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JeffroK -> Happy Birthday!! (3/3/2016 5:33:25 AM)
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"At 4.30pm on 5th March 1936 the prototype Supermarine Spitfire piloted by "Mutt" Summers took off on its maiden flight from Eastleigh Aerodrome, Southampton, heralding a new era in the history of the RAF and in aircraft design. The Spitfire was revolutionary for its day and it was R.J Mitchell, whose experience in high speed aircraft design through the Schneider Trophy seaplanes, who brought together all the technological advances it incorporated.
Mitchell continued to refine the aircraft's design until his untimely death in 1937, with this design evolution eventually ran to twenty four different marks powered by both the Rolls Royce Merlin and Griffon engines. Point defence interceptor, fighter bomber, high altitude unarmed reconnaissance aircraft, bomber escort and more, the Spitfire flew with over thirty six air arms from its introduction with No.19 Squadron RAF at Duxford in 1938 until its withdrawal in June 1957.
Even then it was not over as a Spitfire flew trials against the supersonic English Electric Lightning jet fighter in 1962. Gaining its legendary status during the Battle of Britain, the Spitfire flew on every continent and in combat theatres throughout Europe, Russia, The Mediterranean, China/Burma/India and the Pacific.
The RAAF operated over 650 Mk.V and Mk.VIII Spitfires in the defence of Australia and through the North Western areas against Japanese forces. Australian household names such as Bobby Gibbes, Clive Caldwell and Bluey Truscott all flew the Spitfire on operations both in Australia and overseas.
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