Supermarine Spitfire Mk II
Supermarine · GB · first flew 1940 · fighter
The Mk II was an incremental improvement over the Mk I, powered by the Merlin XII and fitted with a Rotol constant-speed propeller as standard, giving measurably better climb and ceiling.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, elliptical |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.12 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Merlin XII engine giving a slightly different exhaust stub arrangement versus Mk I
- Rotol constant-speed propeller (most Mk Is had de Havilland two-pitch)
- Unchanged airframe from Mk I — identical silhouette to the early Spit; distinguish by prop and exhaust detail
Externally near-identical to the Mk I. On a static example, look for the Rotol spinner (more rounded than de Havilland) and Merlin XII exhaust stubs (six short stacks per side vs the Mk I's six-stub fishtail). On flying examples, the Rotol prop's broader blades are the safest cue.
Specifications
- The Supermarine Spitfire Mk II has a length of 9.12 m (30 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.23 m (37 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 575 km/h (357 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Deliveries began in August 1940, just in time for the height of the Battle of Britain. Some 920 were built, all at Castle Bromwich. The Mk IIA had eight .303 Brownings; the Mk IIB introduced two 20 mm Hispano cannon plus four .303s.
Variants
Mk IIA (eight .303s), Mk IIB (two cannon + four .303s), ASR Mk II (air-sea rescue, carried dinghy packs).
Where you'll see it
Served exclusively with RAF Fighter Command through 1941 before being replaced by the Mk V. Survivors are rare; the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Mk IIa P7350 is the only airworthy example, appearing at airshows across the UK.
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- Supermarine Sea Otter
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- Supermarine Spitfire Mk I
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