Title -  Supermarine Spitfire Mk Va
 
Description -  Supermarine Spitfire Mk Va, RAF serial R7347, which was brought to the Langley Aeronautical Laboratory at Hampton, Virginia (USA), for comparative testing.
The British Supermarine Spitfire was the only Allied fighter aircraft of the Second World War to fight in front line service from the beginnings of the conflict, in September 1939, through to the end in August 1945.  Post-war, the Spitfire's service career continued into the 1950s.  The basic airframe proved to be extremely adaptable, capable of taking far more powerful engines and far greater loads than its original role as a short-range interceptor had called for.  This would lead to 19 marks of Spitfire and 52 sub-variants being produced throughout the Second World War, and beyond.
 
Description Source -  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
 
Year -  c. 1941