Supermarine Spitfire is probably the most famous British fighter from the Second World War. It was an all-metal machine with a low wing configuration, characteristic elliptical wings, a classic tail and a retractable landing gear. The prototype flight took place on March 5, 1936. The Spitfire proved to be the RAF's staple of the war, which continued to do well after the war, remaining in production for 10 years. The history of the Spitfire began on the drawing desk of RJ Mitchell, Supermarine's lead designer. The first machines went to RAF units in 1938, but when the Battle of Britain began in the summer of 1940, there were already 19 squadrons of modern fighters at the airfields - together with the slightly older Hurricanes of the Islands, 600 aircraft were defending. With the expansion of hostilities, the Spitfire served wherever the RAF operated in the Far East, North Africa and Italy, during the Normandy landings and fighting in France, and finally during the operation in Germany in 1945. For many Britons, he became a symbol of victory in World War II. This wonderful machine has at least a dozen production versions. The most important of them are, among others the first mass-produced Spitfire Mk.I powered by a 1030hp Rolls-Royce Merlin II engine. It was above all this machine that made such an excellent contribution to the Battle of Britain. Many versions of this model have been developed, including PR Mk IA (reconnaissance version) or PR.IG (armed reconnaissance version). Another interesting version was the Spitfire Mk.V with a Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 engine with 1440HP. Later, Merlin 50 engines were also assembled. Serial production of this version started in 1941 and was the RAF's response to the appearance of the Messerschmitt Bf-109F. Another very successful version is the Spitfire Mk.IX, powered by a Merlin 61 engine with a 4-blade propeller. It was created as an opponent to the Focke-Wulf Fw-190 and was put into production at the end of 1941. This version was modified many times and, for example, in 1944 it got a new gyro sight, an enlarged rudder or a different wing system. Another major version is the Spitfire Mk.XIV with a Rolls-Royce Griffon 61 engine and a five-bladed propeller. Serial production started in October 1943. One of the last series produced was the Mk.21 version. This version had a Griffon 61 engine, a strongly reinforced structure and sheathing, the wings were extended, increasing their flying surface. Mass production started in March 1945. Technical data (Mk.XIV version): length: 9.14m, wingspan: 11.23m, height: 3.05m, maximum speed: 717km / h, rate of climb: 18.5m / s, practical ceiling: 13,200m, range maximum: 1815 km, armament: fixed - 4 7.7mm machine guns and 2 20mm Hispano Mk II cannons, suspended - up to 225 kg of bombs.
Пилотирана версия на ракетата V1, Fieseler Fi 103R Reichenberg IV, предназначена за самоубийствени атаки срещу съюзнически самолети и избрани цели. Програмата за самоубийствени полети е планирана да бъде осъществена в края на войната през 1945 г. Официално германските военни власти са използвали термина "таран", но възможността пилотът да бъде изваден от ракетата на практика не е съществувал, поради високата скорост и факта, че капакът на кабината се намира точно под реактивния двигател вход, допълнително накланящ се само на 45 градуса, което направи невъзможно бързото спускане на ракетата.кабината от пилота и кацане на парашут. Обучени са общо 70 пилоти и са произведени 175 машини Fieseler Fi 103R Reichenberg IV, но практическото им приложение на бойното поле така и не е постигнато. Самата ракета Fieseler Fi 103R Reichenberg IV беше почти идентична с японската Yokosuka MXY7 Okha, използвана от японски пилоти самоубийци, с тази разлика, че кабината на японския пилот беше завинтена, предотвратявайки напускането на ракетата по време на полет, докато пилотската кабина в Германската ракета даваше теоретичен шанс за бягство, въпреки че на практика не беше осъществима. Спецификации: Дължина: 8м, размах на крилата: 5,72м, максимална скорост: 800 км/ч, максимален обхват: 330 км.