The Mark 5 was the most numerous of all the Spitfires, with 6,554 eventually made. This is an LF V b, the `b' denoting the elliptical wing with four 20mm cannon, and the `LF' denoting `low level fighter'. Note the original three bladed propellor.

Another Spitfire LF V b, but this one has clipped wings to improve low altitude performance.

The standard-wing LF Vb taking off, together with the mark 8. Note the undercarriage retracting outwards - a useful identification feature; the Hurricane's wheels retracted inwards.

Spitfire VIII, powered by an American-built Packard Merlin engine. 1,648 of this variant were built. Note the four bladed propellor now introduced on the more powerful Merlin engines in this version.

The Spitfire IX was the second most numerous version built, with 5,736 eventually made. This is a IXb with the standard elliptical wing, equipped with four 20mm cannon.

Spitfire HF IX. The `HF' denotes `High altitude Fighter'.

The HF IX in flight

The Spitfire 14 was one of the first to be equipped with the more powerful Griffon engine and five bladed propellor. This one is a clipped-wing XIVE, optimised for low level work. Note the enlarged tail, needed to cope with the extra power of the Griffon engine. 966 of the mark 14 were built.

This Spitfire FR XIV was one of the first to introduce the `teardrop' canopy for better all-round visibility. The `FR' stands for `Fighter, Reconnaissance'. This one also has the clipped wing.

The Spitfire LF XVI was basically a mark 9 with the American Packard Merlin engine. This one is an LF XVI e, with bubble canopy and the longer wing. Note reversion to the four blade propellor for the Merlin.

The Spitfire FR XVIII, like the XIV, had a Griffon engine and bubble canopy. There were only 300 of this variant made, because it was just too late to serve in the War. This one has the `original', elliptical, wing.

The FR XVIII in flight

The Spitfire PR XIX was a specialised photographic reconnaissance version. This one is finished in standard PR colours, sky blue to make it hard to see when overhead at high level. The effect is rather altered by the conspicuous black and white `invasion stripes', designed to make it easier to tell friend from foe during the heat of battle while supporting the Normandy landings.

A remarkable ex-post conversion: this PR XIX has been fitted with a griffon engine taken from an Avro Shackleton, complete with contra-rotating propellors. This one must be a beauty to fly, not only massive power but no torque at all.

Another view of the PR19 with the contra-rotating propellors.

The PR19 C/R in flight, showing off the beauty of the wing shape and the invasion stripes, as well as the bizarre propellor.

This is a Seafire, which is a Spitfire adapted with folding wings and an arrestor hook for life on an aircraft carrier. This one is a Griffon engined Seafire mark 17.