffe bombers.

How much is a Spitfire worth?

An American Mustang – lauded as the US's answer to the Spitfire – sold for $3.5m in 2019, is today valued at $4.5m, while a British Hawker Fury which cost £1m in 2016 is now a £2m aircraft. “I'd struggle to identify any aircraft of these type and standards which haven't doubled in value,” says Grace.

How long could a Spitfire glide without fuel?

About the Gliding Scene - Spitfire planes could glide for 15 miles.

How fast was the Spitfire in mph?

369 mphSupermarine Spitfire / Top speed

How much did the Spitfire cost?

How much is a ww2 Spitfire worth?

As mentioned above, the 100 point restoration of this Spitfire took 11 years to complete, and the aircraft is now listed for sale with an asking price of £3,500,000, which works out to approximately $4,710,000 USD.

How many planes did the Spitfire shoot down in ww2?

Production was slow at first, but by September 1940 it was in service with 18 RAF squadrons. Spitfires shot down a total of 529 enemy aircraft, for a loss of 230 of their own.

How many kills did the Spitfire have?

What was the Spitfire?

A masterpiece of aerodynamic engineering, the Spitfire was among the finest fighter aircraft of the Second World War. Military archaeologist Keith Robinson celebrates the iconic design. Spitfires have hit the ground, touched the sea, bashed through trees, cut telegraph and high tension wires, collided in the air, been shot to pieces, ...

Who designed the Spitfire?

R J Mitchell, the Supermarine Spitfire’s designer, learnt his trade during WWI. He was conscious of the fragility of the early planes, and always considered pilot safety in his designs. Even when designs were optimised for speed, such as those for the Schneider Trophy races, he never sacrificed his concern for the pilot.

How fast was the Spitfire Mark II?

The Spitfire Mark II had slower maximum and cruising speeds, but a faster climb rate, being able to reach 20,000ft in 7 minutes, and had an improved ceiling of 32,800ft. The Mark II had better protection for the pilot as well, with increased armour behind the pilot’s seat to protect his head.

What was the Spitfire equipped with?

Versions of the Spitfire were equipped with machine-guns, cannons, rockets, and bombs. It could be used at high altitude or adapted as a ground-attack plane (see images of Spitfire adaptations ). Two marks were even tried with floats. By the end of the war, it had got through 13 different designs of propeller.

What gun did the RAF use for the Spitfire?

After consultations with RAF technical experts, the armament for the new Spitfire fighter was settled on 8 Browning .303 machine guns. These were basically Colt .30s manufactured under licence but re-chambered to take the British rimmed cartridges.

How fast is the 224?

His Supermarine Type 224, with its steam-cooled Rolls-Royce Griffon engine, could only manage a top speed of 230mph, against the Air Ministry’s rather modest specification, F7/30, for an all-metal, four-gun fighter, with a top speed of 250mph.

How fast was the Mark XIV?

The Mark XIV had a maximum speed of 443mph at 30,000ft, and could reach a height of 12,000ft in just 2 minutes 51 seconds. It was a Mark XIV which was the first Allied plane to bring down a Messerschmitt Me 262, the world’s first operational jet fighter.

When did the Spitfire first fly?

Who designed the Spitfire?

Quadrant/Flight. The Spitfire was designed by Reginald Mitchell of Supermarine Ltd., in response to a 1934 Air Ministry specification calling for a high-performance fighter with an armament of eight wing-mounted 0.303-inch (7.7-mm) machine guns.

How many Spitfires were made in 1947?

When production ceased in 1947, 20,334 Spitfires of all versions had been produced, 2,053 of them Griffon-powered versions. Fighter versions of the Spitfire were dropped from RAF service during the early 1950s, while photo-reconnaissance Spitfires continued in service until 1954. John F. Guilmartin.

What was the most widely produced and strategically important British single-seat fighter of World War II?

Author of Gunpowder and Galleys: Changing Technology and Mediterranean Warfare at Sea in the Sixteenth Century and others. Spitfire, also called Supermarine Spitfire, the most widely produced and strategically important British single-seat fighter of World War II.

How fast was the Spitfire?

The plane had a wingspan of 36 feet 10 inches (11.2 metres), was 29 feet 11 inches (9.1 metres) long, and reached a maximum speed of 360 miles (580 km) per hour and a ceiling of 34,000 feet (10,400 metres).

What was the Spitfire's contribution to the war?

One of the Spitfire’s most important contributions to Allied victory was as a photo-reconnaissance aircraft from early 1941. Superior high-altitude performance rendered it all but immune from interception, and the fuel tanks that replaced wing-mounted machine guns and ammunition bays gave it sufficient range to probe western Germany from British bases.

When did the Spitfire return to parity?

Though outperformed by the German Fw 190 upon that aircraft’s introduction in 1941, the Spitfire restored parity the following year and eventually regained the advantage. It remained a first-line air-to-air fighter throughout the war.

What was the Spitfire?

It was, in fact, so adaptable that it was the only fighter in production before, through, and after the war.

Who designed the Spitfire?

What was the first Spitfire engine?

The first of the production Spitfires with these engines was the Mark XII with the Griffon III or IV, followed by the Mark XIV with the 2050hp Griffon 65, driving a five-blade Rotol propeller. The Mark XIV had a maximum speed of 443mph at 30,000ft, and could reach a height of 12,000ft in just 2 minutes 51 seconds. It was a Mark XIV which was the first Allied plane to bring down a Messerschmitt Me 262, the world’s first operational jet fighter.

What marks did the Spitfire reach?

It eventually reached Mark 24, some of those marks being specialist Photo Reconnaissance (PR) planes, others reserved for the Navy and christened ‘Seafire’. Versions of the Spitfire were equipped with machine-guns, cannons, rockets, and bombs. It could be used at high altitude or adapted as a ground-attack aircraft.

How fast was the Spitfire Mark II?

What gun did the RAF use for the Spitfire?

What engine did the Mitchell plane use?

The plane was originally fitted with a two blade, fixed-pitch wooden propeller and a Merlin ‘C’ engine . Unfortunately, Mitchell died of cancer in June 1937.

When was the first Spitfire in service?

The first Spitfire I to enter service with the RAF arrived at 19 Squadron, Duxford, on 4 August 1938 and over the next few weeks aircraft were delivered at the rate of one a week to 19 and 66 Squadrons (also based at Duxford). The next to be equipped with Spitfires was 41 Squadron at Catterick, followed by a succession of squadrons stationed at Hornchurch in Essex. The public's first sight of the Spitfire in RAF colours was on Empire Air Day, on 20 May 1939, during a display at Duxford in which the pilot "belly-landed" his aircraft, having forgotten to lower his undercarriage and was fined £5 by the Air Ministry. By the outbreak of the Second World War, there were 306 Spitfires in service with the RAF, 71 in reserve and 2,000 on order; 36 had been written off in accidents.

When did the Spitfire attack the Luftwaffe?

On 16 October 1939 , the Spitfire first saw action against the Luftwaffe when three aircraft each from 602 Squadron and 603 Squadron intercepted nine Junkers Ju 88s of 1./KG30, led by Hauptmann Helmuth Pohle, over Rosyth attempting to attack the cruisers HMS Southampton and HMS Edinburgh in the Firth of Forth.

How high did the Luftwaffe bomb England?

A unit called the Höhenkampfkommando der Versuchsstelle für Höhenflüge, equipped with a small number of Junkers Ju 86R bombers, was able to bomb England from above 40,000 ft (12,000 m) without impediment from RAF fighters, or from anti-aircraft guns. On one such attack on 28 August a single bomb dropped on Bristol killed 48 people and injured another 46. To counter the threat, the "High Altitude Flight" was formed at RAF Northolt; this unit used a pair of Spitfire Mk Vcs which were converted into IXs by Rolls-Royce at the Hucknall plant. These were stripped of everything not required for the role of high-level interception, lightening them by 450 lb each. On 12 September 1942 Flying Officer Emanuel Galitzine, flying BS273, successfully intercepted a Ju 86R piloted by Fw Horst Göetz and commanded by Leutnant Erich Sommer above Southampton at 41,000 ft (12,000 m). The ensuing battle went up to 43,000 ft (13,000 m) and was the highest air battle of the war. However, problems were caused by the freezing air at that altitude and the combat was not decisive: the port cannon suffered a jam and, whenever the pilot fired a burst, the aircraft would slew and fall out of the sky. The bomber escaped safely with just one hit to its port wing, but having found it to be vulnerable to the RAF at high altitudes, the Luftwaffe launched no further high-altitude attacks against England.

How fast was the FW 190?

The Fw 190 was at least 25 to 30 mph faster than the Spitfire V, and could climb and accelerate to combat speeds more quickly. Spitfire pilots who flew over enemy territory using the standard technique of flying at low rpm and high boost pressures to economise on fuel often found themselves in trouble when intercepted by Fw 190s. If "bounced" while cruising at low speeds it could take a Spitfire up to two minutes to accelerate to top speed. The only way it was thought that a Spitfire could evade attack was to cruise at high speed and go into a shallow dive with the throttle open. Provided the Fw 190 was seen in time, it could be forced into a long stern chase. As a result of the high number of casualties being inflicted on Spitfires the Air Tactics Department (A.T.D) issued a guide on the optimum engine settings to use while flying over enemy territory: in part it read:

Why did the Luftwaffe capture Spitfires?

There is evidence that the Luftwaffe used captured Spitfires to test and for operational training duties. Supermarine Spitfire in many versions were present in the Luftwaffe, making the largest fleet of captured aircraft in Germany. All Spitfires were recovered, if possible, after crash landing and dismantled for spare parts for the few flyable aircraft or sent to air depots (many almost intact). Its use in combat is not recorded.

What was the B-17 and B-24 used for?

As the American strategic (B-17 and B-24) and medium (B-26 and A-20) bombing campaigns gathered momentum in mid-1943, the need for fighter escort meant much of Fighter Command's Spitfire force was used, while the U.S. fighter groups worked up to operational status.

How many FW 190s did JG 26 lose?

JG 26 lost six Fw 190s with their pilots. Spitfire losses stood at 70 destroyed and damaged to all causes. The Spitfire squadrons (42 with Mark Vs, and four with Mark IXs) were tasked with ground-attack, escort and air-superiority missions, so the exact number of Spitfire losses to the Fw 190 is unknown.

Who built the Spitfire?

Built by Supermarine. The company behind the Spitfire was Supermarine. Primarily known for their seaplanes and flying boats, with the Spitfire they proved that they could do much more. Supermarine Stranraer.

Who designed the Spitfire?

The Spitfire was designed by R. J Mitchell, one of Supermarine’s top engineers. He had extensive experience designing seaplanes to race in the Schneider Trophy competition, experience which he now turned to creating a streamlined, maneuverable fighter.

What was the role of the Mark I Spitfires in the Battle of Britain?

Mark I Spitfires played a crucial role in the Battle of Britain when Allied pilots defended Britain against the massive firepower of the German bomber fleets. 19 Spitfire squadrons were in service with Fighter Command at the start of the battle and fresh Spitfires were on their way.

How many machine guns did the Mark V Spitfire have?

The Mark V Spitfire was equipped with eight 7.7mm machine guns, standard fighter weapons of the early war. But armor and self-sealing fuel tanks on German planes made heavier weaponry necessary.

How far did the Spitfire range?

The Spitfire also had an excellent range, improved by the use of disposable drop tanks to carry extra fuel. The Mark V had a range of over 1,100 miles, allowing it to support bombers on missions deep into the heart of Germany, to destroy enemy manufacturing and infrastructure.

What are some interesting facts about the Spitfire?

17 Facts About the Spitfire – We all Know These, Right? The iconic British aircraft of World War Two, the Spitfire, has come to represent defiance, courage, and ingenious engineering. Here are some facts about one of the world’s most famous planes.

When was the first Spitfire flight?

First Flights. The first flight by a Spitfire took place on March 5, 1936. Two-and-a-half years later, in August 1938, Spitfires first joined the ranks of Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF) when they entered service at Duxford airbase. K9795, the 9th production Mk I, with 19 Squadron in 1938.

What were the Different Versions of British Spitfire Built?

Many versions of the British Spitfire were built, with different wing configurations. The original plane used a 768 kW (around 1,000HP) Rolls-Royce Merlin engine it was also possible to equip it with more powerful engines such as the 1,520 kW (2000HP) Rolls-Royce Griffon.

What was the Spitfire used for?

It was used as an interceptor, for reconnaissance, as a fighter-bomber, as a training aircraft and as a carrier-capable fighter. One of the aircraft’s biggest contributions to the war effort was that it was used for photo-reconnaissance.

How fast was the Spitfire?

In 1943 the British Spitfire models with the Rolls-Royce Griffon engines could achieve a top speed of 440 mph (710 kph) and climb to altitudes of 40,000 feet (12km). The Spitfires were used to shoot down the German V-1s or “buzz bombs” as they were called, which were the predecessor to the V-2 missiles.

Why was the Spitfire important?

One of the most important for the Spitfire was speed, thanks to its elliptical wing it was able to achieve higher speeds than most other fighters of the time.

What was the name of the British Spitfire?

November 17, 2019 Mack Dean 24785 views. British Spitfire Mk IX fighters (1943) The British Spitfire is a British fighter plane that was used by the RAF (British Royal Air Force) as well as other Allied countries during World War II. It was a single-seat aircraft which continued to see action even after WWII, well into the 1950s ...

When did the RAF stop using a spitfire?

The RAF stopped using Spitfires in the early 1950s, it was used as a photo-reconnaissance aircraft until 1954. The Spitfire was the only British plane to be in constant production before, during and after World War II.

What aircraft was used in the Battle of Britain?

During the Battle of Britain in the public’s eye the Spitfire was the RAF fighter, despite of the many Hawker Hurricane planes that fought against the German aircraft.

When was the Triumph Spitfire made?

The Triumph Spitfire is a British front-engined, rear-wheel drive, two-passenger convertible sports car introduced at the London Motor Show in 1962 and manufactured between 1962-1980. Styled for Standard - Triumph in 1957 by Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti, the Spitifire was manufactured for the duration of its production at ...

When was the last Spitfire built?

The Spitfire nameplate refers to the World War II fighter plane of the same name. Assembled at Canley in August 1980 shortly before the factory closed, the last Spitfire was an Inca Yellow UK-model including the factory hardtop and overdrive options.

What is Triumph Fury?

An all-monocoque construction derivative of the Spitfire with pop-up headlamps, named the Triumph Fury, was proposed with a single prototype being built.

What engine does the Triumph Spitfire use?

Developed on a shortened variant of the Triumph Herald saloon/sedan's chassis, the Spitfire shared the Herald's running gear and Standard SC engine. The design used body-on-frame construction, augmented by structural components within the bodywork and rear trailing arms attached to the body rather than the chassis. A manually deployable convertible top, substantially improved on later models, provided weather protection and a bespoke hard-top was available as a factory option.

How big is the hood of a Triumph Spitfire?

Triumph Spitfire. 48 in (1,219 mm) hood up. The Triumph Spitfire is a British front-engined, rear-wheel drive, two-passenger convertible sports car introduced at the London Motor Show in 1962 and manufactured between 1962-1980. Styled for Standard - Triumph in 1957 by Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti, the Spitifire was manufactured for ...

What year did Spitfire win the Geneva rally?

Popular in street and rally racing, Spitfires won numerous SCCA National Sports Car Championships in F and G Production classes; won its class at the 1964 Tour de France rally, coming in second overall, and won the 1964 Geneva Rally. In 1965, a Spitfire won its class in the Alpine Rally.

What is a spitfire 4?

The Spitfire was an inexpensive small sports car and as such received rather basic trim by today's standards, including rubber mats and a large plastic steering wheel. It was nonetheless considered fairly comfortable at the time, as it had roll-down windows and exterior door locks, as well as relatively full instrumentation. These early cars were referred to both as "Triumph Spitfire Mark Is" and "Spitfire 4s", different from the later Spitfire Mark IV. The "Spitfire 4" name indicated the possibility of the appearance of a six-cylinder version.

What was the first Spitfire engine?

The origin of the Spitfire’s first engine, the Rolls-Royce Merlin, was not designed to an RAF requirement, but instead was a private company venture – called the PV-12. After adoption for the prototype Spitfire, the engine, now named ‘Merlin’ was a 27-litre, liquid-cooled V12, producing an initial power output of 1000 horsepower, ...

What engine did the Spitfire use?

For now, we reflect and celebrate the iconic Merlin engine, without which the Spitfire would have never got off the ground.

How to tell if a Spitfire has a Rolls or Packard engine?

It is still said today that if you want to know if a Spitfire has a Rolls or a Packard engine, all you have to do is look underneath. The one with the Packard is the one that doesn’t leak oil all over the place! The Packard Merlin also transformed the P51 Mustang from an underpowered failure into a world-beater.

How many HP did the Merlin XII have?

The Battle of Britain was fought and won with the Merlin III and Merlin XII, producing around 1300 HP, the only snag being the tendency of the engine to cut out under negative G, when upside down, or pushing over into a dive.

Who invented the restrictor plate?

This was overcome by a technician called Miss Tilly Shilling, who invented a restrictor plate that prevented over-fuelling under these conditions. A huge amount of Merlin production was earmarked for the Lancaster and Halifax Bombers, but it was in the Spitfire that its legend was made.

Was the Spitfire a man made object?

The Spitfire was an engineering masterpiece, but no man-made object of such repute is ever designed in a vacuum. It will always be more. than the sum of its component parts. As well as a cutting edge all-metal monocoque airframe and a wing that was a work of sheer genius, the crucial element that actually took the guns all the way to ...

Who led the development of the Merlin engine?

With developments in supercharging, led by Sir Stanley Hooker, the enormous potential of the Merlin engine came to the fore. When the Luftwaffe’s new Focke-Wulf 190 fighter appeared on the scene, the Spitfire suddenly found itself outclassed and allied losses began to mount rapidly.

Overview

The Supermarine Spitfire, the only British fighter to be manufactured before, during and after the Second World War, was designed as a short-range fighter capable of defending Britain from bomber attack and achieved legendary status fulfilling this role during the Battle of Britain. According to fighter ace J.E. "Johnnie" Johnson it was the best conventional defensive fighter of the war.

Early RAF service

Spitfire night fighter

The documentation to specification F.10/35, which was framed around the Spitfire, was headed "Requirements for Single-engine Day and Night Fighter" and stipulated that the aircraft be equipped with "night flying equipment".
In line with these requirements Spitfire Is, IIs, VAs and VBs were fitted with a powerful, retractable landing-light in each wing. Dorsal and ventral identificatio…

Battle of Britain

The Battle of Britain (which officially started on 10 July 1940 and ended 31 October) was the first major test of both the Spitfire and of Fighter Command. During the Luftwaffe's onslaught important lessons were learned about the Spitfire's capabilities and its drawbacks.
The combat performance of the Spitfire was frequently compared with that of …

European offensive 1941–1943

In early 1941 the 11 Group commander Air Vice-Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory inaugurated a policy of "leaning forward into France" With this new policy, fighter sweeps ("Rhubarbs") and bomber escort missions ("Circuses") were mounted over France and other occupied territories, with the express purpose of forcing a response from Luftwaffe fighters. Leigh Mallory was fully supported by Air Chi…

D-day to VE Day

After the Normandy landings, some Spitfires (Griffon and Merlin engine marks) were retained in Britain to counter the V-1 flying bomb offensive in mid-1944 as part of the ADGB. Supplies of a new aviation fuel, which was called "150 Grade", arrived from America in March 1944 and sufficient quantities were available to be used by ADGB fighters as the V-1 offensive started. The new fuel enabled the Rolls …

Photo-reconnaissance

Before the Second World War, the RAF relied on Bristol Blenheims to carry out photo-reconnaissance as a secondary task as long range photographic reconnaissance was not considered important. Short range photo-reconnaissance was left to the Army Cooperation Command Westland Lysanders. Neither aircraft had the speed or altitude performance to avoid enemy fighter…

Mediterranean service

The Mk Vb was the first Spitfire to see extensive overseas service. On 7 March 1942, 15 Mk Vs carrying 90-gallon fuel tanks under their fuselages took off from HMS Eagle off the coast of Algeria on a 600-mile flight to Malta.
In the months that followed, some 275 Mk Vb and Vc Spitfires were delivered to the beleaguered island, with the Americans providing help by allowing the USS …