The spitfire facts

The Squadron Leader who flew it, Anthoy F. Mitchell has sometimes been accused of copying the wing shape of the Heinkel He 70which first flew inbut as Beverley Shenstonethe aerodynamicist on Mitchell's team, explained: The first four frames supported the glycol header tank and engine cowlings.

A combination of 14 longitudinal stringers and two main longerons helped form a light but rigid structure to which sheets of alclad stressed skinning were attached. To carry out the mission of home defence, the design was intended to allow the Spitfire to climb quickly to intercept enemy bombers.

He says "I think it can be reasonably contended that the deliberations of that conference made possible, if not certain, of the winning of the Battle of Britain, almost exactly six years later". It was the Typebased on Type but with a retractable undercarriage and its wingspan was reduced by 6 ft 1.

Nevertheless, 30 more cannon-armed Spitfires were ordered for operational trials, and they were soon known as the Mk IB, to distinguish them from the Browning-armed Mk IA; they were delivered to No.

The first planes were mass produced in Assembly of the hand-build first prototype, serial K, took place at Eastleigh, near Southampton. In the film, R. Instead of carrying bombs, the planes could carry two small barrels of beer.

Consequently, the Air Ministry decided that after the initial order of Spitfires, production should be stopped and henceforth instructed Supermarine to build Bristol Beaufighters.

An enemy fighter could be brought down with just three or four hits, or at the very least it would be damaged beyond repair. But I have to admit that the later marks, although they were faster than the earlier ones, were also much heavier and so did not handle so well.

German bombers would have to fly to the UK over the North Seaand Germany did not have any single-engine fighters with the range to accompany them. At first the ailerons, elevators and rudder were fabric-covered. The new fighter was given the designation Type and was much better streamlined than the Typewith a shorter wing, retractable undercarriage and an enclosed cockpit.

Although the Brownings had a high rate of fire it was incapable of penetrating the armor plating on Luftwaffe aircraft. The modified aircraft was known as the Speed Spitfire and first flew on 11 November Inthe Air Ministry began formulating the requirements for an advanced high-performance fighter to replace the Bristol Bulldog in RAF service.

Learn more about World War 2 by visiting our World War 2 resources page. The Spitfire was built in many variants, using several wing configurations, and was produced in greater numbers than any other British aircraft.

Unfortunately, before an attempt on the record could be made, the Messerschmitt Me raised the record beyond the reach of a modified Spitfire, and so the aircraft was used for photo reconnaissance duties instead.

The French Dewoitine D.

The name Spitfire was taken from an old English word meaning someone of strong or fiery character. The Spitfire had its origins at Supermarine Aviation Works and was the brainchild of its chief designer, R.

A quiet guy, Shenstone by no means sought glory for his paintings, but in recent times he has been credited because the guy who persuaded Mitchell to undertake the ellipse - a transformed ellipse that was once specified in its form and its mixed use of 2 built-in aerofoil sections.

The two orders covered the K, L and N prefix serial numbers. These included Estonia, Greece and Turkey. Red fabric patches were doped over the gun ports to protect the guns from cold, dirt and moisture until they were fired. The black and white Invasion stripes are visible. 8 days ago · Slipstreamer Spitfire Windshield Review.

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After many years of. The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force and other Allied countries before, during and after World War cwiextraction.com variants of the Spitfire were built, using several wing configurations, and it was produced in greater numbers than any other British cwiextraction.com cost: £12, (£, in ) (Estonian order for 12 Spitfires in ).

Supermarine Spitfire facts that will blow your mind! See interesting facts about the history, size, cost and specifications of one of the greatest attack aircraft of World War II. 10 Spitfire Facts. Posted on September 25, by James • 50 Comments. Here are ten facts about Spitfires.

The Spitfire was the most famous fighter aircraft of World War II. It was the only British fighter plane to be in continuous production throughout the war. The Spitfire was, generally, a superior fighter to the Hurricane, What are the most interesting facts about the WWII Battle of Britain?

Was the Battle of Britain a hoax? Does Britain have a highway? Ask New Question. Still have a question? Ask your own! Ask. Related Questions. The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft.

It was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire was designed by R. J. Mitchell as a short-range, high-performance interceptor aircraft.

The spitfire facts