early Merlin-powered Spitfire

Supermarine Spitfire variants powered by early model Rolls-Royce Merlin engines mostly utilised single-speed, single-stage superchargers. The British Supermarine Spitfire was the only Allied fighter aircraft of the Second World War to fight in front line service from the beginnings of the conflict, in September 1939, through to the end in August 1945. Post-war, the Spitfire's service career continued into the 1950s. The basic airframe proved to be extremely adaptable, capable of taking far more powerful engines and far greater loads than its original role as a short-range interceptor had called for. This would lead to 19 marks of Spitfire and 52 sub-variants being produced throughout the Second World War, and beyond. The many changes were made in order to fulfil Royal Air Force requirements and to successfully engage in combat with ever-improving enemy aircraft. With the death of the original designer, Reginald J. Mitchell, in June 1937, all variants of the Spitfire were designed by his successor, Joseph Smith, and a team of engineers and draftsmen.

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Wikimedia, Wikidata
Merlin-powered early Spitfire; Spitfire Merlin; Supermarine Spitfire (early Merlin-powered variants); Supermarine Spitfire Merlin
Supermarine Spitfire, Supermarine, 
Albatros D, Avions Fairey Firefly, Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck, Boeing 248, Consolidated P-30, CR.20, Firefly II, LFG Roland D, MB-3, Shenyang J-5, Spitfire II, Spitfire V, Spitfire VI, Supermarine Spitfire, 

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Location: KML, Cluster Map, Maps,

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  Spitfire II ⓘ
  1940 fighter aircraft series by Supermarine

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  Spitfire V ⓘ
  1941 fighter aircraft series by Supermarine

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  Spitfire VI ⓘ
  1941 fighter aircraft model by Supermarine

Frameless

Air Ministry Second World War Official Collection CH1446

Supermarine Spitfire Mark Is of No. 610 Squadron based at Biggin Hill, flying in 'vic' formation, 24 July 1940. CH740

Aircraft of the Royal Air Force, 1939-1945- Supermarine Spitfire. CH1451

Royal Air Force Fighter Command, 1939-1945. CH2538

RAF Fighter Command 1940 HU104503

RAF Fighter Command 1940 HU104504

Aircraft of the Royal Air Force, 1939-1945- Supermarine Spitfire. CH1447

19sqdn-spit1-1

RAF Fighter Command 1940 HU104509

Formation of No.19 Squadron RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Is in 1938 over Cambridgeshire

Type	Subtype	Date	Description	Notes	Source
class	aircraft		Spitfire II	early Merlin-powered Spitfire	Wikidata
class	aircraft		Spitfire V	early Merlin-powered Spitfire	Wikidata
class	aircraft		Spitfire VI	early Merlin-powered Spitfire	Wikidata
commons	image		Air Ministry Second World War Official Collection CH1446		Commons
commons	image		Supermarine Spitfire Mark Is of No. 610 Squadron based at Biggin Hill, flying in 'vic' formation, 24 July 1940. CH740		Commons
commons	image		Aircraft of the Royal Air Force, 1939-1945- Supermarine Spitfire. CH1451		Commons
commons	image		Royal Air Force Fighter Command, 1939-1945. CH2538		Commons
commons	image		RAF Fighter Command 1940 HU104503		Commons
commons	image		RAF Fighter Command 1940 HU104504		Commons
commons	image		Aircraft of the Royal Air Force, 1939-1945- Supermarine Spitfire. CH1447		Commons
commons	image		19sqdn-spit1-1		Commons
commons	image		RAF Fighter Command 1940 HU104509		Commons
commons	image		Formation of No.19 Squadron RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Is in 1938 over Cambridgeshire		Commons