Also known by its British title The First of the Few, this 1942 film is an engaging, touching account of R.J. Mitchell's dedicated efforts to design and build the Spitfire, the RAF fighter plane whose superior performance eventually won the air war against Germany in World War II. Actor Leslie Howard produced, directed, and starred in this inspiring drama at a time when England had come to embrace him as a patriotic figurehead. His humbling performance as Mitchell--who sacrificed his health in pursuit of the goal--can't help but merge in one's imagination with Howard's real-life death under Nazi fire while on a still-mysterious RAF mission. Consistent with the theme of heroic selflessness is Howard's extraordinary generosity to costar David Niven, whose own rakish performance as Mitchell's brave, dedicated test pilot is a real star turn. For a movie that is essentially about an inventor working himself ragged night and day while the love of his life helplessly looks on, Spitfire is anything but static, redundant, or soapy. A film with a bright personality, Spitfire is a fitting, final testament to Howard's unique image and gifts.

Opening:

"In the grim days of 1940, when Britain stood alone between mankind and the Nazi hordes, a fighter plane staved off disaster.

Behind this plane lies the heroic and unselfish story of R. J. Mitchell – the British Engineer whose story is a great inspiration to American engineers and designers – those invisible members of the air-power team – who toil relentlessly to forge superior weapons, so that their teammates, the gallant airmen, may go into combat with the kind of advantage they deserve."

Staring pilots and other personnel of Fighter Command Royal Air Force. Featuring David Niven and Leslie Howard.

You can identify the following planes in the film. K5054 or K3054 SD-D, SD-K, SD-L

Runtime 1:30