Thanks ,Megan, brings back to memory the university years, ah, happy days.
It was a revelation to see, that the benefit of elliptical wingshape is so prominent at higher Mach numbers, hence maybe the drive to install ever greater power in the Spitfire, so as to take advantage of that effect. It seems that with a thicker wing, more fuel could have taken along, to protect the bombers all the way to the furthest targets.
Fascinating reading!