The History of the Spitfire

Spitfires were in production just before, during, and just after World War II. It was in the period during World War II that these aircraft were built in large quantities and under great time constraints whereby it was accepted that their active life in service was limited to tens of hours rather than hundreds or thousands.

It was for this reason that little time and expense was spent on the “conservation” and “cosmetic appearance” of the aircraft built, beyond that strictly necessary for functionality and speed of delivery.

The symbol of Britain's refusal to give up during that dark summer of 1940, the Spitfire won the hearts of both pilots and public in World War II. Regardless of the version, with either Rolls-Royce Merlin or Griffon power, all Spitfire cockpits are virtually identical and wonderfully compact.

Climbing in really is (to use a very worn turn of phrase) like pulling the machine on. If everything is done correctly, the Spitfire is one of the easiest aircraft to start. The engine usually fires within two blades and runs like a clock.

While the Merlin-engine versions run very smoothly, the larger Griffon-engine machines feel as if they are angry. The sound from the exhaust stacks and the vibration transferred to the seat of the pants communicates visceral power, almost a desire to go kill something. Any hot-rod lover would enjoy this sensation of unbridled horsepower, this impatience to be turned loose and hunt. Every fighter I've been in is great fun to fly but only a very few are brutally straight about why they exist. The Griffon Spitfire is one such machine.