What was so special about the Spitfire?

The Spitfire’s famous elliptical wing with sunken rivets to have the thinnest possible cross-section gave the aircraft a higher top speed than most other fighters of the time. These wings also made the Spitfire one of the most agile fighters in the sky, giving them the advantage with one-on-one battles.

Which was the better plane Hurricane or Spitfire?

The Spitfire and Bf 109E were well-matched in speed and agility, and both were somewhat faster than the Hurricane. However, the slightly larger Hurricane was regarded as an easier aircraft to fly and was effective against Luftwaffe bombers.

What was the difference between a Spitfire and a Hurricane?

Both aircraft are the same height, with the Hurricane being only mildly longer and wider. The Spitfire is noticeably faster than the Hurricane, although, sacrifices range for speed. On top of this, the Spitfire has a slightly higher service ceiling, although, this doesn’t make much of a difference.

Why is it called a Spitfire?

It was named after the daughter of the manufacturer’s chairman. The Spitfire’s name is often assumed to derive from its ferocious firing capabilities. But it likely owes just as much to Sir Robert McLean’s pet name for his young daughter, Ann, who he called “the little spitfire”.

Was the Spitfire the best plane in ww2?

The Spitfire is most likely the most famous aircraft from the World War II era. It was the king of low-altitudes, it will be known forever as the plane that turned the tide in the Battle of Britain. In the Battle of Britain, the Spitfire gained fame by having the highest victory-to-loss ratio among British aircraft.

Was the Spitfire any good?

The Spitfire was so good because it had enormous development potential. It was a top of the line fighter from 1939 all the way through to 1945, except for a brief period when the FW 190 was introduced. In the BoB it excelled as a short range interceptor, which is exactly what it was designed as.

Why are Spitfire wings elliptical?

the elliptic wing: “…the real advantage of the elliptical wing turned out to be its low induced drag at very high altitudes, such altitudes not having been considered during the design, but realised during the war, helping to keep Spitfire in the front line during rapid development under Joe Smith.

Why did they clip the wings of the Spitfire?

Shortening the wings lowered the effective altitude of the Spitfire but increased the roll rate, making it more maneuverable at lower altitudes. Clipped wings were not the only alteration made to the Spitfire wing shape. Extended tips were also used for high-altitude performance.

What happened to Spitfires after the war?

After just over a month of digging for lost World War Two Spitfire planes in Burma they have concluded that none exists. “No Spitfires were delivered in crates and buried at RAF Mingaladon (in Burma) during 1945 and 1946,” a statement from the company funding the search read.

What was the best fighter plane in World War 2?

Focke-Wulf Fw-190 was one of the best fighters of all time with a reach speed of 600mph. This single-engine fighter was widely used in the World War 2. It was superior to any other plane until the debut of the Spitfire . The FW-190 was highly effective and feared by the allied bomber formations.

What was the best bomber in World War 2?

Russian bombers Petlyakov 2 (11400) – The best Russian bomber in World War 2, it was something between the British Mosquito and the German Stuka . Ilyushin 4 (10000) – Russia’s main long range bomber. Tupolev SB2 (6600) – a pre-war light day bomber, since 1943 it was used as night bomber to reduce its heavy losses.

When was the Spitfire made?

The Spitfire is one of the most famous aircraft ever built. Reginald J Mitchell , an engineer from Staffordshire, developed the aircraft in 1936, basing the design on seaplanes. The Spitfire had a very aerodynamic shape, and early variants were fitted with the successful Rolls-Royce Merlin engine.

What is the World War 2 all about?

World War II, also called Second World War, conflict that involved virtually every part of the world during the years 1939–45. The principal belligerents were the Axis powers—Germany, Italy, and Japan—and the Allies—France, Great Britain , the United States, the Soviet Union, and, to a lesser extent, China.