We have to be so grateful to the design teams! The Hurricane was impressive too.
How lucky we were that THEY had a leader on meth and none to stop him giving really foolish orders!
I am interested in the history of the 
design of these planes. Were they started in the respective air forces, in some flying club or someone's Garage?
But the sense to design for 
- rapid climbing, 
 
- maneuverability 
 
- long distance 
 
was so fortunate. Imagine the training in those days: the dare devils and discipline melded together!
Asher