Is there any aircraft in the aviation world that even comes close to the iconic status enjoyed by the Supermarine Spitfire, a legacy that is as strong today as it was during the war years? The Spitfire, a modern monoplane fighter aircraft launched on 5. The Spitfire, a modern monoplane fighter that made its maiden flight from Eastleigh Aerodrome on 5 March 1936, gained its legendary reputation during the Battle of Britain, when Royal Air Force pilots stood defiant against the overwhelming might of the all-conquering Luftwaffe - an aeronautical beacon of hope for a nation and its people in their darkest hour.