Supermarine 300 Spitfire Ia Aircraft Data
The Supermarine Spitfire, together with the Hawker Hurricane, formed the backbone of Britain's air defence at the outbreak of World War Two.
On 14 May, 1938, Supermarine's pilot Jeffrey Quill made the first flight with the first production Spitfire Mark I, serial K9787, from Eastleigh aerodrome, Southampton.
Soon after official handling trials at the A&AEE Martlesham Heath, K9787 joined No. 19 Squadron at RAF Duxford on 29 July, 1938. By the end of that year, Nos. 19 and 66 Squadrons had completed their conversion to the Spitfire. By the time war was declared on 3 September 1939, the Royal Air Force had nine Spitfire Squadrons.
The first 74 Type 300 Spitfire Mk.I and Ia aircraft were powered by a single-speed, single stage 990hp (738kW) Rolls Royce Merlin II, the remainder had the Merlin III (1,030hp / 768kW).
On 14 May, 1938, Supermarine's pilot Jeffrey Quill made the first flight with the first production Spitfire Mark I, serial K9787, from Eastleigh aerodrome, Southampton.
Soon after official handling trials at the A&AEE Martlesham Heath, K9787 joined No. 19 Squadron at RAF Duxford on 29 July, 1938. By the end of that year, Nos. 19 and 66 Squadrons had completed their conversion to the Spitfire. By the time war was declared on 3 September 1939, the Royal Air Force had nine Spitfire Squadrons.
The first 74 Type 300 Spitfire Mk.I and Ia aircraft were powered by a single-speed, single stage 990hp (738kW) Rolls Royce Merlin II, the remainder had the Merlin III (1,030hp / 768kW).
- Country of Origin: United Kingdom
- First Flight: 14 May 1938
- Initial Service Date: 29 July 1938
- No. Built: 1,567
- No. In Service: 0 (approx.)
- No. of Hardpoints: 0
- Crew: 1
Power:
Rolls Royce Merlin II at 990 hp
Weapons:
Eight .303 (7.7mm) Colt Browning machine guns with 300 rounds per gun.
Dimensions:
| Length: | 29.98 in. |
| Wing Span: | 37.08 in. |
| Wing Area: | 242 sq.ft |
| Height: | 8.19 in. |
| Empty Weight: | 4,810 lbs |
| Max. Weight: | 6,200 lbs |
| Internal Fuel: | 647,8 lbs |
Performance:
| Max. Speed: | 363 mph |
| Cruise Speed: | 318 mph |
| Service Ceiling: | 31,900 ft. |
| Normal Range: | 395 nm |
| Max. Range: | 575 nm |
Random great photos of the Supermarine 300 Spitfire Ia:
