RAF Museum researcher Kris Hendrix writes, external that after the maiden flight “only few changes were made”.
“One of which was a new propeller which dramatically increased the maximum speed to 348 mph (557 km/h), making it the faster than the newest Hawker Hurricane fighter which, around that time, was entering production.
“The armament was doubled from four to eight Browning machine guns.”
He adds that the first Spitfire Mk. I had entered service with the RAF on 4 August 1938.
“The pilots immediately fell in love with the aircraft, which flew as wonderful as it looked.
“They recognised it as a thoroughbred combining a perfection of design with superb handling characteristics.”
He says more changes “were gradually introduced such as a three-bladed metal propeller and a new cockpit hood, finally giving the Spitfire its now-recognisable look”.
“By the outbreak of the Second World War, there were 306 Spitfires in service with the RAF, 71 in reserve and 2,000 on order.”
