The Spitfire was the iconic plane that helped Britain win WWII. Now as the nation remembers the defeat of Hitler 80 years ago, HARRY HOWARD finds out first-hand what made it so formidable

If you ask people what typified British defiance the most in the Second World War , many of them will tell you it was the Spitfire. So I felt very privileged at being allowed to fly in one, writes HARRY HOWARD.