Spitfire V

The Westland-built Spitfire Mk V entered service in early 1941 as the first major evolution of the legendary British fighter. Produced under licence by Westland Aircraft, the Mk V incorporated the more powerful Rolls‑Royce Merlin 45 powerplant, delivering 1,440 hp and raising top speed to roughly 370 mph at 20,000 ft. The type featured a refined wing with a revised leading‑edge slot and stronger wing spars, allowing the introduction of the ‘B’ wing with eight 20 mm Hispano cannons or the ‘C’ wing equipped with four 20 mm cannons and four .303 in machine guns. These armament options gave pilots a versatile mix of firepower for both bomber interception and dogfighting. The Spitfire V proved decisive in the North African campaign, the defence of Malta and later in the air battles over Europe, where its balanced handling and speed out‑classed many contemporary Axis aircraft. Its widespread production—over 2,000 airframes built by Westland and other manufacturers—cemented the Spitfire’s reputation as a work‑horse of the RAF. The Mk V’s combination of performance, adaptability and mass‑production capability made it a pivotal step in the evolution of modern fighter design and a lasting symbol of Allied air power.