Spitfire Mk XIV was the most important Griffon-engined Spitfire. It was powered by a 2,035hp Griffon 65 engine based on the Mk. VIII fuselage. Given its superior performance, the Mk.XIVs were used extensively to intercept the high speed V-1 flying bombs from Germany. In the European continent the aircraft was mainly used as armed reconnaissance searching for enemy targets.

Probably one of the best-known fighters of WWII the Spitfire had a big psychological effect at home and in Germany. With its great performance the British were given hope of surviving the Battle of Britain and the German pilots learned to respect its fighting capabilities. It wasn't the workhorse the Hurricane was but the great handling capabilities along with its great looks made the Spitfire a WWII icon. The plane was also used very successfully in a reconnaissance role and was the only Allied fighter in production for the entire WWII years.
 
The 91 Squadron was assigned to destroy V1 rockets and on August 3 1944 Jean Marie Maridor a French pilot with the RAF was flying his XIV and chasing a V1. With the rocket heading for a hospital Maridor had one chance to destroy it. He moved in close and fired destroying the V1. The flying debris destroyed the Spitfire killing Maridor. His remains were found outside the hospital he had just saved. Maridor received 7 medals and had 4 confirmed kills, 2 probables, 3 damaged, 20+ vessels, 100+ tanks and 11 V1s.