SPECTACULAR SPITFIRE ENGINE START!

Описание: How did the Supermarine Spitfire get its name?

Well, contrary to what many people think, it actually wasn’t because of the flames from the aircraft’s engine exhausts…

R.J. Mitchell, the designer of the Spitfire, originally had the names ‘Shrew’ or ‘Scarab’ lined up for his new fighter aircraft. However, and reportedly to his displeasure, it was the chairman of Vickers-Armstrongs, Sir Robert McLean, who came up with the aircraft’s name. He named it ‘Spitfire’ after a nickname he had for his daughter, due to her fiery personality. It was seen as more appropriate than ‘Shrew’ or ‘Scarab’ given the nature of the aircraft’s role as a fighter/interceptor. Anyway, the name stuck and just like that, a legend was born and the rest was history!

This particular Spitfire is the only remaining Spitfire prototype of any variant. MT818 was built in 1944 as a fighter Mk.VIII. In February 1945, it was converted to a two-seat demonstration trainer and later sent to RAF Boscombe Down for handling trials between the years of 1947 and 1952. The aircraft now wears the colours of 'Lady Ellen III', a Spitfire of the US Army Air Force's 309th Fighter Squadron.

Featured Aircraft:
Aircraft Type - Supermarine Spitfire T.VIII
Serial Number - MT818
Registration - G-AIDN
Markings - 309th Fighter Sqn, USAAF

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