In the early 1930s, the Air Ministry issued a specification called F7/30, which called for the development of a fighter aircraft that combined heavy firepower with speed. The goal was to have a fighter that could fly at 250 miles per hour and carry four guns.

Vickers Supermarine initially failed to meet this specification, but after several prototypes and improvements, including the use of Rolls-Royce’s PV-XII V12 engine, the Supermarine Spitfire started to take shape. The first prototype, named K5054, took to the skies in March 1936, and further developments made it even more impressive. The final version of the Spitfire surpassed the initial requirements, with a top speed of 348 mph and eight Browning guns.

The Spitfire proved to be a formidable aircraft and a powerful weapon. It outperformed other fighter planes of its time, including its British counterpart, the Hawker Hurricane. Historian Paul Beaver described the Spitfire as having a certain mystique, with troops often claiming to have been defeated by a Spitfire even if it was actually a Hurricane. The unique and innovative design of the Spitfire played a significant role in securing its place in aviation history.