There is nothing more vicious than a man defending his home and family. Hitler underestimated the stubborn grit of the British airmen defending their homelands. The ME 109's were faster and more maneuverable. Except coming in hampered with the weight of bomb loads. But the Germans had to face clouds of determined Spitfires as they entered, and as they left England.In the battle of Britain the Germans had very limited fuel once they were over England. The Brits could rearm and refuel very quickly.
The Hurricanes could turn tighter than the 109's.
That and Hitler was running the show and he knew nothing about military tactics. Luckily for the Allies.
Just curious, was that in wide use by the British military in the later years of the war? I wonder if the chart, which really is very basic, is providing data for the most common model? The initial model produced, etc?That chart is a bit misleading - it uses stats for an early spitfire - the mark 14 which was more the era of the corsair was good for 450mph