Stability and Control characteristics of the Early Mark Spitfires

[Al Schlageter]

It is dangerous when you need to shoot accurately and it is dangerous when you need to make an abrupt maneuver to avoid and enemy attack.

Spitfire pilots didn't seem to have that much trouble shooting down German a/c during the BoB despite being out numbered in the air over south-east England.

That is why you see the incidence of in-flight structural failure's and the warnings in the Operating Notes.

There are such warnings for American a/c.