<p>One of those aircraft (such as the Douglas DC-3 and North American P-51 Mustang) which is so well known to aviation enthusiasts that it requires no description, the Supermarine Spitfire served in comparatively small numbers with the US Army Air Force during World War II. Its first use was by those gallant American pilots who decided to come to the aid of the 'little guy' being bullied by Hitler's Luftwaffe. They volunteered initially in numbers adequate for the Royal Air Force to establish in 1940 No. 71 'Eagle' Squadron at Church Fenton. Operational with Hawker Hurricanes m February 1941, this squadron was soon in the thick of battle and on 20 August of that year received its first Spitfire Mk IIAs. Subsequently, Nos 121 and 133 'Eagle' squadrons were formed with American pilots. In September 1942 all three squadrons were transferred to the US 8th Air Force in the UK, as the 4th Pursuit Group's Nos 334th, 335th and 336th Squadrons, respectively. Spitfire Mks IIA, VA and VB aircraft had been used by all three 'Eagle' squadrons, but No. 133 was the only one also to use the more advanced Spitfire Mk IX.
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<p>In addition to this use by American pilots in the RAF, many Spitfires saw service with the USAAF, acquired under a process known as 'Reverse Lend-Lease', and in numbers that appear to be inaccurately recorded, varying between 350 and 600 according to source. Spitfire Mks VA VBs served for a brief period with the 31st and 52nd Fighter Groups in the UK before embarking to take part in Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa. Following this action these groups continued to serve there until 1944, equipped with the tropicalized Spitfire Mk VC. The Spitfire Mks VA/VB were the types most extensively used by the 8th Air Force but, with a shortage of photo-reconnaissance aircraft, 21 camera-equipped and unarmed Spitfire Mk XIs were supplied from 7 January 1944 to its 14th Photographic Squadron of the 7th Group. Soon after, adequate numbers of US-built aircraft became available, and surviving Spitfires of all units were returned to the RAF.
<item><hi format=bold>Powerplant:</hi> one 1,470-hp (1,096-kW) Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 Vee piston engine
<item><hi format=bold>Performance:</hi> maximum speed 369 mph (594 km/h) at 19,500 ft (5,945 m); cruising speed 270 mph (435 km/h) at 5,000 ft (1,525 m); initial climb rate 4,750 ft (1,450 m) per minute; service ceiling 36,200 ft (11,035 m); range 395 miles (636 km)
<item><hi format=bold>Weights:</hi> empty 5,050 lb (2,291 kg); maximum take-off 6,650 lb (3,016 kg)
<item><hi format=bold>Dimensions:</hi> span 32 ft 2 in (9.8 m); length 29 ft 11 in (9.12m); height 9 ft 11 in (3.02 m); wing area 231 sq ft (21.46 m<su>2</su>)
<item><hi format=bold>Armament:</hi> four 0.303-in (7.7-mm) machine guns and two-in (20-mm) Hispano cannon
