The Planes That Built Britain with Rob Bell - Season 1, Episode 02: Spitfire

In the second episode, Rob Bell reveals why the Spitfire became the most famous fighter aircraft that Britain has ever produced. The iconic war plane was an engineering triumph created by Southampton-based aircraft manufacturer Supermarine. It led the fight against the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain and sits alongside other WWII greats such as the Hurricane and the Lancaster bomber. Rob explores what made the Spitfire such a formidable fighter: its unique design and powerful Merlin engine gave it superior handling in the close-quarter dogfights that took place across the skies in the crucial period of 1940 that became known as the Battle of Britain. We meet veteran pilots and hear what it was like to fly the Spitfire, often after just a very brief period of training. We also learn about the civilian war effort that went into the production of this aircraft and how restorers today continue to keep its memory alive.