James Holland gives us an exclusive look at the Mk 1 Supermarine Spitfire

If you have any interest in aviation history then you are going to love this exclusive look at the iconic Mk 1 Supermarine Spitfire with James Holland, author of RAF 100: The Official Story. Here he takes us on a tour of this incredible aircraft and gets behind the myth of its unique design.
Discover more in his incredible book: bit.ly/2I5gCVc
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[@EricIrl]

That particular aircraft is absolutely gorgeous. It is largely a restoration but is based on the wreckage of a Spitfire which crash landed on the beach at Dunkirk in May 1940 - so it originally didn't survive long enough to fight in the Battle of Britain. It has been restored to an absolutely authentic early 1940 standard.

[@insertsomethingfunnyhere]

I sat in that plane yesterday

[@nicolahocking5981]

I absolutely love spitfires and lots of other planes , such stunning planes and wonderful to see fly. X

[@ploppysonofploppy6066]

Can't disagree with a word Holland says, I've a great respect for his work.
There's a charm about aircraft of this period that's never been matched.
Nothing beats the Mosquito, however.

[@mrkeogh]

The red "tape" covers the gun ports so that they didn't freeze over at high altitude.

[@pb5x5]

Also mud or anything else that may get thrown up on take off.

[@MyAddad]

Shenstone worked for Junkers before the war and elliptical wings were common knowledge in the aviation world.... It's was no surprise that the Spitfire had such a wing, lots of other high speed aircraft did...... Dishing Mitchell though is completely out of order...... Without all the Seaplane experience that he gained along with Rolls Royce the Spitfire might not of existed...... Don't forget the Spit and the Merlin were both private ventures....... The experts didn't want them......

[@flypawels]

I ♥️ Spitfires!!!

[@Idahoguy10157]

The world’s most beautiful aircraft by consensus. The savior of the Battle of Britain. That part’s a myth. The Spitfires made up 1/3 of British BoB fighters

[@pb5x5]

Most where Hurricanes as quicker to build.

[@Idahoguy10157]

@@pb5x5 …. Hurricanes were also quicker to repair. However the Hurricane was slower than the Spitfire

[@joeshields2937]

If that's a 1940 model shouldn't it have a 4 blade propeller as the ones used in the Battle of Britain ?

[@andrewwaller5913]

No, Mk I, II, IV and V Spitfires all had 3 bladed propellers so it is correct.