In pictures: Spitfire-inspired superyacht under construction in Turkey

Turkish shipyard Ares Yachts has unveiled the interior design of the 50.55m Spitfire superyacht, developed in collaboration with British design studio Bannenberg & Rowell.

The vessel is set to be constructed from advanced composites, with hull construction scheduled to commence this spring. Its design is influenced by the Supermarine Spitfire, the most famous British fighter aircraft in history.

Simon Rowell, creative director at Bannenberg & Rowell Design, says: “This was a simultaneously beautiful and deadly design; a fast, nimble response to the challenges of the new battlefield of World War II: the air. The spirit of the dogfight, immense individual bravery, optimised engineering, and even sacrifice – as part of the war effort, British civilians were rumoured to have given up metal railings from their homes for the fabrication of Spitfire parts – this is the spirit of the Spitfire project.”

Ares, which is based in Antalya, Turkey, was originally founded in 2006 by the Kalafatoğlu family.  Ares Shipyard unveiled its superyacht brand — Ares Yachts — at the 2023 Monaco Yacht Show.

Rowell continues: “Aesthetically, the Spitfire was immediately identifiable by its elliptical wing profile. Innovative sunken rivets created an unusually sleek aerodynamic surface. So the story of the Ares Spitfire is rooted in this ethos: it is nimble, efficient, dynamic, industrial and engineered. This can be found in our use of smooth surfaces, metallic sheen, earthy and marine colourways and taut, honest geometry.”

Bannenberg & Rowell Design has developed both the interior and exterior of the Spitfire superyacht, incorporating a streamlined superstructure with dark glass bands and a military grey finish. The yacht features a wide, rounded bow with cutaway bulwarks and an open, explorer-style stern.

The interior materials include punched metal surfaces, leather and tinted glass, with glazing bars and bathroom glazing referencing 1940s industrial architecture. The main deck accommodates a full-beam owner’s suite, while four additional guest cabins are located below, each with ensuite facilities and storage.

A notable feature of the owner’s suite is its freestanding bed, designed to offer 270-degree views. The private forward cockpit includes an outdoor cinema with retractable side screens and glass bulwark sections.

Piraye Sahinkaya Orhun, managing director at Ares Yachts, states: “After years of painstaking development and planning, we are so proud to be sharing more details of our latest project with the industry. As a yard, building Spitfire will allow us to showcase our unrivalled expertise building in high-quality fibreglass, as well as our profound understanding of what makes a safe high-performance hull.”

She adds: “Every moment on board prioritises the modern, active yachting lifestyle – as epitomised by Spitfire’s phenomenal and vast beach club area which can be set up with either a lounge and cinema space or a fully equipped-gym. She is perfect for a forward-thinking owner who is ready to both take on the world at pace, and take much-needed time for themselves.”

The yacht’s interior layout reflects its historical influence, with the master suite named ‘The Boss’s Quarters’ and the bridge referred to as ‘The Pilot House’. The guest lounge, known as the ‘Ready Room,’ is positioned within the yacht’s control area. The main deck salon, ‘The Bunker’, is complemented by ‘The D-Fac dining salon’, which opens fully to the exterior. The guest cabins are named ‘Buddy Quarters’.

Spitfire’s design incorporates open-plan spaces for a relaxed onboard experience. The main deck features two glazed wall systems in ‘The Bunker’ and ‘The D-Fac’. The upper deck includes the Wardroom, which integrates with the outdoor grill bar and sunbathing areas. The Wardroom’s roof can also be raised to increase ventilation and natural light.

Spitfire has a predicted top speed exceeding 20 knots and a cruising range of 3,500 nautical miles. Its platform is based on the Ares 150 Bold offshore patrol vessel hull, developed by Lateral Naval Architects. The yacht features a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system, with twin 290kW electric motors enabling silent cruising for up to an hour. The yacht’s hotel systems can also operate emissions-free overnight, with an optional battery package extending silent operation to 11 hours.

Rowell concludes: “From the seed of an idea which germinated over many years with our countrymen collaborators at Lateral, through to capturing the imagination of the feisty visionaries at Ares Yachts and the dynamic Denison Yachts & Christie Yachts Team, we just can’t wait to see this project come to fruition, and to share both our team and our ideas with an incoming owner.”