Battles are won not by fighting to the last tank, ship or aeroplane but by persuading the enemy to give up. In this the appearance of invincibility is paramount. That, after all, is how the Germans conquered mainland Europe.

The Battle of Britain was won by the same process in reverse. The Germans were persuaded to fly elsewhere by the seeming invincibility of the RAF. We now know how close run it was in reality.

While the Hurricane was a very fine fighter in every way, it would have had a much longer, harder struggle on its own, during which the lack of numbers and any worthwhile reserves would have been exposed, giving incentive to the Germans to keep going.

I do believe the Spitfire played a crucial role in the image of the RAF in the minds and on the decision-making of the German leaders, just as their Stukas certainly played on the minds of the French when they decided not to fight.