Issue 3 - Supermarine Spitfire: Editors Introduction
By: Web Editor
“I have often wondered who the genius was who christened it Spitfire. It was a name that resounded round the free world in those dark days of Hitler’s tyranny, and perfectly symbolized the mood of Britain’s defence.”
Jarrod Cotter, Editor
Powerful words from Sir Douglas Bader’s book Fight for the Sky, in which he later also wrote: “…in the dark days of the German domination of Europe, the word ‘Spitfire’ became synonymous with eventual freedom to the citizens of the occupied countries across the English Channel and North Sea. It was a symbol that good would triumph over evil.”
Perhaps these two brief extracts from one of the best-known fighter aces of World War Two help to explain why the Spitfire became such a famous British icon. But of course in his book Douglas Bader also sings the praises and traces the service of the Hurricane – which along with the Spitfire bore the brunt of the defence of Great Britain as the RAF went up again and again as massed waves of Luftwaffe bombers and fighters tried to gain air superiority, ready for a planned German invasion of southern England in summer 1940.
As 2010 progresses there will be many moving commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Spitfires and Hurricanes will be in great demand at airshows, and the remaining ‘Few’ will rightly be shown great respect wherever they are in attendance.
It is the Spitfire that we focus on in this issue of Aviation Classics; that most quintessential of British fighters. Within these pages numerous aspects of its story are covered, including: the Supermarine racing floatplanes for which monoplane technology was advanced; the very first example of the breed; the type’s arrival into RAF service; combat in the Battle of Britain; fighter sweeps to occupied France; its conversion to the photo recce role and for Naval operations; and even its part in the formation of the RAF’s commemorative unit.
We also feature a selection of the world’s Spitfire warbirds, including some from as far afield as Australia and New Zealand, and get a behind-the-scenes look inside a UK workshop from which some of the finest Spitfire restorations have emerged and which is currently in the process of restoring a Mk.I to its authentic early configuration – a sight not seen in the air for around 70 years.
But of course the story of any aeroplane is not complete without looking at the people involved. RJ Mitchell, Douglas Bader, ‘Johnnie’ Johnson, Alex Henshaw, Geoffrey Wellum, Al Deere and ‘Sailor’ Malan all feature in this issue, and while not a complete list it does offer a cross-section of personalities and influences.
Having thoroughly enjoyed compiling the content of the first three editions of Aviation Classics looking at some of the best-known types from World War Two, I decided that the time is now right to put together one of the ‘surprises’ I mentioned to you in my previous editorial. Therefore, for the next issue we will turn the clock back to World War One, when military aviation was still in its infancy and aerial combat was a new concept of war. I am really looking forward to working on the exciting features that are planned.
Meanwhile, I do hope you enjoy the contents within this issue as we look at RJ Mitchell’s masterpiece and would like to again thank all of you who have supported Aviation Classics and sent in such kind and encouraging words about the series so far.
Jarrod CotterEditor
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Current Issue: The Hawker Hurricane
Two UK fighters have gone from being mere machines to become icons. The first is the Supermarine Spitfire, the second is the subject of the next issue of Aviation Classics... the Hawker Hurricane.
Designed by Sydney Camm, it represented the bridge between biplane and monoplane technology and was originally known as the ’Monoplane Fury’, after the Fury biplane fighter of 1931. The type formed the backbone of RAF Fighter Command, with 18 squadrons in service when the Second World War began in September 1939. Hurricanes saw action over France and the Low Countries before the Battle of Britain began in June 1940, during which they were to shoot down more enemy aircraft than all the other air and ground defences put together. Later, it went on the offensive in Europe – as a night intruder and fighter bomber. Large numbers fought over Malta, the Western Desert, Burma, India and the Far East, excelling as fighters and ground attack aircraft. All over the world the Hurricane earned a reputation for reliability and toughness. This issue tells the story of the Hurricane and its crews from inception to war career.
PLUS:
• Next issue on sale: 25th May 2012
