How The Spitfire Became An Aviation Masterpiece The Birth Of A Legend Timeline
video description
Date: 2022-07-19
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 20
Jamie
I remember when father used to interview WW2 and Korean War Veterans, even from communist states. No one uses their input in these modern 'historically accurate simulations'. not. Interesting point from physics perspective. Usually the more agile an aircraft the more unstable it has to be if left hands off stick. What made the Spitfire unique was the opposite, and yet my engineering brothers still haven't learnt why. The Spit was in fact so easy to learn and master, that's what made it invaluable in the Battle of Britain when instead of 30 hours of flight time, you might have 3, and average life span a couple of weeks, not enough time to learn from mistakes. in books like Aces and Aces Talk especially test pilots and those like American volunteers through Canada who flew both RAF and US best planes universally chose the Spit over Mustang or Thunderbolt all as most important to the war effort. I can't recall his name, Polish name, US ace flew with RAF, wrote how if we had the P51D with spit engine instead of Spit 4 years early we would have lost the Battle of Britain thus the war.
Anyone else notice how the Spitfire design reminds one of a shark?
We used to go to air shows in US and Canada and my brothers would race out for this local crop duster who was veteran of the war and had is own collection. he would literally fit out one or the other to do disgusting Crop Dusting, I recall dad teaching us all how to tell Spit from P51D from Corsair and even his WW1 collection, a Spad and teh last Brit thing, damn, geting old, memory.
I recall how especially Japanese and Korean vets of WW2 would shed tears in interviews, forbidden to have Memorial DAy or speak of their experience, they so welcomed dad and his fellow researchers. Today our 'feminazi' schools are forbidding school trips to Legion Halls, Veterans and Museums during Memorial Day, another 'women's day of some kind. Sad. I hope some of you got to honour those people now passed on before they died. Men haven't been respected since the late 60s. You deserve better, only if you fight for yourselves.
reply
I remember when father used to interview WW2 and Korean War Veterans, even from communist states. No one uses their input in these modern 'historically accurate simulations'. not. Interesting point from physics perspective. Usually the more agile an aircraft the more unstable it has to be if left hands off stick. What made the Spitfire unique was the opposite, and yet my engineering brothers still haven't learnt why. The Spit was in fact so easy to learn and master, that's what made it invaluable in the Battle of Britain when instead of 30 hours of flight time, you might have 3, and average life span a couple of weeks, not enough time to learn from mistakes. in books like Aces and Aces Talk especially test pilots and those like American volunteers through Canada who flew both RAF and US best planes universally chose the Spit over Mustang or Thunderbolt all as most important to the war effort. I can't recall his name, Polish name, US ace flew with RAF, wrote how if we had the P51D with spit engine instead of Spit 4 years early we would have lost the Battle of Britain thus the war.
Anyone else notice how the Spitfire design reminds one of a shark?
We used to go to air shows in US and Canada and my brothers would race out for this local crop duster who was veteran of the war and had is own collection. he would literally fit out one or the other to do disgusting Crop Dusting, I recall dad teaching us all how to tell Spit from P51D from Corsair and even his WW1 collection, a Spad and teh last Brit thing, damn, geting old, memory.
I recall how especially Japanese and Korean vets of WW2 would shed tears in interviews, forbidden to have Memorial DAy or speak of their experience, they so welcomed dad and his fellow researchers. Today our 'feminazi' schools are forbidding school trips to Legion Halls, Veterans and Museums during Memorial Day, another 'women's day of some kind. Sad. I hope some of you got to honour those people now passed on before they died. Men haven't been respected since the late 60s. You deserve better, only if you fight for yourselves.
reply
Nick
The Merlin XX incorporated a number of revisions based on early operational experience and the availability of 100 octane fuel from America.
It had been intended to utilise the evaporative cooling system but was replaced by the more reliable ethylene glycol liquid cooling system developed in the United States.
During the Battle of Britain it was discovered that the Merlin engine would cut out when pursing Me109s in a high speed bunt dive due to fuel starvation in the float controlled carburettor. Initial solutions involved inverting the aircraft into the dive and also the fitting a restrictor in the fuel supply line and a diaphragm known as Miss Shillings orifice, named after the female inventor (Beatrice Shilling) based at Farnborough at the Royal Aircraft Establishment. More permanent solutions involved moving the fuel outlet from the bottom of the carburettor to half way up and the use of fuel injection using a Stromberg (USA) pressure carburettor and finally an SU injection carburettor.
The Spitfire Society Merlin page
reply
The Merlin XX incorporated a number of revisions based on early operational experience and the availability of 100 octane fuel from America.
It had been intended to utilise the evaporative cooling system but was replaced by the more reliable ethylene glycol liquid cooling system developed in the United States.
During the Battle of Britain it was discovered that the Merlin engine would cut out when pursing Me109s in a high speed bunt dive due to fuel starvation in the float controlled carburettor. Initial solutions involved inverting the aircraft into the dive and also the fitting a restrictor in the fuel supply line and a diaphragm known as Miss Shillings orifice, named after the female inventor (Beatrice Shilling) based at Farnborough at the Royal Aircraft Establishment. More permanent solutions involved moving the fuel outlet from the bottom of the carburettor to half way up and the use of fuel injection using a Stromberg (USA) pressure carburettor and finally an SU injection carburettor.
The Spitfire Society Merlin page
reply
benjamin
I wonder what the outcome would have been at the battle of Britain. In 1929 Frank Whittle approached Alan Arnold Griffith. The Director of the air ministry laboratory with drawings and idea for the first ever jet engine. After being told his proposed idea as impossible, they wouldn't support the project. This stopped any chance of government funding reaching Whittle to start any development of jet. It was only when he found private backers could he patent the idea. Frank Whittle then started a company in 1936 to develop his jet. If the government had backed him from the start how different could the war had been.
reply
I wonder what the outcome would have been at the battle of Britain. In 1929 Frank Whittle approached Alan Arnold Griffith. The Director of the air ministry laboratory with drawings and idea for the first ever jet engine. After being told his proposed idea as impossible, they wouldn't support the project. This stopped any chance of government funding reaching Whittle to start any development of jet. It was only when he found private backers could he patent the idea. Frank Whittle then started a company in 1936 to develop his jet. If the government had backed him from the start how different could the war had been.
reply
Robert
Great documentary but an important part was left out. The engines cutting out during dives was solved by Beatrice (Tilly) Shilling. She saved a lot of lives but was forgotten in history
Miss Shilling's orifice was a very simple technical device made to counter engine cut-out in early Spitfire and Hurricane fighter aeroplanes during the Battle of Britain. While it was officially called the R. A. E. restrictor, it was referred to under various names, such as Miss Tilly's diaphragm or the Tilly orifice in reference to its inventor, Beatrice Tilly Shilling.
reply
Great documentary but an important part was left out. The engines cutting out during dives was solved by Beatrice (Tilly) Shilling. She saved a lot of lives but was forgotten in history
Miss Shilling's orifice was a very simple technical device made to counter engine cut-out in early Spitfire and Hurricane fighter aeroplanes during the Battle of Britain. While it was officially called the R. A. E. restrictor, it was referred to under various names, such as Miss Tilly's diaphragm or the Tilly orifice in reference to its inventor, Beatrice Tilly Shilling.
reply
63DW89A
WW2 aircraft have a special design quality that makes them stand out, even among modern jets. Top place in graceful, fluid design is the Spitfire, specifically the Spitfire MK IX. Ranking # 2 & 3 are the FW190A, and the P51B/C/D. Not only were these aircraft works of art in design, each was highly effective and made their mark on history. The most overlooked underappreciated aircraft are the Hawker Hurricane and the Grumman F4F Wildcat, each of which held the line and performed superbly, punching above their weight class!
reply
WW2 aircraft have a special design quality that makes them stand out, even among modern jets. Top place in graceful, fluid design is the Spitfire, specifically the Spitfire MK IX. Ranking # 2 & 3 are the FW190A, and the P51B/C/D. Not only were these aircraft works of art in design, each was highly effective and made their mark on history. The most overlooked underappreciated aircraft are the Hawker Hurricane and the Grumman F4F Wildcat, each of which held the line and performed superbly, punching above their weight class!
reply
Graham
Great aircraft but the wheels were too close together to be safe on take off and landing, the brakes were rubbish and the engine had no fuel injection. Instrumentation lacked a none toppling artificial horizon. Airframe was superior to the 109 which suffered from even worse undercarriage problems But I think the 109 engine was better than the early merlins. The P-51D cured all the Spitfires problems. In my opinion the Spitfire was nonetheless a legend of the sky.
reply
Great aircraft but the wheels were too close together to be safe on take off and landing, the brakes were rubbish and the engine had no fuel injection. Instrumentation lacked a none toppling artificial horizon. Airframe was superior to the 109 which suffered from even worse undercarriage problems But I think the 109 engine was better than the early merlins. The P-51D cured all the Spitfires problems. In my opinion the Spitfire was nonetheless a legend of the sky.
reply
Jean
The French ace Pierre Clostermann (33 kills) who served as a fighter pilot in the RAF used to say Spitfire had a feminine beauty. I agree, she is so gracious.
I look at those videos as often I can, ans I read as many books I can, and I happen to be surprised not to see the name of Richard Hillary whose The last Ennemy, is very moving. Great men, great aircraft, great History. Thank you for giving us this wonderful video.
(So sorry for my dreadful English.
reply
The French ace Pierre Clostermann (33 kills) who served as a fighter pilot in the RAF used to say Spitfire had a feminine beauty. I agree, she is so gracious.
I look at those videos as often I can, ans I read as many books I can, and I happen to be surprised not to see the name of Richard Hillary whose The last Ennemy, is very moving. Great men, great aircraft, great History. Thank you for giving us this wonderful video.
(So sorry for my dreadful English.
reply
Peter
it wasn't just the spitfire or Hurricane fighter aircraft. it was the whole attitude and resilience of the United Kingdom all people involved and working together that won this. from Belfast to Clydebank. from Liverpool and Manchester Coventry Birmingham Plymouth Bristol Southampton and cardiff all took the brunt of this war as bombs fell apon them. we got our act together we didn't surrender!
reply
it wasn't just the spitfire or Hurricane fighter aircraft. it was the whole attitude and resilience of the United Kingdom all people involved and working together that won this. from Belfast to Clydebank. from Liverpool and Manchester Coventry Birmingham Plymouth Bristol Southampton and cardiff all took the brunt of this war as bombs fell apon them. we got our act together we didn't surrender!
reply
Dean
after reading bobs book, the fighter pilot signed by him for my mother, i met bob at the doctors sugery one day, and thanked him for what he did for our country during the battle of britain, he just said to me, i guess you know who i am. i said yes, .i was at school with your daughter, who is now a commercial airline pilot. i shook the mans hand, WING COMMANDER ROBERT DOE < DFC AND BAR
reply
after reading bobs book, the fighter pilot signed by him for my mother, i met bob at the doctors sugery one day, and thanked him for what he did for our country during the battle of britain, he just said to me, i guess you know who i am. i said yes, .i was at school with your daughter, who is now a commercial airline pilot. i shook the mans hand, WING COMMANDER ROBERT DOE < DFC AND BAR
reply
Zulu4impi
In retrospect, looking at the Spitfire it evokes an emotional response. Half awe and half pride but wholly British. Dare say it was Ferrari of the air when many were driving VW Carmen Ghias. The Luftwaffe pilot perspective was insightful given we knew what the RAF pilots thought of their opponents.
Cheers. Grandson of
Cptn. J. J. Orr RAF reconnaissance South Africa
reply
In retrospect, looking at the Spitfire it evokes an emotional response. Half awe and half pride but wholly British. Dare say it was Ferrari of the air when many were driving VW Carmen Ghias. The Luftwaffe pilot perspective was insightful given we knew what the RAF pilots thought of their opponents.
Cheers. Grandson of
Cptn. J. J. Orr RAF reconnaissance South Africa
reply
Aries
Well the Spitfire was a great air frame doing what it did best.
well right up till the end of the Battle of Britain
Then it faded into obscurity with the introduction of the P 51 mustang.
no way you can compare one against the other.
Same engine, but way, way different outcomes.
The Hurricane was a far better airframe for what it was designed for.
reply
Well the Spitfire was a great air frame doing what it did best.
well right up till the end of the Battle of Britain
Then it faded into obscurity with the introduction of the P 51 mustang.
no way you can compare one against the other.
Same engine, but way, way different outcomes.
The Hurricane was a far better airframe for what it was designed for.
reply
IDCGaming
8: 37 I live near there (Sleaford, about a 1/2 hr drive away. My driving instructor (a retired pathfinder for the British army - he was part of the 6 man team who detonated the Argentine air force fuel reserves) regularly gets me to drive around Grantham. Says it's good practice for urban areas. I'd have to agree with him. It's a lovely place.
reply
8: 37 I live near there (Sleaford, about a 1/2 hr drive away. My driving instructor (a retired pathfinder for the British army - he was part of the 6 man team who detonated the Argentine air force fuel reserves) regularly gets me to drive around Grantham. Says it's good practice for urban areas. I'd have to agree with him. It's a lovely place.
reply
Piob
The Spitfire (and its variants) was the only fighter to my knowledge that was in production prior to WW2, throughout the duration of the war, and continued after the war with the last ones rolling out in 1948. Many nations operated them in their armed forces for decades after that. This fact alone makes it remarkable.
reply
The Spitfire (and its variants) was the only fighter to my knowledge that was in production prior to WW2, throughout the duration of the war, and continued after the war with the last ones rolling out in 1948. Many nations operated them in their armed forces for decades after that. This fact alone makes it remarkable.
reply
Al
I have served in the RAF. I have spoken to WW2 veterans. I have seen Spitfires fly. I am immensley proud to have served in the same organization as those Spitfire pilots. The people who designed them bulit them serviced them and flew in them are eternal heroes in my opinion. The debt we owe them can never be repaid.
reply
I have served in the RAF. I have spoken to WW2 veterans. I have seen Spitfires fly. I am immensley proud to have served in the same organization as those Spitfire pilots. The people who designed them bulit them serviced them and flew in them are eternal heroes in my opinion. The debt we owe them can never be repaid.
reply
Charlie
I will always love that sweet and gracious elegant elliptic wing. Yes, there were many WW2 exceptional warbirds but none like the Spitfire. I guess that not only England but the whole free world should be grateful with Reginald Mitchell for having created such a flying wonder.
reply
I will always love that sweet and gracious elegant elliptic wing. Yes, there were many WW2 exceptional warbirds but none like the Spitfire. I guess that not only England but the whole free world should be grateful with Reginald Mitchell for having created such a flying wonder.
reply
Phil
It was but without the Hurricane as well it may have turned out very different, l know that Spitfire has a great reputation which went on even after the Second World War a lot of Aircraft designed during the War in England made a huge difference in the out come of it.
reply
It was but without the Hurricane as well it may have turned out very different, l know that Spitfire has a great reputation which went on even after the Second World War a lot of Aircraft designed during the War in England made a huge difference in the out come of it.
reply
Grumpy
Almost every time someone posts a video about the Spitfire or the Battle of Britain it never misses. They partially fill they post with segment of the Battle of Britain motion picture and the Spanish Heinkels and 109s Merlin powered: (
reply
Almost every time someone posts a video about the Spitfire or the Battle of Britain it never misses. They partially fill they post with segment of the Battle of Britain motion picture and the Spanish Heinkels and 109s Merlin powered: (
reply
the
spitfire. mustang p51. lighting p38. p47 the jug. bf109 love em all. built many of them as a kid and radio controlled with my father. we've had a love affair of aircraft over 50 years. and dad still flys. cheers for upload
reply
spitfire. mustang p51. lighting p38. p47 the jug. bf109 love em all. built many of them as a kid and radio controlled with my father. we've had a love affair of aircraft over 50 years. and dad still flys. cheers for upload
reply
David
What l Liked in the Movie! QUITE A NUMBER! OF THINGS! ( EVEN! THE! VICTORY! MUSIC! ) AND EVEN THE CREDIT MUSIC TOO! DAHHH! DAAHHH! THE END! AND NOT FORGETTING! THE UNITED ARTISTS! MOVIE! EMBLEM! AND MUSIC! TOO!
reply
What l Liked in the Movie! QUITE A NUMBER! OF THINGS! ( EVEN! THE! VICTORY! MUSIC! ) AND EVEN THE CREDIT MUSIC TOO! DAHHH! DAAHHH! THE END! AND NOT FORGETTING! THE UNITED ARTISTS! MOVIE! EMBLEM! AND MUSIC! TOO!
reply
mpkunz6336
Thank goodness for the Hawker Hurricane, without which the legend of the Spitfire would never have been possible, as the outcome of the Battle of Britain was decided by Hurricanes, not by Spitfires.
reply
Thank goodness for the Hawker Hurricane, without which the legend of the Spitfire would never have been possible, as the outcome of the Battle of Britain was decided by Hurricanes, not by Spitfires.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
53:7