Quantity Production of the Spitfire I: Notes on the System Adopted by Vickers‐Armstrongs Ltd.

A GREAT deal has been said recently about the decentralized production scheme developed by Vickers‐Armstrongs Ltd. and approved by the Air Ministry, so that we are particularly pleased to be able to give an outline of its operation on one of the first types to be so constructed in series. It is common practice to sub‐contract minor assemblies and specialized work, but, in the case of the Spitfire I, many major assemblies such as main planes, all control surfaces, engine mountings and tail units are made out and brought together to be assembled at Woolston, Itchen or Eastleigh.