Design Classic No. 166: The Supermarine Spitfire 1936

First revealed to the British public in June 1936, the Supermarine Spitfire has subsequently become a classic icon of World War II. Powered by another design classic, the Rolls Royce V12 Merlin engine, the Spitfire was capable of 348mph.

It is the distinctive, elliptical wing shape that gives the spitfire it's iconic silhouette. The shape evolved in order to minimise drag yet have enough strength to enable four .303 inch Browning machine guns to be mounted per wing. Designer Reginald Mitchell also thought the shape ‘looked nice’!

SoVibrant - Industrial Design www.sovibrant.co.uk

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