Mar 5 1936

From The Space Library

Spitfire prototype with armament and Merlin engine first flown. production of the Spitfire Mark I beginning at Supermarine factory in early 1937. Spitfire's classic design was work of R. J. Mitchell, responsible for the Supermarine racing seaplanes which first won the Schneider Trophy for Great Britain in 1931. 18,298 Merlin-engined Spitfires of all Marks were built by 1945.