Interactive Spitfire Identification Guide

The Supermarine Spitfire was not one aircraft, but an evolving family of fighters. This guide provides the tools to visually distinguish between its many variants. Use the comparator to see side-by-side differences, explore individual components, and view the development timeline.

Mark Comparator

Select an engine family, then choose two Marks to see a detailed breakdown of their key visual differences.

Component Deep Dive

Armament Wings

The wing suffix (e.g., Vb) denoted the armament. Explore the evolution from machine guns to mixed cannon and machine gun layouts.

Wingtip Modifications

Wingtips were modified to optimize performance for specific altitudes and roles, directly impacting maneuverability and speed.

Development Timeline

This chart shows the introduction year of major Spitfire fighter Marks, illustrating the rapid, reactive evolution of the aircraft during World War II.

Specialized Variants

📸 Photo-Reconnaissance (PR)

Relying on speed and altitude for survival, PR Spitfires traded their guns for cameras and extra fuel. Their mission was high-stakes intelligence gathering deep in enemy territory.

  • No Armament: Smooth wing leading edges with no gun ports.
  • Camera Ports: Openings on the fuselage underside and/or side hatches.
  • Extra Fuel: Often featured a deeper oil cooler under the nose.
  • Special Canopies: Blown "teardrop" blisters on the sides for aiming.
  • Unique Paint: "PRU Blue" for high altitude or "PRU Pink" for low-level dawn/dusk missions.

âš“ Naval Seafire

Adapting the land-based Spitfire for brutal carrier operations was a major engineering feat. Seafires are identified by their naval-specific modifications.

  • Arrestor Hook: An 'A-frame' (early) or 'sting' type hook (late) for carrier landings.
  • Reinforced Airframe: External metal strips (strakes) often visible along the fuselage.
  • Folding Wings: A visible break line on the wings for storage (from Mk III onwards).
  • Contra-rotating Propellers: The ultimate Seafires (Mk 47) had two propellers spinning in opposite directions to cancel torque.