Supermarine Spitfire Biomimicry

Manoeuvrability

The shape of wings allows for different types of flight.

Different species of birds have evolved to have a range of wing shapes. Sea birds such as gulls have long wings which are great for gliding and travelling long distances. Robins have elliptical (egg-shaped) wings which are short and rounded. This allows them to manoeuvre in small spaces such as woodlands or our back gardens.

The Supermarine Spitfire has a semi elliptical wing, this means that it is curved on one side. As a fighter aircraft, the Spitfire was designed to be fast and manoeuvrable so it could chase or escape from the enemy.