Number 1: The Supermarine Spitfire
Britain's war-winner outdoes the competition in every which way imaginable.
by Staff Writer

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Synopsis: Generally regarded as the most beautiful and most famous fighter design in the history of military aviation, the Supermarine Spitfire became the stuff of legend with its involvement in the Battle of Britain (though some suggest the Hawker Hurricane was the real star there). With a plethora of variants and total production in excess of 20,000 examples, the Spitfire was an aircraft design meant to last the length of the war - and it did just that. Engaging anything from fighters to bombers and even interception of German V-1 flying bombs, the Spitfire would go on to become the most revered of fighter designs for the next half-century.

Pros: Exceptional construction and aerodynamic design; excellent performance from the Rolls-Royce Merlin powerplant; twin 20mm cannons and four .303 caliber machine guns put it on par with the German fighter designs and then some; alternate weapons configurations and engines made for an adaptable platform.

Notoriety: The Supermarine Spitfire earned its wings in the Battle of Britain where all Britons cried out in a single voice to say "no!" to SauerKraut-flavored crumpets; spawned a sea-faring variant in the Supermarine Seafire, padding the already impressive production totals.

Total Production: 20,351

Operators: Australia, Belgium, Burma, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Rhodesia, South Africa, Soviet Union, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay and Yugoslavia.

Variants: Supermarine Seafire; Supermarine Spiteful

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