The Spitfire was built in many variants, using several wing configurations, and was produced in greater numbers than any other British aircraft. It was also the only British fighter to be in continuous production throughout the war.
The Spitfire continues to be a popular aircraft, with approximately 53 Spitfires being airworthy, while many more are static exhibits in aviation museums all over the world.
© IWM (COL 189) |
A Spitfire in flight over England, 1939-1945. Source
© IWM (COL 190) |
Three Spitfires flying in formation over Essex, 1939-1945. Source
© IWM (TR 823) |
Spitfires of the Royal Canadian Air Force in Tunisia, 1943. Source
© IWM (TR 872) |
An RCAF Spitfire pilot preparing for take-off, Tunisia, 1943. Source
© IWM (TR 865) |
Royal Canadian Air Force Spitfires flying over the Tunisian desert, 1943. Source
© IWM (TR 23) |
Start-up of a Spitfire named ‘The Flying Scotsman’, paid for by donations from LNER personnel (‘The Flying Scotsman,’, of course, being the name of a well-known train, at the time run by LNER). England, 1942. Source
© IWM (TR 1009) |
A crashed RCAF Spitfire being dismembered for parts, Tunisia, 1943. Source
© IWM (TR 1033) |
A Spitfire pilot of the South African air force conferring with his Number 2, Tunisia, 1943. Source
© IWM (TR 1536) |
RAF Spitfires flying past Mount Vesuvius, Italy, 1944. Source
© IWM (TR 1069) |
The personal Spitfire of Air Vice Marshal Keith Park, Commanding Air Officer of Malta, as he prepares for a ceremonial take-off to inaugurate Malta’s new aerodrome at Safi, 1943. Source
© IWM (TR 745) |
And…. take-off! Source
© IWM (COL 191) |
Re-fueling and bullet-replenishing of a Spitfire, England, 1939-1945. Source
© IWM (COL 192) |
RAF pilots in front of a Spitfire, England, 1939-1945. Source
© IWM (TR 857) |
RAF Spitfires banking over Tunisia during a sortie, 1943. Source
© IWM (TR 139) |
A Spitfire in flight over the English coast. Source
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