Nineteen RAF Spitfire squadrons fought in the Battle of Britain, claiming approximately 36% of all RAF victories. Directed primarily against the Bf 109E fighter escort while Hurricanes attacked the bombers, the Spitfire was the aircraft the Luftwaffe feared most — roughly equal in performance to the Messerschmitt and capable of outturning it. Click any card to see pilots, aircraft codes, decals and photographs.
19 squadrons·180+ named pilots·4 RAF groups
Choosing your Spitfire kit
More Spitfire kits exist than for any other WW2 aircraft. For a BoB Mk.I in 1:48 the Airfix AX05126A is the top recommendation — superb accuracy and value. The Eduard 82157 ProfiPACK adds photo-etch and masks for serious modellers. In 1:72 the Airfix AX01071B retool is the benchmark.
Aftermarket for the Spitfire Mk.I
The Airfix cockpit benefits greatly from Eduard SPACE 3D. Master Model AM-48-108 brass Browning barrels transform the wing. Kabuki canopy masks are essential — the Spitfire's many curved panes are very hard to mask freehand.
Battle of Britain paint colours
Every BoB Spitfire wore Dark Earth and Dark Green upper surfaces, Sky (Type S) undersides and spinner. The split line on the Spitfire's curved fuselage creates a characteristic wavy demarcation — the A-scheme has brown on the starboard nose side.
Brand colour comparison
Roundel & marking notes
July–Aug 1940: Type A1 roundels (no yellow ring) on fuselage. Type A upper wings. Type B lower wings. Large fin flash.
Sep–Oct 1940: Yellow outer ring on fuselage roundels increasingly common by October.
Code letters: Sky BS381C-216. ~24 inch height. Serial in black rear fuselage port side only. Some Spitfires had a Sky spinner with a narrow black spiral stripe.
Stage-by-stage build guide for the Spitfire. Assumes 1:48, e.g. Airfix AX05126A.
Period-accurate weathering by base. All Spitfires showed exhaust staining port upper cowling. Eight gun port blast marks along each leading edge. Port wing root walkway chipping is distinctive.
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Station Info
Click a station dot on the map to see squadrons and notes.
Group colours
11 Group (South)
10 Group (SW)
12 Group (Midlands)
13 Group (North)
Battle of Britain — Interactive Timeline
Drag the slider through the 113-day battle. See squadron status at each point.
10 July 1940
10 Jul15 Aug15 Sep31 Oct
Front lineReserveResting
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More Spitfires survive worldwide than any other WW2 fighter — over 60 airworthy. The most historically significant BoB-period aircraft are listed here.
Essential reading for Spitfire modellers: the finest pilot memoirs, histories and modelling guides.
Pilot Stories — Spitfire aces of the Battle of Britain
Five of the most significant Spitfire pilots of 1940, from squadron records and first-person memoirs.
Films, audio & archives
Recommended video, audio and archive resources for Spitfire research and modelling inspiration.