A major new memorial consisting of a life-sized replica Spitfire commemorating the production of ‘Secret Spitfires’ and the thousands of workers who built them will be unveiled in Salisbury on 9 July.

A memorial for the production of ‘Secret Spitfires’ and the workers who built them will be unveiled in Salisbury on 9 July.  This coincides with the placing of 11 plaques, marking the locations where Spitfires were secretly constructed in response to the bombing of the main Supermarine factory in Southampton.

The iconic Spitfire is the most famous British fighter aircraft in history.  They were critical in defeating the German Luftwaffe air attacks during the Battle of Britain in 1940, soon becoming a symbol of freedom.  More Spitfires were built than any other British combat aircraft before or since World War Two and by July 1940, RAF Fighter Command had nineteen Spitfire MkI squadrons available.

Thousands of workers consisting largely of unqualified young girls and women built over 2500 Spitfires in Salisbury, Trowbridge and Reading.  They had to hide their activity from the enemy, working from within sheds, workshops, garages, bus depots and a hotel.

Below is a video with more detail and words from some of the workers making the secret Spitfires.

SOURCE RAF UK MoD