Model Airplane News
June, 1943


Model Airplane News Cover for June, 1943 by Jo Kotula Supermarine Spitfire Model Airplane News Cover for December, 1957 by Jo Kotula Supermarine Spitfire

Supermarine Spitfire
Model Airplane News Cover Art for June, 1943 and December, 1957
by Jo Kotula
Click to Enlarge


The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries through the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used into the 1950s both as a front line fighter and in secondary roles. It was produced in greater numbers than any other British aircraft and was the only Allied fighter in production throughout the war.

 Supermarine Spitfire Fighter

Supermarine Spitfire Fighter
The Famous Elliptical Wing
Click to Enlarge


The Spitfire was designed as a short-range high-performance interceptor aircraft by R. J. Mitchell, chief designer at Supermarine Aviation Works. He continued to refine the design until his death from cancer in 1937, whereupon his colleague Joseph Smith became chief designer. The Spitfire's elliptical wing had a thin cross-section, allowing a high top speed necessary for home defence against enemy bombers.

After the Battle of Britain, the Spitfire became the backbone of RAF Fighter Command and saw action in the European Theatre, Pacific Theatre and the South-East Asian theatre. Much loved by its pilots, the Spitfire saw service in several roles, including interceptor, photo-reconnaissance, fighter-bomber, carrier-based fighter, and trainer; it was built in many different variants, with two different types of engine and several wing configurations.

Here is an article comparing Britain's two top fighters: the Hurricane and the Spitfire. It appeared in Popular Mechanics

 Hawker Hurricane and Spitfire compared, Popular Mechanics, November 1939

Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire compared
Popular Mechanics November, 1939
Click to Enlarge


The Spitfire will always be compared to its main adversary, the Messerschmitt Bf 109; both followed similar design philosophies of marrying a small, streamlined airframe to a powerful liquid-cooled V12 engine. Since it is a revered object in Britain, there are plenty of Spitfires in operating condition. Here is a video featuring several of them flying in formation.



The Cleveland Company offered modelers the unique ability to see the differences between thes two famous airplanes by building detailed models of each. Here is the Cleveland "Master Kit" for the Spitfire.

 Cleveland Kit for the Supermarine Spitfire Fighter        Cleveland Kit for the Supermarine Spitfire Fighter       Cleveland Kit for the Supermarine Spitfire Fighter



Cleveland Model of the Supermarine Spitfire Fighter
Click to Enlarge

Here is the less complicated "Industrial Training" (IT) version of the kit. Do not confuse "IT" kits with Master kits -- the latter are quite a bit more valuable!

Cleveland Industrial Training kit for the Supermarine Spitfire     Cleveland Industrial Training kit for the Supermarine Spitfire      Cleveland Industrial Training kit for the Supermarine Spitfire

Supermarine Spitfire
Cleveland Industrial Training kit
Click to Enlarge


You can buy the plans and patterns that will enable you to make this model right now. Click Here to go to the exact location on the Cleveland Website to get them.

Cleveland Site Location of Supermarine Spitfire Fighter   

Supermarine Spitfire on the Cleveland Site

go to the master list of Model Airplane News Covers

Click to go back and select another cover.




Counter for the Entire Site (not just this page..)


website counter



Home | About Lindy | Last Week's Reviews | Upcoming Events | 1940s Collecibles
The Guide - Establishments - Travel - Accessories
Music | Links | Photo Gallery | Extras | Contact