IT soared into the sky to do battle with the nation's enemy and now Southampton's legendary Spitfire, which defended Great Britain in its darkest hour, is to be the dramatic centrepiece of a unique exhibition.
R J Mitchell, the genius who created one of the greatest icons in aviation history, will also be remembered by the unveiling of a specially commissioned statue that will take pride of place at the event staged by London's Science Museum.
The exhibition will tell the story of the vital role Southampton's Supermarine works played in the development of the aircraft and the city's aviation museum, Solent Sky, is making a major contribution to the event.
Up to 4.5 million people are likely to visit the 18-month-long Spitfire exhibition, which will use display techniques never before seen in the UK.
Aviation experts are at present completely dismantling an historic 1945 Spitfire, so that all the components can be laid out to form the display.
Inside the Spitfire: Personal Stories of Britain's Most Famous Plane will open on August 15 to mark the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Andrew Nahum, the museum's aeronautics curator, said: "We have chosen that date as it was the day of the heaviest fighting during the Battle of Britain.
"The deconstructed Spitfire will be like looking at a giant Airfix kit of the aircraft and it will show the complexity of the plane as visitors will be able to look right under the skin of the apparently simple shape of the fighter.
"The Spitfire, that carried the hopes of a nation, continues to conjure up images of incredible sacrifice and triumph, testament to the enduring power of the most famous British fighter plane of the Second World War.''
With about three million visitors a year to the museum, the Spitfire exhibition is expected to be a major attraction that is designed to also tell the stories of the many local people who worked on the construction of the aircraft.
The statue, made of slices of slate on top of one another, will show R J Mitchell, who lived in Southampton from 1917 to his death in 1937, leaning over his drawing board and working on the design of the Spitfire and will be the creation of sculptor Stephen Kettle.
"The Spitfire was, and remains, a national icon and a symbol of beauty, resistance and performance,'' said Mr Nahum.
"The exhibition will display an amazing range of artefacts, documents and photographs preserved by people, that reflected its importance in their lives.''
The statue, which will be a permanent gift to the museum, has been commissioned by American businessman Sidney Frank, a great admirer of the Spitfire, who is also funding the exhibition.
