R.J. Mitchell's Spitfire prototype, K5054 first flew on 5 March 1936. After Mitchell's death, | rim Joseph Smith guided the aircraft through over 20,000 production examples. Most Spits -were powered by Rolls Royce Merlins, but in an effort to improve the breed, the larger Griffon was installed beginning with the Mk.XII. The Spitfire XIV was a Griffon 65 powered variant based on the Mk.VIII. 957 Mk. XIV's were built in fighter and fighter recon versions.

The Planes of Fame Spitfire F.R.14e, is a composite with the fuselage of F.R.14e (NH904) and the wing from F.XIV (RM694). It has two combat records. NH904 served with 414 Squadron (RCAF) in WWII and post war with 610 Squadron (RAF) before transfer to Belgium. The wings were scrapped, but the fuselage survived. RM694 claimed a V-1 kill with 91 Squadron (RAF) and later flew with 402 Squadron (RCAF). In 1966, RM694's wings and NH904's fuselage were mated. Restoration to flying condition took place in Great Britain, and as G-FIRE, she flew again in March 1981. NH904 came to the Museum in 1989 painted in the colors of a Spitfire 24 based in Hong Kong with 80 Squadron (RAF) in 1950.