Westland Lysander

Probably the most iconic plane of the Second World War the Spitfire saw active service from 1938 through until 1961. Power in the Spitfire came from the Rolls Royce Merlin engine. Here generating at the prop a total of 1,515 bhp, supplemented by the 70bhp from the ejector exhausts. These exhausts feature rear-facing heads so that the enormous volume of air being moved through the engine (equivalent to the volume of a single-decker bus per minute), and exiting at 1300mph meant a lot of thrust. By adding these fishtail outlets the Spitfire gained an extra 10mph and reduced exhaust glare during night flying.

The model flying here is a MK5C and was issued in 1942 to the No.310 (Czech) Squadron at RAF Duxford. It undertook escort duties with the USAAF, flying alongside US bombers, including the Memphis Belle. The aircraft is currently on display without its traditional elliptical wings, but instead, this clipped set for improved manoeuvrability at low levels. She is seen here bearing the livery of her original posting, the No.310 squadron.