The BBC drama series is based on the 1978 novel SS-GB by Len Deighton and set in London in 1941 after the Germans have won the Battle of Britain.
Flying over the city was a spitfire Mk IX – but, eagle-eyed viewers noted that this plane was not introduced until 1943.
History buffs instantly took to Twitter, outraged by the monumental error, and switched the programme off due to the lack of fact-checking.
One viewer complained: “Well its literally started with dreadful inaccuracies. That was a Spitfire Mk IX in the opening scene. Not introduced until 1943. #SSGB.”
“That was an older 1943 Mk9 Spitfire. That’s means I’m out! Inaccurate in the first minute #SSGB,” posted another.
A third said: “Hmm, wrong Spitfire in opening sequence of #SSGB. Get the details right! #anorak.”
“#ssgb Scene 1: the spitfire landing on the Mall has Polish Battle of Britain fighter pilots’ logo on the fuselage,” noted a fourth.
However, with viewers struggling to understand the dialogue throughout the 60 minute programme, those watching had only one thing on their minds – the spitfire.
One continued: “I mean getting your wrong Spitfire types and years of introduction mixed up. Come on #ssgb.”
“Was looking forward to #ssgb let down so far. Actor clearly has sore throat and that spitfire was not introduced until 1943,” wrote another.
A third said: “#ssgb not sure that the mk of spitfire really matters, it’s fiction. Most important is the dilemma of collaborate or resist.”
“Wrong Spitfire and a German Dingo already… come on #SSGB #sortitout #thisisjustsilly,” said a fourth, as another raged: “C**p CGI and wrong Spitfire. Poor start! #SSGB”
Express.co.uk contacted the BBC requesting comment regarding these complaints. The BBC declined to comment.
SS-GB continues next Sunday on BBC One at 9pm.
Daily Express :: TV and Radio Feed
