VS Spitfire 2A Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. GAV 2161-230
The Spitfire is almost certainly most famous for it's vital role during the Battle of Britain. Mitchell's foresight really payed off here, the aircraft becoming mainstream at just the right moment to take up arms alongside the very capable but slower Hawker Hurricane. While the Hurricane still out-numbered the Spitfire by roughly 2-1 during this period and also had the higher tally, it had a hard time against the German BF109. The RAF would surely have had a bruising time of it without the Spitfire which proved itself a match for the fast Messerschmitt. The Spitfires used at this time were largely MK1 aircraft now fitted with a higher more rounded canopy for better visibiity, a three bladed twin pitch (later fully variable pitch) metal propellor and a Merlin type 2 or 3 with around 1030hp on tap (more than 1300 hp if run on 100 octane petrol with 12 pounds boost). Armament at this time was eight 303 machine guns in the wings. The MK1 was subsequently subdived into MK1a and MK1b depending on the armament fitted, MK1b aircraft having four 303s and two 20mm cannon while the MK1a had the original eight Browning arrangement. The Spitfire was incrementally improved and modified over this period. The MKII aircraft were largely like a fully upgraded Mk1 Spitfire and were fitted with an improved Merlin 12 engine producing around 1,175hp, these joining squadrons from late 1940.
Size: 6144px × 3975px
Location: RAF Fairford. Gloucestershire. England. United Kingdom
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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