Leslie Howard's daughter, Leslie Ruth Howard, appears as Nurse Kennedy.
First film of Alan Hume.
In the film Leslie Howard's Mitchell says he wants his new fighter to be "a bird that breathes fire and spits out death and destruction; A *spitfire* bird", giving the aircraft its name. In reality, when RJ Mitchell was told the name the RAF had given to his design he is supposed to have said: "That's the sort of bloody silly name they *would* choose!"
IN THE OPENING SCENES, THE RAF PILOTS WHO ARE BEING DEBRIEFED ARE FROM No. 501 SQUADRON. zzzTHE SPITFIRES ARE CARRING THE MARKINGS 'SD'? WHICH WERE CARRIED BY No 501 'MANDREL' SQUADRON. IN THE HEIGHT OF THE BATTLE THESE PILOTS WOULD HAVE BEEN FLYING THE HAWKER HURRICANE INSTEAD OF THE SPITFIRE. THE SQUADRON HAD FOUGHT IN THE BATTLE OF FRANCE BEFORE THE EVACUATION OF THE BEF AT DUNKIRK AT THE END OF MAY 1940. THE SQUADRON THEN MOVED TO RAF KENLEY FROM WHERE THEY FOUGHT THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN.
Several real-life Battle of Britain RAF pilots such as Tony Bartley and Brian Kingcombe are featured in small roles in the opening and closing sequences at the dispersal hut, talking with 'David Niven''s character and discussing their 'kills'.
The "Merlin" is actually a kind of European Falcon; Rolls-Royce named a great many of their aircraft engines after birds of prey.
The film's closing epilogue is a famous quote from Winston Churchill. It states: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." 'Winston Churchill'
The film's opening prologue is a quote from Alexander de Seversky. It states: "In the grim days of 1940, when Britain stood alone between mankind and the Nazi hordes, a fighter plane staved off disaster. Behind this plane lies the heroic and unselfish story of R.J. Mitchell - - the British Engineer whose story is a great inspiration to American engineers and designers - - those invisible members of the air-power team - - who toil relentlessly to forger superiors weapons, so that their teammates, the gallant air-men, may go into combat with the kind of advantage they deserve." MAJOR ALEXANDER P. DE SEVERSKY
This film's opening credits state: "Starring pilots and other personnel of Fighter Command Royal Air Force."
This is the last on screen performance of Leslie Howard.