The Supermarine Spitfire was designed by RJ Mitchell as a formidable attacking weapon in the war torn skies. Prototypes first flew in March 1936 and the aircraft went into full production in 1938. The last working Spitfire may have retired in 1961, but this plane has never been forgotten and never will, thanks to the very deep pockets and determination of classic aviation fans.
Out of over 20,000 built, (many of which were assembled at the Cowley Plant in West Bromwich), there are only around 50 airworthy examples left today. And yes, every time one of these fabulous World War Two fighters takes to the skies, those lucky enough to see it by chance are bound to stop, stare in sheer admiration with a proud smile on their face.
Even those too young to remember what it was like in wartime Britain will know all about this famous aircraft. After all, you don't have to be an RAF veteran to have a lump in your throat when you hear the throaty purr of that finely tuned Rolls Royce Merlin engine. Many agree she simply epitomises the bravery of those who fought (with many paying the ultimate price) for freedom.
Of course, the Spitfire wasn't alone. There were also the Hurricanes, the tough workhorses of the skies. Each plane played a vital role in the Battle of Britain that raged over the British and French coastline between July and October 1940, and this critical point in World War Two is still remembered today with the BoB Memorial Flight, that most commonly sees the trio of the Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire fly regularly together.
However, for us mere mortals, flying in a Spitfire is pretty much impossible. There are a handful of two seaters around the world (they are actually converted MkIXs), but in the UK there are strict CAA regulations about paid passenger flights and at a cost of between £3000 and £5000 per hour in the air, this sort of experience is nigh on impossible.
But this doesn't mean you can't get up close to these wonderful aeroplanes. With Spitfire flights and visits for all budgets, whether you go for the chance to tour the Heritage Hanger where the dedicated and quite frankly ridiculously talented team strips down and lovingly restores warbirds, or you go for the full monty experience with a personal Spitfire flying display (how cool is that!?), we are sure you'll be captivated and moved by the day you met the Spit.