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The Supermarine Spitfire, one of the classic fighter designs of all time, traced its heritage to the Supermarine racing seaplanes of the Schneider Trophy series in the 1920s and 1930s. Chief designer R. J. Mitchell’s experience in developing these cutting-edge designs played a major role in the success of the Spitfire, which debuted in 1936 as one of the world’s fastest military airplanes. Just four years later, dashing and distinctive elliptical-winged “Spits” tangled with marauding German fighters and bombers during the Battle of Britain. The trusty fighter was continuously developed and had a long life with the Royal Air Force - in service at the beginning of World War II and still patrolling the skies on V-E (Victory in Europe) Day and beyond.
Never a long-range machine, the Spitfire was nonetheless ideal for scrambling into the air at a moment’s notice to defend the British Isles from attack. Later versions were also used in photo reconnaissance and ground attack roles. Spits were even called upon to intercept and destroy speedy V-1 “Buzz Bombs” launched from mainland Europe. A major contributor to the Spitfire’s performance (and also a beneficiary of Schneider Trophy racing experience) was the famous and powerful Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. It was available for the Spitfire at just the right time.
The Spitfire Mk. IX was the second most numerous of all variants (after the Mk. V), with 5,665 units produced. It continued the trend of structural strengthening to accommodate ever higher-powered versions of the Merlin engine, as well as added fuel capacity and many detail improvements.
The Museum’s Spitfire is an L.F. Mk IXe, built at the Vickers factory at Castle Bromwich, England in early 1944. (“L.F.” designates “Low-altitude Fighter, and the “e” wing accommodates four 0.50-inch Browning machine guns and two Hispano 20mm cannons.) Assigned to No. 126 Squadron, this Spitfire flew in support of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. After World War II, the plane served with the Royal Netherlands and Belgian Air Forces. It was on the Belgian civil register (OO-ARF) in the late 1950s and was used in the filming of The Longest Day in 1961. The Spit was later owned by TV actor Cliff Robertson and was extensively restored in the 1970s. During restoration, its Merlin 66 engine was replaced with a Merlin 76, the only Merlin engine available at the time. The aircraft was then acquired by the Apex Foundation and is now on long-term loan to the Museum.
The Supermarine Spitfire, one of the classic fighter designs of all time, traced its heritage to the Supermarine racing seaplanes of the Schneider Trophy series in the 1920s and 1930s. Chief designer R. J. Mitchell’s experience in developing these cutting-edge designs played a major role in the success of the Spitfire, which debuted in 1936 as one of the world’s fastest military airplanes. Just four years later, dashing and distinctive elliptical-winged “Spits” tangled with marauding German fighters and bombers during the Battle of Britain. The trusty fighter was continuously developed and had a long life with the Royal Air Force - in service at the beginning of World War II and still patrolling the skies on V-E (Victory in Europe) Day and beyond.
Never a long-range machine, the Spitfire was nonetheless ideal for scrambling into the air at a moment’s notice to defend the British Isles from attack. Later versions were also used in photo reconnaissance and ground attack roles. Spits were even called upon to intercept and destroy speedy V-1 “Buzz Bombs” launched from mainland Europe. A major contributor to the Spitfire’s performance (and also a beneficiary of Schneider Trophy racing experience) was the famous and powerful Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. It was available for the Spitfire at just the right time.
The Spitfire Mk. IX was the second most numerous of all variants (after the Mk. V), with 5,665 units produced. It continued the trend of structural strengthening to accommodate ever higher-powered versions of the Merlin engine, as well as added fuel capacity and many detail improvements.
The Museum’s Spitfire is an L.F. Mk IXe, built at the Vickers factory at Castle Bromwich, England in early 1944. (“L.F.” designates “Low-altitude Fighter, and the “e” wing accommodates four 0.50-inch Browning machine guns and two Hispano 20mm cannons.) Assigned to No. 126 Squadron, this Spitfire flew in support of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. After World War II, the plane served with the Royal Netherlands and Belgian Air Forces. It was on the Belgian civil register (OO-ARF) in the late 1950s and was used in the filming of The Longest Day in 1961. The Spit was later owned by TV actor Cliff Robertson and was extensively restored in the 1970s. During restoration, its Merlin 66 engine was replaced with a Merlin 76, the only Merlin engine available at the time. The aircraft was then acquired by the Apex Foundation and is now on long-term loan to the Museum.
