Spitfire Mk I K9795 of No. 19 Squadron RAF pre war
The first production Spitfire, K9787, made its maiden flight on May 14, 1938, from Eastleigh, marking the introduction of one of the most iconic aircraft of World War II. K9787 was part of an order for 310 Spitfires as part of the RAF’s Expansion Scheme F. Following its handling trials at the Aircraft & Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at Martlesham Heath, the Spitfire was delivered to No. 19 Squadron on July 29, 1938, becoming the first squadron to be fully equipped with this new fighter. By the end of the year, No. 19 and No. 66 Squadrons had transitioned to the Spitfire.
Early Spitfires featured a mahogany two-blade fixed-pitch propeller, but starting with the 78th aircraft, a three-blade de Havilland propeller was standard. These were later replaced by constant-speed propellers in mid-1940, significantly enhancing the aircraft’s agility and performance.
The introduction of the Spitfire wasn’t without challenges. Many early accidents resulted from pilots failing to lower the undercarriage during landings, a habit from flying older aircraft with fixed landing gear. This issue led to the introduction of a warning horn to remind pilots to lower the wheels during approach, though its effectiveness was mixed.
On October 31, 1938, No. 19 Squadron, under Squadron Leader Henry Cozens, showcased its Spitfires to the press, with the aircraft marked in their respective flight colors for the event. These early Spitfires featured A1 roundels, adding a splash of color to their otherwise camouflaged surfaces. However, after the Munich Crisis, the roundels were toned down in preparation for the inevitable conflict with Germany.
By the outbreak of World War II on September 3, 1939, the RAF had nine squadrons fully equipped with Spitfires, including No. 19, 66, 41, 74, 54, 65, 72, 602, and 611 Squadrons. No. 602 was the first Auxiliary Air Force squadron to receive the Spitfire, and others like No. 609 and 603 Squadrons were beginning to re-equip around the same time.