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3 January 1935
Air ministry give Supermarine a contract to develop their Type 300 prototype.
5 March 1936
First flight of the Spitfire prototype
3 June 1936
Air Ministry places order for the first 310 Spitfire Mk Is.
27 June 1936
First public appearance of the Spitfire prototype at Royal Air Force Pageant, Hendon
11 June 1937
R.J. Mitchell dies of cancer, aged 42
14 May 1938
First production Spitfire (K9787) flies for first time.
August 1939
No. 19 Squadron becomes the first one to receive the Spitfire I
3 September 1939
Outbreak of the Second World War. The RAF has eight fully equipped Spitfire squadrons, with 187 Spitfires.
24 September 1939
First flight of the Mk II
August 1940
No. 611 squadron at Digby becomes the first squadron to receive the Mk II.
January 1941
First Mk V produced
February 1941
No.92 squadron becomes first to receive the Mk V
March 1941
Decision taken to mass produce the Mk V instead of the Mk III.
September 1941
First flight of the prototype Mk III with the Merlin 61 engine as used in the Mk IX, VII and VII
October 1941
Appearance of the Mk Vc with the universal “c” wing.
December 1941
First production Mk VIs completed
21 February 1942
First prototype Mk IX takes to the air
7 March 1942
First overseas deployment of the Spitfire when fifteen Mk Vbs are flown to Malta from HMS Eagle.
April 1942
Mk IX assessed by AFDU
June 1942
Mk IX enters full production
July 1942
First Mk IXs enter operational service.
August 1942
First production Mk VII completed
12 September 1942
Mk IX takes part in highest combat of the war, at 43,000 feet over Southampton against a Ju 86R, which escapes.
October 1942
End of Mk VI production
November 1942
First Mk VIIIs produced
February 1943
First Griffon powered Mk XIIs enter service with No.41 squadron.
June 1943
Mk VIII enters service with No. 145 Squadron on Malta
January 1944
Mk XIV entered front line service with No.610 squadron.
Early 1944
End of Mk VII production.
April 1944
Mk VIIIs reach Australia, replaced Mk Vc around Darwin.
5 October 1944
Mk IXbs of 401 squadron become first allied aircraft to shoot down an Me 262
April 1945
Mk 21 goes operational with No.91 Squadron.
Prototypes - Mk I - Mk II - Mk III - Mk V - Mk VI - Mk VII - Mk VIII - Mk IX - Mk XII - Mk XIV - Mk XVI - Mk XVIII - Mk 21 to 24 - Photo Reconnaissance Spitfires - Spitfire Wings - Timeline