Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIIIc G-BKMI

About the Spitfire

The Supermarine Spitfire first took to the air in the mid‑1930s and quickly became an icon of British aviation. Designed by Reginald Mitchell for the Royal Air Force, its distinctive elliptical wing and innovative stressed‑skin construction enabled exceptional speed and maneuverability. From early prototypes to successive “marks” that introduced improved armament, stronger structures, and more powerful Rolls‑Royce Merlin engines (and later Griffon engines), the Spitfire was continuously refined to meet the changing demands of aerial combat during World War II. Its elegant design and high performance made it a symbol of determination and hope during Britain’s darkest hours.

Throughout its operational history, the Spitfire evolved from a sleek, single‑seat interceptor into a multifaceted workhorse. Early versions faced significant production challenges with rapid modifications—ranging from upgrades in cockpit design to re‑armament changes driven by combat experience. The aircraft played a decisive role in the Battle of Britain and later proved adaptable as a fighter‑bomber, a high‑altitude interceptor, and even as a carrier‑based fighter (in the Seafire variant). By the end of the war, more than 20,000 Spitfires of various marks had been built, a testament to its versatility and the industry-wide efforts that supported its production.

Even as World War II drew to a close, the Spitfire’s development continued with further modifications to improve high‑altitude performance, extend range with increased fuel capacity, and enhance pilot visibility. The transition from Merlin to Griffon engines ushered in a new era of performance that allowed the aircraft to remain competitive against evolving enemy designs. Long celebrated after the war as a masterpiece of aeronautical engineering, the Spitfire is now an enduring symbol of British ingenuity, frequently appearing in museums and airshows, where it continues to captivate aviation enthusiasts around the world.

Specifications

Mk.VIIIc Variant

The Spitfire Mk VIII series introduced significant aerodynamic and structural refinements compared to its predecessors. One of the most notable changes was the removal of cabin pressurization, which simplified the airframe and reduced weight while adapting the fighter for operations in varied altitudes. In addition, early production models sometimes featured extended, pointed wingtips, although later evaluations showed that the standard wingtips—providing better aileron response and roll rate—delivered improved maneuverability.

Another major change was in the empennage and fuselage design. In the experimental Mk VIIIc variant, the rear fuselage was cut back and paired with a new teardrop canopy. This modification greatly enhanced rearward visibility, addressing a long-standing limitation of earlier Spitfire designs that struggled with pilot blind spots during close combat or evasive maneuvers. The reshaped fin and pointed rudder added to an improvement in directional stability, ensuring smoother handling during high-speed engagements.

Engine-wise, the Mk VIII series was tailored to accommodate different Merlin engine variants to suit various combat altitudes. The fighter was produced in several subvariants—low, medium, and high altitude—each equipped with Merlin 66, 63, or 70 engines respectively. These adjustments not only brought a boost in speed (with top speeds in the 408–416 mph range) but also improved rate of climb and sustained performance at high altitude, making the Mk VIII a versatile asset.

Fuel capacity and armament configurations were also rethought. The Mk VIII featured upgraded internal fuel tanks with an extra 11-gallon capacity, supplemented by provisions for external “slipper” drop tanks that dramatically extended the fighter’s range. Additionally, modifications allowed for flexible armament layouts, letting operators choose between different combinations of machine guns and cannons to better suit the mission profile. Together, these changes cemented the Mk VIII’s reputation as a robust and innovative fighter design that would influence subsequent Spitfire developments.

Did You Know?

• The destruction of Supermarine’s Itchen and Woolston factories by enemy bombing led to production being shifted to numerous “shadow factories”—with Castle Bromwich becoming the main hub for Spitfire manufacturing.
• Early Spitfires were famous for their elegant, elliptical wing design, chosen not only for its low induced drag but also for its aesthetic appeal—a design feature that helped to capture the public’s imagination.
• The Spitfire Mk IX was actually developed as a “stopgap” measure in response to the Focke‐Wulf Fw 190 threat and was produced from converted Mk Vc airframes before later high‐altitude models appeared.
• Some Spitfire variants were adapted for photo reconnaissance. For example, the PR Mk XIX became the definitive reconnaissance version with increased fuel capacity and specialized camera installations.
• Engine changes sometimes required more than simply swapping powerplants—the installation of the Griffon engine, for instance, necessitated modifications to the cowling, tail, and undercarriage to cope with its different thrust line and increased weight.

Spitfire Mk.VIIIc G-MXVI

MT928 is one of the rare surviving members of the Supermarine Spitfire family—the only two airworthy single-seat MkVIIIs still flying today. This variant was an important step in Spitfire development as it was one of the first to be fitted with the two-speed supercharged Merlin 61 engine. The more powerful engine improved high-altitude performance, but it also required a strengthened fuselage and increased fuel capacity. Other modifications included a retractable tailwheel and a larger, broad-chord rudder—features that would appear on later marks of the Spitfire.

Built during the later years of World War II, the aircraft was originally constructed as MV154 and rolled off the Southampton production line in 1944. After an acceptance and completion phase at 6 Maintenance Unit, it made its delivery flight piloted by Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) member Mary Wilkins. In September 1944, MV154 was shipped to Australia, arriving two months later, as many MkVIIIs were destined for service with the Royal Australian Air Force. However, with the end of hostilities, the fighter never left its shipping crate, and the airframe was stored until 1949 when it found a new role as an instructional aircraft at Sydney Technical College.

Thirteen years later, MV154 would begin a long and winding journey towards flight restoration. Anthony “Titus” Oates acquired the aircraft with plans to restore it, but those plans fell through. Instead, it spent many years in the care of Sid Marshall’s museum in Bankstown, New South Wales. In 1979, the airframe crossed oceans again when British warbird pilot and racing driver Robs Lamplough purchased it and returned it to the United Kingdom. A full rebuild was undertaken to restore the aircraft to airworthy condition, and on 28 May 1994, it took to the skies once more from Filton Airfield—this time in the iconic markings of MT928 with distinctive red code letters.

Over the following years, G‑BKMI (as it was registered) became a familiar and beloved sight at air shows. It even made cameo appearances in popular films such as Pearl Harbor and Dark Blue World, where temporary colours helped capture the look of the era. A particularly touching moment in its history was the reunion with Mary Wilkins—by then Mary Ellis—the very pilot who had delivered it in its boxed state. Her wartime signature, preserved in the cockpit thanks to the aircraft’s long storage period, still graced the instrument panel; upon its return to flight, she was invited to re-sign the Spitfire. This unique bond between MT928 and Mary Ellis stood as a tribute to the brave ATA pilots who flew in all weather, often in unfamiliar aircraft, under challenging conditions during the war.

In 2010, the aircraft was purchased by Maxi Gainza, who based it in Germany. Despite its new home, MT928 maintained its connection to its storied past by regularly visiting Mary’s local airfield on the Isle of Wight. The Spitfire’s legacy continued to be celebrated through appearances at prestigious events like the Duxford air shows and in a well-received Spitfire feature documentary. In 2019, Maxi opted to keep the aircraft registered in the United Kingdom, where it was maintained by the Aircraft Restoration Company on his behalf.

At the end of 2024, the journey of MT928 took another significant turn when the aircraft was sold to Peter Gartshore and exported to Australia. In its new phase, the Spitfire was repainted in the markings of A58‑484—a notable aircraft flown by 28.5‐victory ace Clive “Killer” Caldwell during his command of No. 80 Wing, Australian First Tactical Air Force on Morotai Island in the Dutch East Indies from December 1944 to March 1945. The detailed work required to accurately apply these historic markings was led by Steve Atkin from UK-based Warbird Colour. Today, the aircraft is registered as VH‑A58 and continues to fly as a living tribute to not only the legacy of the Spitfire but also the courageous pilots of the past.