The Bf 109, in its initial avatars, was generally regarded as marginally superior to contemporaneous variants of the Spitfire. At low to medium altitudes, where much of the air combat in the early war occurred, the Bf 109 had the upper hand. However, the Spitfire was superior at higher altitudes.
It was named after the daughter of the manufacturer’s chairman. The Spitfire’s name is often assumed to derive from its ferocious firing capabilities. But it likely owes just as much to Sir Robert McLean’s pet name for his young daughter, Ann, who he called “the little spitfire”.
What was the German equivalent of the Spitfire?
Messerschmitt Bf 109 E
What does Supermarine mean?
Supermarine was a British aircraft manufacturer that produced the Spitfire fighter plane during World War II, a range of seaplanes and flying boats, and a series of jet-powered fighter aircraft after World War II.
Why was the Spitfire called Supermarine?
It was named after the daughter of the manufacturer’s chairman. The Spitfire’s name is often assumed to derive from its ferocious firing capabilities. But it likely owes just as much to Sir Robert McLean’s pet name for his young daughter, Ann, who he called “the little spitfire”.
Which is better Spitfire or Mustang?
In most cases, the Spitfire had better performance as an all-purpose fighter. . However, the P51D was generally more specialized than the Spitfire. In it’s main role, the Mustang proved itself as a superb escort fighter in Allied bombing raids over Germany.
How long did it take to build a Spitfire in the war?
The complexity of the Spitfire’s design translated into its production time. The Spitfire took 13,000 man-hours to produce,1 two-and-a-half times as long to make as a Hurricane. It took the Germans 4,000 man-hours to make the equivalent Messerschmitt Bf 109.
How much is a spitfire worth today?
1 Spitfires still able to fly today has sold for a record amount at Christie’s auctions. The gavel fell at £3,106,500 (US$4,784,010) on the painstakingly restored RAF Spitfire P9374, far exceeding pre-auction estimates of £2.5m.
Was the Spitfire the fastest plane in ww2?
Supermarine Spitfire The propeller plane’s elliptical wing helped it achieve higher speeds than its contemporaries and made it a fierce competitor in combat. The plane reached it’s record speed of 606 mph at a 45-degree dive in 1943; it was later estimated to have reached 690 mph in a dive following the war in 1952.
Are German planes better than Spitfires?
The Stuka had made its reputation in the Blitzkrieg under conditions of German air supremacy. It was far less fearsome with Spitfires and Hurricanes on its tail. The Stuka’s top speed was 230 mph (compared to more than 350 for the Spitfire), and it was even slower and more vulnerable when diving to deliver bombs.
How fast was a ww2 Spitfire?
Capable of top speeds of 440 miles (710 km) per hour and ceilings of 40,000 feet (12,200 metres), these were used to shoot down V-1 “buzz bombs.” During World War II, Spitfires were exported in small numbers to Portugal, Turkey, and the Soviet Union, and they were flown by the U.S. Army Air Forces in Europe.
Was the Spitfire a good plane?
The Spitfire’s original design made it incredibly adaptable which meant there were constant alterations and changes to make it the most successful fighter in the sky. Throughout the duration of the Second World War, 24 marks of the Spitfire were produced, each of these with multiple variations.
Is Luftwaffe better than RAF?
The RAF proved to be a better combat force than the Luftwaffe in almost every respect. The decisive factors were British capability and determination, but German mistakes, before and during the battle, contributed significantly to the outcome.
What was the German air force called in the Battle of Britain?
Luftwaffe
Why were the Luftwaffe unable to defeat the RAF?
Low aircraft production In July 1940, for example, Britain produced 496 new single-engine fighters, while the figure for the Luftwaffe was just 240. It was a ratio that only worsened as the battle progressed. Complacency, shortage of materials, and increasingly chaotic staff procurement were to blame.
What is the German air force called now?
The term Luftwaffe that is used for both the historic and the current German air force is the German-language generic designation of any air force.
Does Supermarine still exist?
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