FighterControl

I have always thought that my favourite mk spit was the PR19 , a real thoroughbred. No guns needed just goes high and fast. That is to say that we did need the likes of the MK1 and 9, in company with Hurricanes. But what's you favourite...

Regards Keith

I'd agree, PR.XIX for me. Looks great, sounds awesome.

Strong second for the early PR variants purely from an interest point of view.

PR XIX every time for me

Awesome growl and classic Spitfire looks

Any of the teardrop canopied Griffon powered ones for me.

Mk. XIV, beautiful Spitfire !

Have to say my favourite is the MK 2a as in BBMF P7350. It is just a beautiful aircraft. That particular one's history makes it extra special to me. The PR variants are also among my favourite aircraft and must admit to liking any Spitfire or Hurricane including the Griffon engined variants.

Hard choice really

Chris

All of them I just love the Spitfire.

Hi Bogus68

I'm going to enjoy this thread... Spitfires

With 19 marks pruduced and 52 variants there are quite a few to choose a favourite from.

I'm with Unknown 74 really... all of them...but if I really had to choose then it would have to be the original Mk1A... as in N3200... with its black and white under wing scheme to help the Observer Corps recognise a friendly.

My second choice would be the Mk5 as flown by 303 sqn Polish Airforce.

The Spitfire is a pure flying legend... Not to take anything away from the Hurricane which was the work horse of the Battle of Britain and somewhat of an unsung hero... but the Spit... Wow...when Duxford puts up that 16 Spitfire scramble with tail chase... it sends shivers up my spine and fills me with administration for those brave and gallant pilots we owe our freedom to.

Lest We Forget.

Thanks again Bogus68 ... I look forward to reading more about our Fcers favorite Spittys.

Regards.

T1

Spitfire MkI by Andrew Kitney, on Flickr


So many to chose from, but the MkI is rather special, looks superb and iconic for what it represents. My photo from Duxford in 2017.

Have to say it’s the Mk IX for me. From the day it arrived the Spitfire could match or better anything in the sky, until suddenly the arrival of the FW190 put it firmly in 2nd place, much to the shock of the pilots and a potential major dent in operations. Therefore the fact that it was updated reasonably “easily” and quickly using mostly original mk5 airframes, to become a match for or in fact a better fighter than the FW190 to me really proves what a magnificent design the plane was. Also as nice as the PR versions are, for me it’s a fighter and so my favourite will have to contain guns! Have to finally confess though, that I still love the Hurricane. Yes it’s not as pretty, but something about it, perhaps being the underdog, and maybe it just looks more purposeful, in that its not as pleasing on the eye versus the Spit but does looks like it was designed for a punch up rather than to perform aerobatics!!

Anything from the Merlin era.

I used to totally think Merlin.

but then i fell in love with this...

IMG_9220 by Andy Heap, on Flickr

300b (69) by Andy Heap, on Flickr

300b (68) by Andy Heap, on Flickr

300b (67) by Andy Heap, on Flickr

408 (2b) by Andy Heap, on Flickr

Great pictures guys... but those Mk1s are just beautiful

T1

I have to admit, I'm torn between the MkI/ IIa and the Mk IX for the dream sound, but the Griffon sound is the sound of power. However I love them all!!

Personally I'd vote for the Mark IV with the 1296 cc inline-four cylinder engine.

Chris

Always liked a XII myself, classic shape with a beast of an engine upfront. Maybe heresy for some, but also partial to a clipped wing...

Always had a soft spot for the Mk VB or VC and to make you all recoil in horror the clipped wing version too

For me it would be Mk IX ML417 because I got to sit in it at Duxford

ALL beautiful,but i am with those who said the recce version,apart from anything else the guts it took to fly huge distances over enemy territory just relying on altitude and speed to keep them"safe".