Spitfire MkI

So many of the pictures available depict later Spits - often showing canon-equipped Spits in scenes clearly intended to evoke the Battle of Britain. Only one squadron had such Spitfires during the Battle and they ended up begging for their Browning .303s back as the cannons - correct in principle but under-developed for the Spitfire at that stage - kept on jamming. The Battle was fought by Mk1 and Mk11s as well as the much under-praised Hurricane which was the equipment of most of the squadrons. Let us not forget the very brave Boulton Paul Deviants and fighter Blenheim pilots who fought at a considerable disadvantage in unsuitable aircraft. Neither should we forget the bomber crews who gave their lives during the Battle by damaging Hitler's invasion fleet and attacking targets in Germany and France thus diverting resources away from the Battle.

Great art!