Is the Spitfire the most inspiring, beautifully designed aeroplane ever to take to the skies?

Reginald Mitchell designed it, bringing the sleek lines of international racing machines to the RAF fighter.

The prototype ‘Supermarine’ first flew in 1936. By the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, nine RAF squadrons were equipped with the new plane, now renamed ‘Spitfire’. The Air Ministry liked the more aggressive name.

The distinctive silhouette, with its elliptical wings, and the deep-throated roar of its Rolls-Royce Merlin engine made it the most recognisable fighter plane of the Second World War.

Mitchell died before he saw his famous machine in action. His assistant Joe Smith took over the design team and introduced numerous modifications throughout the War, finally pushing its top speed to 725kmph (450mph). The Spitfire’s original eight Browning machine guns were reduced to four, with two 20mm cannons.

Over 22,000 Spitfires were manufactured and there are still about 50 restored ‘Spits’ flying today.