With perhaps the exception of the B-17 “Flying Fortress,” few World War II aircraft are as renowned as the Supermarine Spitfire. This British-made single-seat fighter was utilized by the Royal Air Force and various Allied nations before, during, and after the Second World War. Remarkably, it remained in continuous production throughout the conflict.
However, there are some lesser-known facts that even aviation enthusiasts might find intriguing.
The Spitfire: Not Designed for Long-Range Operations
Although numerous Spitfire variants were manufactured, each with different wing configurations, the aircraft was originally designed by R.J. Mitchell, the chief designer at Supermarine Aviation Works in Southampton, in the mid-1930s as a short-range interceptor.
A Carrier-Capable Version Was Developed
The Seafire, a carrier-based adaptation of the Spitfire, entered service in 1942. Interestingly, the idea of creating a carrier-capable variant had been dismissed by the Admiralty before the war. This decision was influenced by the prioritization of land-based Spitfire production.
However, following the Battle of Britain, the concept gained traction, leading to the production of the initial batch of approximately 140 Seafire Mk IB aircraft. The name “Seafire” was derived from the abbreviation of the longer designation “Sea Spitfire.”
Talking Names
While the aircraft’s current name carries significant weight, it was almost christened as the “Shrew” instead. The Air Ministry had provided Vickers-Armstrong with a list of potential names for the new aircraft, initially developed as the Type 300. Among the options preferred by Mitchell were “Shrew” and “Scarab.” However, Sir Robert McLean, then-director of Vickers-Armstrongs, had a different suggestion.
Although the term “spitfire,” dating back to Elizabethan times, historically referred to “a person with a fierce temper,” it was actually the affectionate nickname given by McLean to his eldest daughter, Annie Penrose, whom he fondly called “a little spitfire.” Interestingly, the name had previously been informally used for Mitchell’s earlier F7/30 Type 224 design. Despite this association, Mitchell was quoted as expressing skepticism, remarking that “Spitfire” sounded like “just the sort of bloody silly name they would choose.”
Usage in the Battle of Britain
Although the Spitfire is commonly linked with the Battle of Britain, it’s worth noting that the Hawker Hurricane actually achieved more enemy aircraft victories during the campaign.
One possible reason for the widespread belief in the Spitfire’s dominance during the early stages of World War II could be attributed to the 1968 film Battle of Britain. This film predominantly featured Spitfires due to their greater availability for filming, while Hawker Hurricanes were less prominently showcased. Consequently, many viewers now associate the Spitfire as the primary fighter of the period.
Nevertheless, despite its lower numbers, the Spitfire still garnered respect from the Germans. A scene in the movie accurately portrays an exchange between Luftwaffe ace Adolf Galland and Hermann Goering, head of the Luftwaffe. When Goering inquired about what his squadron leaders needed to achieve victory, Galland famously replied, “I should like an outfit of Spitfires.”
U.S. and Soviet Pilots Flew Spitfire
U.S. and Soviet pilots also operated the aircraft during the Second World War, with numerous aviators from Poland, France, Norway, Czechoslovakia, and other nations joining the ranks. It’s less commonly remembered that over 600 Spitfires were flown by the United States Army Air Force during World War II, with American pilots flying the aircraft even before the U.S. formally entered the conflict.
The 334th, 335th, and 336th fighter squadrons, part of the VIII Fighter Command’s 4th Group, were established in 1942 from the remnants of the American all-volunteer RAF formations known as the Eagle Squadrons, and they predominantly operated Spitfires throughout the war.
Additionally, the British provided the Soviet Union with approximately 1,200 Spitfires, alongside 3,000 Hawker Hurricanes. These aircraft were delivered to the Soviet Union via various routes, including the North Sea, the Far East, and the Persian Gulf, following a personal request from Joseph Stalin to Winston Churchill. Soviet pilots faced challenges adapting to the wing-mounted guns, while ground-based anti-aircraft gunners struggled to distinguish the streamlined silhouette of the British fighter from German BF-109s, especially the squared wing-tip configuration of the later Mk. LF IX Spitfire.
Efforts were made to enhance the visibility of the Spitfires by using larger and brighter insignia, notably red stars, but these measures had limited success. Consequently, the aircraft were eventually withdrawn to quieter regions in southern Russia.
It Brought the Beer
After the D-Day landings, some inventive Spitfire MK IX pilots adapted their bomb-carrying wings to transport beer kegs. These improvised “beer bombs” provided a much-appreciated source of chilled beer to the Allied troops on the ground in Normandy.
Innovative Features
The Spitfire was among the earliest aircraft to feature retractable landing gear, although this innovation occasionally posed a challenge for pilots who forgot to deploy the gear during landings.
Brad Pitt Owns One
The Spitfire made its inaugural flight on March 5, 1936, and entered service with the RAF two years later, remaining in service until its retirement in 1955. It stands as the sole Allied aircraft to have been manufactured continuously throughout the Second World War, with a total production of 20,351 units.
Today, fewer than 250 Spitfires are known to exist (the exact count varies by source), with fewer than 50 still deemed airworthy, including 30 located in the UK. Among private collectors, actor Brad Pitt is notable for owning one, reportedly purchasing it for $4 million after his involvement in the film Fury.
