Spitfire

[WTE_Galway]

Always read pilot comments with the background of the person making the comment in mind.

If a NOVICE pilot says "a nice plane and easy to fly" he means even when he flared too early panicked, cut throttle and belly flopped on the runway it stayed straight and landed nicely.

If a TEST pilot says "a nice plane and easy to fly" he means there is at least 5 knots leeway between stall and VNE, it only drops in to inverted flat spins half the time ( and at least half those are recoverable) and in most flights the wings stay on, the engine does not explode and the propeller does not go off on a personal joyflight.

In terms of the Spitfire, it is generally being compared by experienced RAF flight crew with decidedly "difficult" aircraft like Gloster Gladiators, Fairey Swordfish and Boulton Paul Defiants.