---
title: The Famous British "Spitfires" Flying in Formation
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-famous-british-spitfires-in-formation-1939/
description: Eleven Spitfire fighters are shown in formation against a sky, one large in the foreground, over a caption claiming each can fire over 6,000 cannon
section: Collection
---

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3. The Famous British "Spitfires" Flying in Formation

[![The Famous British "Spitfires" Flying in Formation, 1939 UK poster: Eleven Spitfire fighters are shown in formation against](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-famous-british-spitfires-in-formation-1939.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-famous-british-spitfires-in-formation-1939.jpg)

# The Famous British "Spitfires" Flying in Formation

Eleven Spitfire fighters are shown in formation against a sky, one large in the foreground, over a caption claiming each can fire over 6,000 cannon and machine-gun bullets per minute. The tell is the single capability figure given without comparison, source or conditions.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Card stacking](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/card-stacking/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
THE FAMOUS BRITISH "SPITFIRES" FLYING IN FORMATION. EACH MACHINE CAN FIRE AT THE RATE OF OVER 6,000 CANNON AND MACHINE GUN BULLETS PER MINUTE.

[signature:] JAMES GARDNER
[imprint:] P.I.
```

[← Facts about Britain at War](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-facts-about-britain-at-war-1942/) [Farmers All Over the Country Need All the Help Available to Gather This Year's Vital Harvest - Free Ships for the Second Front →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-farmers-need-help-harvest-free-ships-second-front-1939/)

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