The legendary plane, the Supermarine Spitfire, designed by engineer Reginald Mitchell based on results obtained with the racing seaplanes that won the Schneider Trophy, made its maiden flight on 5 March 1936. Able to reach 562 km/h at 5,000 m altitude, its performance was exceptional for the time. On 4 August 1938 the first planes of the series went into service.
Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk. XVI
The Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk. XVI features a Packard Merlin 266 1,720 hp engine.
- Envergure : 11.23 m
- Longueur : 9.45 m
- Hauteur : 4.25 m
- Surface alaire : 22.48 m²
- Masse en charge : 3400 kg
- Vitesse maximale : 643 km/h
- Plafond pratique : 12997 m
- Distance franchissable : 1575 km
- Armement : 2 x 20 mm cannons; 4 x 7.5 mm machine guns; 450 kg of bombs World War II Hall
Great War Hall
1939-1945
A myth
A hero of the Battle of Britain, it fought on all fronts until the end of World War II in versions that were constantly being improved. Production stopped in October 1947 with a total of 20,351 planes in addition to 2,408 Seafires for the Navy.
The growth in performance was impressive: in ten years the maximum speed increased to 730 km/h, the rate of climb went from 760 to 1,500 m/min and weight increased from 2,400 kg to 4,500 kg.
The Free French Air Forces
The Mk XVI version is equivalent to the Mk IX, but it has an engine and various equipment that were produced under license in the United States.
This version fought in the Free French Air Forces units in 1945.
The plane on display at the Museum
The aircraft on display at the Museum is the RR263. It was donated to France by the British government to honour the members of the French Air Force.
It was repainted in the colours of the plane of Adjt. Charasse of the no. 340 “Ile de France” Squadron.
