World War II Database

1. Robert says:
13 Aug 2010 04:00:32 PM

I would say this photo was taken around 1938 when 19 Squadron equipped with the type. Note the 2-bladed propeller, unarmoured windscreen, flat cockpit canopy, narrow radio mast and pre-war A1-type markings.

2.  Bill says:
30 Dec 2012 09:06:07 AM

ANOTHER PHOTOGRAPH SHOWS THIS SPITFIRE MK.1a FLYING TO THE LEFT: SERIAL NUMBERS LOOK BACKWARD IN YOUR FILE PHOTO...

Spitfire Mk.1a serial number(K9789)was the 8th Spitfire Mk.1 built and later assigned to No.19 Squadron RAF, Duxford "B" flight in July 1938. Aircraft carries the Type "A" wing and fuselage roundels,
Aircraft was flown by Squadron Leader Henry Cozens, CO of No.19 Squadron.

The first Spitfire Mk.1a were sent to No.19 Squadron the number 19 was later removed from fin after photo was taken.
K97989 survived World War II, and was later scrapped in 1945.

THE PRICE ISN'T RIGHT: STICKER SHOCK

In 1936 the RAF ordered 310 of the fighters for 1,395,000 pounds, that's in millions of pounds or 1,500 pounds per aircraft with cost overruns and technical delays in production and other problems, the price jumped to 1,820,000 pounds for the order of 310 fighters, or 9,500 pounds per aircraft.

FIRST OF THE MANY:

The Spitfire line of fighters came from one prototype, it was called the Supermarine type 300, the name Spitfire wasn't chosen for the new fighter, it was given the RAF serial number K5054.
The prototype had a two-blade propeller it was unpainted metal finish w/fabric control services, elevators and rudder.

FIRST FLIGHT:

Maiden flight took place on March 5, 1936 with Captain Joseph Summers at the controls and lasted 8 minutes. Even before the prototype flew, the RAF ordered 310 of the fighters, K5054 became the pattern for the Spitfire Mk.1.

The prototype was later painted in a light blue color used in an effort to reduce drag, for high-speed tests, later finished in a two-tone camouflage of dark green/dark earth
w/undersides in silver.
In September 1939, it was undergoing testing and crashed at the RAF's Royal Aircraft Establishment, located in Farmborugh, England

3.  Bill says:
12 Jan 2013 01:50:53 PM

BLACK & WHITE SPITFIRE:

By 1938 Spitfires of No.19 Squadron(F)RAF,
Duxford were given a quick identification scheme from 1939 to 1940. Many of the other Spitfire and Hurricane fighters were also painted the same.

Top camouflage of dark earth/dark green, undersides of the starboard(right)wing were painted white, the port(left)wing was painted black, the rest of the undersides were in aluninum.
The Spitfire was a very beautiful aircraft design, and looks more like a racing plane than a fighter.

4. JAWS699 says:
20 Dec 2014 02:36:57 PM

Spit MK 1a K9795 from the batch delivered to Duxford was test flown after battle damage repair sustained on 15 Oct.1940 (possibly with 222 Sqd.) This flight test was carried out by Flt.Lieut. W.S.Coates from 45MU Kinloss on 26 Feb 1941.
Info from Coates Log Book of that date.