The little-remembered Spiteful was the last iteration of the famous and long-lived line of Supermarine Spitfires. It was also noteworthy as the fastest British piston-engine fighter to enter production, although few were built before the project was cancelled. The Spiteful had taken too long to develop and did not reach production until World War II was over and jet-powered fighters were coming into use. Nevertheless, its protracted development did allow it to play a transitionary role in the Jet Age.
In September 1942 Britain’s Air Ministry asked Supermarine to improve the
