A Brief History
On March 5, 1936, the fighter airplane that has been called the most beautiful plane of all time made its first flight. The Supermarine Spitfire British single engine single seat fighter would go on to be refined in time for World War II where constant updates allowed it to reign supreme, as quite possibly the finest fighter plane of World War II.
Digging Deeper
Introduced into active service in 1938, Spitfires served until 1961 with the Irish Air Corps, after having served not only the British RAF, but also 35 other air forces, including the United States Army Air Corps and United States Army Air Force. Designed by R.J. Mitchell, Joseph Smith took up the chief engineer and design reins when Mitchell died in 1937. With its pointy nose, smooth airframe, and low mounted elliptical wings, the Spitfire was easily identified in the sky, and it looked beautiful!
