Top view show Scheme A camouflage pattern. Black streak marks at wing edge are exhaust from 8@7.7mm heavy machine guns. Being rifle caliber ammunition, this machine gun was gradually outmatched by enemy defensive measures such as additional armor plating and self-sealing fuel tanks. Hence, RAF upgraded subsequent Spitfire models to 4@20mm Hispano cannons for harder hitting power. Main difference is that heavy machine guns fired lead slugs, but cannons fired explosive munitions. Hispano-Suiza HS.404 cannon - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispano_20mm_cannon

Rollover : Rear photo of Spitfire, rationale for tailfin insignia dates back to WW1 since it was first portion of grounded plane protruding above the horizon. For 1940 Low Countries and France campaign, Germans mustered 4,000 aircraft for this offensive including Bf-109 fighters, Do-17 & Stuka bombers, and Ju-52 transports. Allies countered with 1600 French, 130 Dutch, 150 Belgian, and 450 British aircrafts. Unfortunately for Allies, majority of their aircrafts were already obsolete and in various flying condition. Given German full rearmament in mid-1930s, her flying equipment were latest state-of-the-art.

In 6 weeks of western Europe combat, RAF lost over 944 planes with 386 Hawker Hurricanes and 67 Supermarine Spitfire fighters (about 75% of RAF Spitfire strength at that time). Although history records with great zeal of Spitfire contributions during Battle of Britain in late-1940, majority of aerial combat was undertaken by Hurricane fighters. But since Spitfires looked more sleek and streamlined, tendency to give it more prestige in postwar era. This is similar to American tendency in promoting P-51 Mustangs over other WW2 aircrafts like the large P-47 Thunderbolt, carrier-borne F6F Hellcat, or gull-winged F4U Corsair. Hawker Hurricane - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawker_Hurricane

Inset : Tricolor Blue-White-Red Fin Flash carried on all war-time RAF aircrafts, its a legacy from World War I era to readily identify friend-versus-foe aircraft on the ground. Rationale was when a biplane landed, its tail fin is first object protruding through the horizon to approaching troops. Thus, British troops would be less likely to fire upon its own aircraft if national colors were prominently displayed. Given potential rugged terrain where some planes landed in both WW1 and WW2, it was an extra precaution against what British termed "Amicide" (Friendly Fire in American lexicon). RAF Roundels 1939 - 1945 - www.homepages.mcb.net/bones/01UKAV/roundels/RAF_ROUNDELS.htm