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[Film] Spitfire: The Movie



ferring seagull

Well-known member
Dec 30, 2010
4,606
For those unfamiliar, it may also be worth viewing the old B & W movie concerning the development of the Spitfire !

'First of the Few' starred Leslie Howard 1942.
 


Gabbafella

Well-known member
Aug 22, 2012
4,636
I believe that when the Luftwaffe came a-calling the bombers were taken on by the Hurricanes, and the escorts (fighters) were engaged by Spitfires.

Makes sense as I believe the spitfire was faster and more agile.
 


maffew

Well-known member
Dec 10, 2003
8,859
Worcester England
Who was posting on here there other week that they are getting to fly in one? Was it [MENTION=33848]The Clamp[/MENTION]? Cant remember but my dad was insanely jealous (and confused) when I said they were flying it, not flying in it
 


AmexRuislip

Trainee Spy 🕵️‍♂️
Feb 2, 2014
33,727
Ruislip
Who was posting on here there other week that they are getting to fly in one? Was it [MENTION=33848]The Clamp[/MENTION]? Cant remember but my dad was insanely jealous (and confused) when I said they were flying it, not flying in it
[MENTION=19891]wunt be druv[/MENTION]
 


jakarta

Well-known member
May 25, 2007
15,616
Sullington
In regards to the Hurricane it is worth mentioning (as Bungay does in the Most Dangerous Enemy) that the Luftwaffe didn't think much of it. I think one was quoted as describing a Hurricane as 'a nice plane to shoot down'.

However by far the most successful squadron in the Battle (the Poles of 303 Squadron) flew Hurricanes. 3 of the 4 RAF top scorers flew Hurricanes as well.

It really came down to the ability of the pilots concerned.

In reality the Spitfire was a better fighter with potential for further development whereas the Hurricane was essentially a monoplane version of the 1930's Fury with a Merlin engine and 8 machine guns and had come to the end of the line.

Hawker knew this hence the Typhoon (the prototype of which flew before the Battle of Britain) and the Tempest, whereas the Spitfire went onto the end the war in further and further variations and Marks - the final Mk 24 has almost no resemblance to those who fought in the Battle of Britain.

On a personal note, being close to Goodwood we get overflown by their Spitfires on a regular basis. Marvellous scenes and sounds...
 




Lankyseagull

One Step Beyond
Jul 25, 2006
1,839
The Field of Uck
I was at the High Hurstwood Summer Fete Saturday and a Spitfire did 4 low passes – they are undeniably magical awe inspiring planes, the wing shapes are just so beautiful you'd be forgiven for thinking they were done purely for aesthetics over being the best flying fighting machines.

I was there too. It's a plane that make everyone stop to look and admire it. My four year old son was entranced. Unmistakable engine noise and you can't help but look when you hear one.
 




vegster

Sanity Clause
May 5, 2008
27,867
Definitely a beautiful plane, but the hurricane was more deadly. Pretty sure it was quite close, something like 55% - 45% in favour of the hurricane in terms of kills.
And as bizarre as it may sound to most people, given the chance I'd rather fly a Me-109.
My late Uncle was in the RAF groundcrew during the war, was even based at Tangmere for a while before his squadron went to North Africa and then up through Italy....he said " The Hurries did all the real work but the Spits were the glory boys. "
 






Maybe maligned isn't quite the right word, would overlooked have been better? Many people seem to think that the Spitfire was the only fighter aircraft that we possessed, whereas in the all important first couple of years of the war their were comparitively few of them and it was the Hurricane that did the lions share of the work. Where would be today without it?
A little quote from Pete Townsend of 43 squadron for you;

'we were at one with ourselves and our machines. It was the Hurricane, really, which gave us our immense confidence, with its mighty engine, its powerful battery of eight guns and its feel of swift, robust strength and the ability to outdo our enemies. Months would go by before the real test of combat but we believed in the Hurricane. Performance figures - those of the Me 109 and the Spitfire were in many respects superior - did not in the least dismay us. The Hurricane was our faithful charger and we felt supremely sure of it and ourselves.'
 






The Clamp

Well-known member
NSC Patreon
Jan 11, 2016
24,272
West is BEST
I am well and truly fed up with all this hyperbolic praise of the Spitfire, whilst the poor much maligned Hawker Hurricane barely gets a mention.

Yes l freely acknowledge that the Spit was the superior aircraft in almost every way, faster, more manoeverable, more gunpower etc. etc. But the simple fact remains that the Hurricane shot down far more enemy aircraft in the Battle of Britain than the Spitfire ever did. It goes without saying that had we lost the Battle of Britain, then we would have lost the war, and for that reason, at the very least, the humble Hurricane should take it's rightful place at the top table.

Yeah, but this is a film about the spitfire. What you'll be looking for is a film about the Hurricane of which there are many.
 


alfredmizen

Banned
Mar 11, 2015
6,342
https://www.myvue.com/film/spitfire...p=socP_Facebook_43160_TINCOnSaleJune_spitfire

Looks rather interesting, though not sure what Vorderman has got to do with any of it.



They say she was beautiful. A dream. But for all her good looks, she was also a killer. SPITFIRE is an epic, sweeping tale of determination, vision and courage. It is the story of an aeroplane that was forged in competition, shaped as the war clouds gathered, and refined in the white heat of combat – going on to become the most famous fighter plane ever made.

Credited with changing the course of world history, this is the story of the Spitfire – told in the words of the last-surviving combat veterans. With stunning aerial footage from the world’s top aviation photographer, the film also contains rare, digitally re-mastered, archive footage from the tumultuous days of the 1940s when her power in the skies was unrivalled.

SPITFIRE also explores how this extraordinary plane thrives today and how it has become an international icon.

nice one :thumbsup:
 


alfredmizen

Banned
Mar 11, 2015
6,342
Maybe maligned isn't quite the right word, would overlooked have been better? Many people seem to think that the Spitfire was the only fighter aircraft that we possessed, whereas in the all important first couple of years of the war their were comparitively few of them and it was the Hurricane that did the lions share of the work. Where would be today without it?

overlooked is probably tbe right word , same as with the halifax / lancaster , but youre not going to change anything now im afraid
 




Motogull

Todd Warrior
Sep 16, 2005
9,796
On a personal note, being close to Goodwood we get overflown by their Spitfires on a regular basis. Marvellous scenes and sounds...

I went to the revival a few years ago and decided to walk all the way round. To my utter joy, I was at the end of the runway as they all landed over me.

As for Vorderman and Spitfires, I'd like her to be shot down by one.
 


Triggaaar

Well-known member
Oct 24, 2005
49,987
Goldstone
Credited with changing the course of world history
That might be overdoing it a little.
the film also contains rare, digitally re-mastered, archive footage from the tumultuous days of the 1940s when her power in the skies was unrivalled.
That's simply not true. There were several good fighters in the skies. The FW-190, La5, P47, to name a few.
 


Saunders

Well-known member
Oct 1, 2017
2,292
Brighton
That might be overdoing it a little.
That's simply not true. There were several good fighters in the skies. The FW-190, La5, P47, to name a few.

He said 1940 la5 maiden flight was 1942 P-47 maiden flight was 1941 FW-190 was 1939 but not produced till later. So yea it is true. Its also true to say that technology moves very fast when there is a war on.
 


The Clamp

Well-known member
NSC Patreon
Jan 11, 2016
24,272
West is BEST
That might be overdoing it a little.
That's simply not true. There were several good fighters in the skies. The FW-190, La5, P47, to name a few.

I'm genuinely astonished the makers of this film didn't get in touch with you when researching this film. Clearly they have just used a bunch of feckless amateurs.
 




Triggaaar

Well-known member
Oct 24, 2005
49,987
Goldstone
He said 1940
No, the post read "archive footage from the tumultuous days of the 1940s when her power in the skies was unrivalled."

la5 maiden flight was 1942 P-47 maiden flight was 1941 FW-190 was 1939 but not produced till later. So yea it is true.
As above, no, it isn't.

The 1940 Spitfire would cut out with negative g-force, due to it's carburettor, while the bf-109E was fuel injected and had no such trouble. The Spit could turn sharper, but the Emil (the 109E) had a better roll rate and was good in vertical fights. Not sure there was a lot between them.
 


Saunders

Well-known member
Oct 1, 2017
2,292
Brighton
No, the post read "archive footage from the tumultuous days of the 1940s when her power in the skies was unrivalled."

As above, no, it isn't.

The 1940 Spitfire would cut out with negative g-force, due to it's carburettor, while the bf-109E was fuel injected and had no such trouble. The Spit could turn sharper, but the Emil (the 109E) had a better roll rate and was good in vertical fights. Not sure there was a lot between them.

OK fair enough but the war ended in 1945 and the air war ended way before then at least in Britain we arent talking a massive window. If we are talking the entirety of the 1940's then its none of the above;
 



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