The Vb version once again incorporated two Hispano cannons and four Browning machine guns. THE ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE IN TUNISIA, APRIL 1943 © IWM (TR 865) The prototype first flew on 27 November 1941. It didn’t go into full production but rather served as a development aircraft to sort out the airframe changes required to incorporate the additional weight and power of the new engine. The Mk IV would be the first Spitfire to be installed with the Rolls-Royce Griffon engine. The Mk Va again was fitted with eight Browning machine guns. The Mk V started operational service from early 1941 and were mostly constructed at Castle Bromwich. Although it would serve as the prototype for the crucial Mk IX This version didn’t make production as the engine was prioritised for the Hurricane II. The changes included reducing the wingspan, increasing the fuselage length, improvements to the undercarriage and retractable tail wheel. The Mk IIb version had the two Hispano cannons and four Browning machine guns.įirst major attempt at re-designing the airframe and incorporating an uprated Merlin engine, the first flight occurred in March 1940. The Mk IIa included eight Browning machine guns. The Mk II would be entirely built at the Castle Bromwich Aeroplane Factory and production began in June 1940 and completed by April 1941. THE ROYAL AIR FORCE IN BRITAIN, APRIL 1941 © IWM (TR 139) Unfortunately rival aircraft in Germany were approaching 470mph and the Speed Spitfire project lapsed. Modified Mk I for an attempt on the world speed record and first flew on 11 November 1938 and would eventually reach a top speed of 408mph. Spitfires fitted with two Hispano cannons and four Browning machine guns, the first squadron fully equipped with these was 19 Squadron in June 1940.Įxport aircraft for Estonia, Greece, Portugal and Turkey. The first production aircraft equipped 19 Squadron in 1938. ROYAL AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT OF THE INTERWAR PERIOD © IWM (MH 5212)Ĭonstruction of K5054 began in December 1934 and the prototype first flew on 5 March 1936 from Eastleigh with ‘Mutt’ Summers as pilot. Please find below details of each mark of Spitfire and the sub menus are dedicated to specific aspects of the Spitfire’s history and cultural impact.
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