The RAF (full English name: Royal Air Force) is the British Air Force that began to bear this name in April 1918. Previously, it was known as the Royal Flying Corps. From April 1918, they also became an independent air force, not under the command of the army or navy. For a large part of the interwar period, the RAF did not take part in any major military conflict, mainly dealing with communication and transport tasks. However, in the face of the growing threat from Nazi Germany, in 1936 the RAF was reorganized, separating three commands within it: coastal defense, fighter and bombing. From the mid-1930s, the process of implementing new types of aircraft began, such as the Hawker Hurricane (prototype flight in 1935) or Supermarine Spitfire (prototype flight in 1936). The process of building a radar network in England and Scotland, which was later called Chain Home, was started and continued with considerable success. RAF squadrons took part in combat operations from the beginning of World War II, and the greatest success of the British Air Force is the victory in the Battle of Britain (1940), achieved despite the numerical superiority on the German side, and with the support of pilots from many countries - in the ones from Poland. It is worth adding that in the course of these struggles the hunting tactics were subjected to a profound reform. The RAF also made great contributions to the air defense of Malta against the Italian and German air forces. He also participated in virtually every major British land offensive from 1942 to 1945. Independently, and later together with American bombers, it carried out strategic bombing of Germany. There is no doubt that the RAF during World War II proved to be one of the most powerful air force in the course of this conflict.
Supermarine Spitfire is probably the most famous British fighter from the Second World War. It was an all-metal machine with a low wing configuration, characteristic elliptical wings, a classic tail and a retractable landing gear. The prototype flight took place on March 5, 1936. The Spitfire proved to be the RAF's staple of the war, which continued to do well after the war, remaining in production for 10 years. The history of the Spitfire began on the drawing desk of RJ Mitchell, Supermarine's lead designer. The first machines went to RAF units in 1938, but when the Battle of Britain began in the summer of 1940, there were already 19 squadrons of modern fighters at the airfields - together with the slightly older Hurricanes of the Islands, 600 aircraft were defending. With the expansion of hostilities, the Spitfire served wherever the RAF operated in the Far East, North Africa and Italy, during the Normandy landings and fighting in France, and finally during the operation in Germany in 1945. For many Britons, he became a symbol of victory in World War II. This wonderful machine has at least a dozen production versions. The most important of them are, among others the first mass-produced Spitfire Mk.I powered by a 1030hp Rolls-Royce Merlin II engine. It was above all this machine that made such an excellent contribution to the Battle of Britain. Many versions of this model have been developed, including PR Mk IA (reconnaissance version) or PR.IG (armed reconnaissance version). Another interesting version was the Spitfire Mk.V with a Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 engine with 1440HP. Later, Merlin 50 engines were also assembled. Serial production of this version started in 1941 and was the RAF's response to the appearance of the Messerschmitt Bf-109F. Another very successful version is the Spitfire Mk.IX, powered by a Merlin 61 engine with a 4-blade propeller. It was created as an opponent to the Focke-Wulf Fw-190 and was put into production at the end of 1941. This version was modified many times and, for example, in 1944 it got a new gyro sight, an enlarged rudder or a different wing system. Another major version is the Spitfire Mk.XIV with a Rolls-Royce Griffon 61 engine and a five-bladed propeller. Serial production started in October 1943. One of the last series produced was the Mk.21 version. This version had a Griffon 61 engine, a strongly reinforced structure and sheathing, the wings were extended, increasing their flying surface. Mass production started in March 1945. Technical data (Mk.XIV version): length: 9.14m, wingspan: 11.23m, height: 3.05m, maximum speed: 717km / h, rate of climb: 18.5m / s, practical ceiling: 13,200m, range maximum: 1815 km, armament: fixed - 4 7.7mm machine guns and 2 20mm Hispano Mk II cannons, suspended - up to 225 kg of bombs.
The RAF (full English name: Royal Air Force) is the British Air Force that began to bear this name in April 1918. Previously, it was known as the Royal Flying Corps. From April 1918, they also became an independent air force, not under the command of the army or navy. It is worth adding that at the end of the Great War, the RAF had approx. 4,000 people. pilots and as many as approx. 115 thousand. ground staff people. In the interwar period, its number decreased significantly, and their participation in even local armed conflicts was relatively small. However, in the face of the coming war in 1936, the RAF was reorganized, separating three commands within it: Coastal Defense (ang. Coastal Command) , hunting Fighter Command ) and Bomber Command. The construction of a radar network called Chain Home was also developed, which provided invaluable services during the Battle of Britain in 1940. During the course of World War II, the RAF's personnel grew steadily, reaching its peak in 1944, more than 1.1 million! Of course, a large part of them were conscripts with appropriate training. The organizational structure of the RAF also changed - an example is the division Fighter Command at the end of 1943 on Air Defense Great Britain (forces dedicated to the defense of the British Isles) and 2 Tactical Air Force (forces dedicated to supporting land forces).
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