Spitfire W3333 ‘Hendon Pegasus’, one of four Spitfires bought by the people of Hendon
Inspired by the deeds of RAF fighter pilots doing battle with the Luftwaffe the length and breadth of the country, and often witnessing such deeds, the British public were captivated by one fighter: the iconic Supermarine Spitfire. Somehow, the Spitfire’s graceful lines and associated glamour of the men who flew them into battle outshone another aircraft that arguably bore the brunt of the battle: the purposefully pugnacious Hurricane. Even the Luftwaffe fell into the lure of the Spitfire with ‘Spitfire snobbery’; downed pilots and aircrew only wanting to tell they had been downed by Spitfires. Even if it had been a Hurricane! As far as the British public were concerned, the Spitfire saved the day in 1940 and became their darling: revered, cherished and almost worshipped.
“AS FAR AS THE BRITISH PUBLIC WERE CONCERNED, THE SPITFIRE SAVED THE DAY IN 1940”