Spitfire was a military airplane used by the United Kingdom and its allies during World War II (1939-1945). The Spitfire was a single-engine fighter plane designed by Supermarine Aviation Works. The plane became a symbol of the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force (RAF) and one of the most famous aircraft of World War II.
Most Spitfires carried one pilot and eight heavy machine guns. Some also carried rockets or bombs for surface attacks. A Rolls-Royce Griffon engine gave late models of the plane a top speed of about 460 miles (740 kilometers) per hour. The Spitfire had a maximum altitude above 40,000 feet (12,000 meters). The plane was designed as a short-range home defense fighter. Drop tanks—exterior fuel tanks attached beneath the plane’s body—greatly increased its range for other tasks.
Supermarine tested a prototype (early model) of the Spitfire in 1936. The plane entered RAF service in 1938. The fighter’s most famous role was defending against German air attacks during the 1940 Battle of Britain. By 1941, the Spitfire, along with the Hawker Hurricane, was the backbone of RAF Fighter Command. Spitfires went on to fight on all fronts during World War II. Improved versions of the aircraft appeared throughout the war, with greater firepower, range, and speed. A British Royal Navy version of the fighter—the Sea Spitfire, or Seafire—operated from aircraft carriers.
More than 20,000 Spitfires were built, along with some 2,400 Seafires. The last RAF Spitfire was retired in 1957.
See also Aircraft, Military ; Britain, Battle of ; Fighter plane ; World War II (The air war) .
