The Spitfire, the most famous British fighter aircraft in history, the aircraft that won immortal fame during the summer months of 1940 by helping to defeat the German air attacks during the Battle of Britain. The first Spitfire Mk. I to enter service with the RAF did so with No.19 Squadron on 4 August 1938. The pilots immediately fell in love with the aircraft, which flew as wonderful as it looked. They recognised it as a thoroughbred combining a perfection of design with superb handling charac

"Different wings on a spitfire dictated what the armament was. Some had cannons, some had cannons and machine guns..." Watch 'Supermarine Spitfire | The Most Effective WW2 Fighter Aircraft?' on YouTube now: Luke Tomes speaks to John Romain, owner of the Aircraft Restoration Company and Spitfire pilot, about the unique attributes of this iconic fighter. | History Hit

With it's high class performance, manoeuvrability and elliptical wings the Spitfire was the most iconic aircraft of WWII. Learn more about the fastest and most nimble plane in the sky in brand new episodes of World War II: Secrets From Above, Mondays at 8pm, only on National Geographic UK. | National Geographic UK