Supermarine Spitfire Supermarine Spitfire The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force and other Allied countries before, during, and after World War II. Many variants of the Spitfire were built, using several wing configurations, and it was produced in greater numbers than any other British aircraft. It was also the only British fighter produced continuously throughout the war. The Spitfire continues to be popular among enthusiasts; nearly 60 remain airworthy, and many more are static exhibits in aviation museums throughout the world. The Spitfire was designed as a short-range, high-performance interceptor aircraft by R. J.
British military aircraft designation systems by Manufacturer Name and Specification Number. If accepted they would get a service name. For example, the "Fairey 6/22"; this being the 6th specification issued in the year 1922 that was accepted as the "Fairey Flycatcher". Later, a preceding letter was added to the Specification Number to identify the type of aircraft; e.g. the "Bristol B.28/35", a bomber aircraft, the 28th specification of the year 1935, which would become the Bristol Blenheim. From about 1910, the largest single designer of aircraft for the British Army's Royal Flying Corps was the Royal Aircraft Factory. The Royal Aircraft Factory designated its types