J C MARTIN’S observation (Letters, November 19) that the Spitfire project glorifies war is a complete misrepresentation.

It represents the supreme effort made by everyone (particularly in Southampton, where it was first built), to oppose a vicious tyranny trying to engulf the world. A tyranny that, had it prevailed, would certainly not have allowed him the opportunity to propound such platitudes.

He states that he is uncomfortable with the ‘image’, which is difficult to understand, if he lived through the event. If he didn’t live through it, let me assure him he would have found the experience considerably more so.

It indeed is a statue to the liberty we would not have been able to enjoy, had it not been created.

It well deserves all the recognition it has had, and will get.

D SMITH, Bitterne, Southampton.