Supermarine Spitfire

	Supermarine Spitfire
		Spitfire Full Text

	It was one of the most elegant fighters ever to be built and when it was created, it was a new breed of aircraft. Instead of the pilot strapping himself into the airplane, it was rather, the airplane was strapped onto the pilot—both becoming one. Unlike its contemporary, the Hawker Hurricane, which used biplane construction techniques, utilizing wood and fabric, the Spitfire was of modern all-metal construction. More importantly, it could be expanded to allow for greater power and armament, and stayed in production throughout the war, while others faded away. More than 20,000 Spitfires were built with some 40 different variants throughout the war, and after. They served in every combat area, operating as fighters, fighter-bombers, reconnaissance aircraft, and carrier-based fighters. Read More ...