When you think of Rolls Royce, a luxury automobile usually comes to mind, but not for everyone. Tracing steps back in time to 1934, the UK best remembers the adapted version of Reginald Mitchell’s (1895-1937) Submarine Seaplane, known as the Spitfire Mk1. This sleek, modern aircraft was designed as a military inceptor fighter plane and offered first class quality including the Rolls Royce Merlin engine and ahead of its time, wooden propeller.

The Spitfire Mk1 first rolled off the production lines in 1937, and was completely operational in 1938. To say this was a plane that exuded class and quality, much like its engine, would not do it justice. By 1939, the RAF had already ordered 4,000 planes. Combining the powerful and reliable Merlin engine, it reached a top speed of 350mph (563km/h) and could ascend approximately 2500 feet (762m) per minute. The futuristic aerodynamic design made it a powerful source to be reckoned with.

At the request of the Air Ministry for a new fighter plane, the Spitfire did not disappoint them. As the German Focke -Wulf FW-190 was making a name for itself; the Spitfire introduced a new model known as the MK IX. As a test pilot for manufacture Vickers Armstrong, Alex Henshaw (1912-2007) was the first to pilot the new model on December 10, 1943. The forward thinking Mr. Henshaw had already developed a name for himself and was best known as a British air racer.

The Spitfire can rightfully claim many “firsts”, where each one has its’ place in history and the UK should be known as having developed a plane still being talked about today. Since it rolled off the production lines in 1936, the Spitfire has introduced over 200 various models, but will always be remembered as the Rolls Royce of planes.