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Supermarine Spitfire Second World War Battle of Britain J.E. "Johnnie" Johnson

The Supermarine Spitfire was a British fighter aircraft designed to defend Britain from bomber attacks during World War 2, achieving legendary status during the Battle of Britain. While initially designed as a short-range defensive fighter, the Spitfire evolved into a multi-role aircraft capable of operating in different environments, such as pioneering the role of high-speed, high-altitude unarmed photo reconnaissance. Post-war, the Spitfire continued serving in front line and secondary roles for several air forces into the 1950s, with the last RAF Spitfire offensive sorties flown over Malaya in January 1951.

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58 views1 page

Supermarine Spitfire Second World War Battle of Britain J.E. "Johnnie" Johnson

The Supermarine Spitfire was a British fighter aircraft designed to defend Britain from bomber attacks during World War 2, achieving legendary status during the Battle of Britain. While initially designed as a short-range defensive fighter, the Spitfire evolved into a multi-role aircraft capable of operating in different environments, such as pioneering the role of high-speed, high-altitude unarmed photo reconnaissance. Post-war, the Spitfire continued serving in front line and secondary roles for several air forces into the 1950s, with the last RAF Spitfire offensive sorties flown over Malaya in January 1951.

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elasu85
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Main article: Supermarine Spitfire

The Supermarine Spitfire, the only British fighter to be manufactured before, during and after
the Second World War, was designed as a short-range fighter capable of defending Britain from
bomber attack[1] and achieved legendary status fulfilling this role during the Battle of Britain.
[2]

According to fighter ace J.E. "Johnnie" Johnson it was the best conventional defensive fighter of

the war.[3]
As the war continued, however, the fighter evolved into a multi-role aircraft capable of operating in
different environments.[4] For example, the Spitfire was a pioneer in the role of the unarmed, photo
reconnaissance (P.R) aircraft which relied on high speed and high altitude to avoid detection and
avoid attack.[5]
Post-war the Spitfire was to continue to serve as a front line fighter and in secondary roles for
several air forces well into the 1950s.[6] The last offensive sorties made by RAF Spitfires were flown
by 60 Squadron Mk XVIIIs over Malaya on 1 January 1951.[7]

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