I think it is worth re-posting the words of an aeronautical engineer who spent a lifetime practicing his profession over one who hasn't:
FIGURE 4.5. Supermarine Spitfire airplane. A high-performance fighter noted for its role in the Battle of Britain and throughout WW II,
the Spitfire had desirably light elevator control forces in maneuvers and near neutral longitudinal stability. Its greatest deficiency from the combat standpoint was heavy aileron forces and sluggish roll response at high speeds.
http://history.nasa.gov/monograph12/ch4.htm