Photo: A Spitfire MK V from the 303 Kościuszko Squadron

Spitfire - monument in Northolt. During Battle of Britain (II World War) the Northolt was the base of the highest scoring unit during the Battle of Britain No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron.

was an iconic British single-seat fighter used by the RAF and many Allied countries in the Second World War.

Produced by Supermarine, the Spitfire was designed by R.J. Mitchell, who continued to refine the design until his death from cancer in 1937. Its elliptical wing had a thin cross-section, allowing a higher top speed than the Hawker Hurricane and other contemporary designs; it also resulted in a distinctive appearance, enhancing its overall streamlined features. Much loved by its pilots, the Spitfire saw service during the whole of the Second World War, in all theatres of war, and in many different variants.

More than 20,300 examples of all variants were built, including two-seat trainers, with some Spitfires remaining in service well into the 1950s. Although its great wartime foe, the Messerschmitt Bf 109, in its many variants, rivalled the Spitfire's production statistics, the Spitfire was the only fighter aircraft to be in continual production before, during and after the Second World War.

[Source: Wikipedia]

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