The epitome of grace, beauty and design, the Supermarine Spitfire was one of the most deadly fighters of WWII. Produced in huge numbers - over 20,000 were built - the Spitfire was the only fighter airplane in production at the beginning of WWII, that remained in production after the conflict. Many different variants were produced including the Seafire naval fighter. Nineteen Spitfire squadrons were available to the R.A.F. by the fall of 1940, when the Battle of Britain began in earnest. Spitfire pilots were most often tasked with engaging Luftwaffe fighters. With its superior maneuverability, it proved more than a match. This pilot's flight operating handbook, for the Model IIa and IIb, was originally produced by the Royal Air Force during World War II. It has been slightly reformatted but is reproduced in its entirety. It provides a fascinating view inside the cockpit of one of history's great planes.