Falkland Islands 2008 - 70th Anniversary of the Spitfire - Uncirculated Cupro Nickel Coin

Possibly the most famous combat aircraft in history, the Spitfire was designed by Reginald Mitchell (1895-1937) using the new Rolls Royce PV.12 engine, later named the Merlin.  It was the first all-metal stressed-skin fighter to go into production in Britain.  The aircraft’s maximum speed increased by a quarter and its weight doubled during the development of 40 different versions of Reginald Mitchell’s original design. By the time it retired from active service in 1954, more than 20,000 Spitfires had been manufactured in Britain.

Although production stopped in the 1950s, the Spitfire has retained its fame through countless war movies, flypasts at air-shows and model enthusiasts, who have been producing self-assembly Spitfire kits for more than 50 years. Celebrating its 70th anniversary we are reminded of the crucial role it played in the air defence of Britain at a time of dire national peril.  

St. Paul’s was said to be protected by the Angels as despite the ferocity of the blitz it never received a direct hit from enemy bombing.  It is particularly apt that St. Paul’s should have just been celebrating its Tercentenary.