Where is the fuselage on a spitfire

You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. High-resolution TIFF. High-resolution JPEG x Screen Image. Thumbnail Image. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. View Manifest. View in Mirador Viewer. The Supermarine Spitfire is a legend in British air history. With the Hawker Hurricane, it successfully defended England against the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain, and throughout the war it saw service on every major front.

Performance and handling were superb. The Mk. Highlighted in this image are the propellers of the Supermarine Spitfire HF. Highlighted in this image is the cockpit of the Supermarine Spitfire HF. Highlighted in this image is the fuselage of the Supermarine Spitfire HF.

Highlighted in this image are the vertical stabilizer and horizontal stabilizer of the Supermarine Spitfire HF.

Highlighted in this image is a tire of the Supermarine Spitfire HF. Highlighted in this image is the landing gear of the Supermarine Spitfire HF. Highlighted in this image is the wing of the Supermarine Spitfire HF. Supermarine Spitfire F. VIIc single seat, low wing monoplane high altitude fighter; enclosed cockpit; aluminum monocoque stressed skin elliptical wing with wingtip extension and fuselage; fabric covered aluminum control surfaces; pressurized cockpit; grey green camouflage top surface paint scheme with dove grey underside; red and blue national roundel on upper wing surface and red, white, and blue roundel lower wing surface; red, white, blue, and yellow roundel fuselage sides; red, white and blue tail flash; Armament, 2: 20mm Hispano cannons and Browning machine guns; Rolls-Royce Merlin 61, liquid cooled V, fitted with two-speed two-stage supercharger providing 1, hp.

In all, 20, Spitfires were built. The Spitfire was the end product of many years of design development at the Supermarine works at Woolston, England. There, Reginald J. Mitchell designed racers to enter in the Schneider Trophy Races, with the British government subsidizing the project.

Interest in high-speed competition flying lagged, but Mitchell continued to work on his designs. His seaplane racers gave way to landplane designs, incorporating such new features as an enclosed cockpit, retractable undercarriage, and the new Rolls Royce PV liquid-cooled engine later named the Merlin.

With these elements, he increased the endurance and speed of his planes. The British government was now issuing specifications for fighter aircraft, which reflected its watchful eye on political developments in Germany. When a specification was issued for a fighter with eight instead of the usual four machine guns installed, Mitchell was ready with the design for the Supermarine Type It surpassed Air Ministry requirements and was accepted. Another specification was written for the construction of the prototype.

After official trials at Martlesham Heath, a specification covering further development of the Spitfire was drawn up. On June 3,, an order for planes was placed by the Air Ministry. Mitchell did not live to see his Spitfire reach production; he died of cancer on June 11,, at the age of forty-two.

But the groundwork had now been established, and J. Smith, his chief draftsman, took his place as chief designer.

The first squadron to be re-equipped with the new Spitfires was No. When war with Germany was declared, Spitfires were already in service and 2, were on order. Nine fighter squadrons were completely equipped with Spitfires; two more were being converted to the fighters. The Spitfire was an all-metal cantilever monoplane. The shape of the wing, which became its most distinguishing characteristic, was elliptical, reducing drag and increasing speed.

Even while the first deliveries were being made, improvements were being introduced. It has also been immortalised by modelmakers Airfix and Revell. John Tomlin, from Historics at Brooklands, said: "The historical side of war birds is an up-and-coming market. There are now about 42 flying Spitfires and this seems to be increasing ever year. New Spitfire squadron being built.

Firing a gun after 70 years in a bog. Historics At Brooklands. The Spitfire has been immortalised by modelmakers Airfix and Revell. Published 1 January