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Why is Spitfire so popular?
The Spitfire’s famous elliptical wing with sunken rivets to have the thinnest possible cross-section gave the aircraft a higher top speed than most other fighters of the time. These wings also made the Spitfire one of the most agile fighters in the sky, giving them the advantage with one-on-one battles.
Is the Spitfire the most beautiful plane ever?
It has no right to be beautiful, really – but it is. Designed for speed, maneuverability and ease of flight – the Supermarine Spitfire’s design also proved supremely adaptable. One of the iconic symbols of WWII, thanks in no small part to its beautiful elliptical wings – the Spitfire was loved by its pilots.
Why is Spitfire called Spitfire?
It was named after the daughter of the manufacturer’s chairman. The Spitfire’s name is often assumed to derive from its ferocious firing capabilities. But it likely owes just as much to Sir Robert McLean’s pet name for his young daughter, Ann, who he called “the little spitfire”.
Was the Spitfire any good?
The Spitfire was so good because it had enormous development potential. It was a top of the line fighter from 1939 all the way through to 1945, except for a brief period when the FW 190 was introduced. In the BoB it excelled as a short range interceptor, which is exactly what it was designed as.
Why was the Spitfire better than the Messerschmitt?
It was faster than the Spitfire at high altitude, could dive more rapidly and carried a more effective armament of two cannon and two machine guns. However, the Messerschmitt did not have the range to fly beyond London and carried only seven seconds worth of cannon ammunition, which limited its operational usefulness.
Are Spitfires still being made?
Seventy years after the Battle of Britain, authentic Spitfires are still being produced on the Isle of Wight. The company has re-built over 40 airworthy planes from wreckage and genuine Spitfire spare parts. Each has “the heart and soul” of a Spitfire, according to managing director Steve Vizard.
What made the Spitfire so special?
Its sleek lines, its maneuverability and the power put out by its Merlin engines. It was almost unmatched in the air during the early years of the war. The Spitfire was designed as a short-range, high-performance interceptor aircraft by R. J. Mitchell, chief designer at Supermarine Aviation Works in Southampton .
How many Spitfires are left in the world?
Today there are just 179 left today in various states of decay. The Spitfire was the only Allied aircraft to be built during the entire war. Because so many Spitfires were built, there were plenty of leftovers after the war.
When did the British stop using Spitfires in WW2?
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 until it was retired for good in 1961.
What are the different types of Spitfire aircraft?
Aircraft Variants: Supermarine Seafire,Supermarine Spiteful. British Spitfire Characteristics. Crew: one pilot Length: 29 ft 11 in (9.12 m) Wingspan: 36 ft 10 in (11.23 m) Height: 11 ft 5 in (3.86 m) Airfoil: NACA 2209.4(tip) Empty weight: 5,090 lb (2,309 kg) Loaded weight: 6,622 lb (3,000 kg)