Being on the drawing board as early as February 1942, the Spitfire F.21 was in essence a major redesign of the aircraft with a completely revised wing. Although the elliptical shape was retained, the wing on production aircraft had blunter tips. The new wing, with an extended span of 40ft 2in (12.24m) was fitted to the former Mark IV and Mark XX prototype DP851. Production F.21s however had a wing span of 36ft 11in (11.25m) and an area of 243.6 square feet (22.63m²).
In total only 120 F.21s were built at the Castle Bromwich factory, although at some stage Vickers Supermarine claimed to have an order for 2,9262 aircraft in the book.
The first deliveries to the RAF took place in December 1944, reaching operational units in January 1945. The F.21 entered service with Nos.1, 41, 91 and 122 Squadrons prior to being handed over to the Auxiliary Air Force (600, 602 and 615 Squadron).
- Country of Origin:
United Kingdom
- First Flight:
24 July 1943 (PP139)
- Initial Service Date:
January 1945
- No. Built:
120
- No. In Service:
0
- No. of Hardpoints:
3
- Crew:
1