Spitfires are my speciality. You need to fly them like you would ride a horse. Meaning spitfires have a mind of their own.
In fact telepathy between planes is a fact!
When two spitfires are engaged in combat, an invisible telepathic line is formed between plane 1 and plane 2. This allows one spitfire to sense the motion of the next one.
Therefore it is important to fly by instinct as much as by sight and reaction.
Just my experience, spitfires being my favourite plane!