Spitfire production begins at Hamble

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In 1936, the Supermarine Aviation Works began production of the Spitfire at its factory facilities on the Hamble peninsula, near the village of Hamble-le-Rice. Supermarine, which had won fame with its Schneider Trophy seaplanes, developed the Spitfire under the leadership of designer R.J. Mitchell, and the aircraft first flew from Eastleigh aerodrome in March 1936. Production was initially concentrated at Supermarine's Woolston factory in Southampton, but capacity was expanded to include the Hamble site. When the Woolston and Itchen factories were destroyed by German bombing in September 1940, production was dispersed to workshops and requisitioned buildings across Hampshire and Wiltshire. The Hamble area remained central to the Spitfire story, with assembly and testing continuing at local airfields. The Air Transport Auxiliary, based at Hamble airfield, was responsible for ferrying newly built aircraft from the factories to operational RAF bases across the country. The ATA's women pilots, who flew Spitfires and other types without armament or radio, became celebrated figures. The Hamble peninsula's role in Spitfire production cemented the area's place in aviation history and is commemorated locally with memorials and heritage trails.