Spitfire FIGHTER-BOMBERS

The iconic fighter was surprisingly effective in other roles

- CLIVE ROWLEY

Spitfire Mk XVIs, like this example (TE311) operated by the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (RAF BBMF), were used principally as fighter-bombers during the latter stages of WW II in Europe. (Photo by John Dibbs/ Facebook.​com/theplanepicturecompany)

"The first time I saw my lean Spitfire with two bombs hanging under its slender wings, I decided that I was never going to be crazy about this phase of our work. The Spitfire seemed to be intolerably burdened with her load, and the ugly, blunt bombs were a basic contradiction of all the beauty and symmetry of the aeroplane."-Wing Commander "Johnnie" Johnson, Spitfire Wing Leader (later Air Vice Marshal Johnson CB, CBE, DSO & Two Bars, DFC & Bar)

Spitfire design and development

The Supermarine Spitfire was originally designed as a short-range interceptor and it was undoubtedly one of the best fighters of World War II in that role. The Spitfire's relatively small size and light weight, coupled with a powerful engine and excellent aerodynamic design, endowed it with a good rate of climb, high speed, and superb maneuverability. Perhaps though, the greatest attribute of the famous British fighter was its potential for subsequent progressive development from the original brilliant design, with more and more horsepower bringing ever greater performance, without losing the Spitfire's fundamental character and maneuverability.

Pilots of 602 Sqn.check a 250-lb. bomb under the wing of one of the unit's Mk XVI Spitfires at Ludham, Norfolk, England. The squadron conducted dive-bombing attacks against V-1 flying bomb launch sites in the Netherlands in late 1944 and early 1945. Left to right: Flt. Lt. Pertwee, Sqn. Ldr. Max Sutherland, DFC & Two Bars, Fg. Off. Farfan and Flt. Lt. Stephenson.