The prototype Spitfire was designed by R J Mitchell and first took to the air at Eastleigh (Southampton) Airport on 5 March 1936.  The Air Ministry ordered 310 Spitfires to be produced at the Supermarine factory at Woolston in Southampton. However in September 1940 two daylight bombing raids destroyed the works killing 110 people. CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO BRING UP THE VIDEO.