The left side of the instrument panel is occupied by the following switches and instruments. In the topmost corner are the navigation light switch and flap selector, here in the “up” position. The twin instruments immediately below are oxygen supply indicators. Still lower and positioned somewhat randomly there is the rectangular landing gear indicator with UP / DOWN lights. To the left of it there is the clock, one of the many different clock types to be found on Spitfires. The two flip switches in the lower left corner control the magneto ignition. The lowest instrument in this view is the brake pressure gauge. The last instrument, slightly above and to the right is the elevator trim tab indicator.
My recollections from the SAAF Museum Spitfire MIXe, the flaps are up or down (64 deg), they are held down against spring pressure (on the Gnd) and aerodynamic pressure in the air, by compressed air. If you lowered them on the ground and then selected them up (engine off), the compressed air is vented right there at the selector lever, causing an almighty hissing, quite funny! Of course not heard with engine running. In flight you could set up on a level base leg turn, then when it all looked T.L.A.R (important RAF technical term, told to me by QFI mate in Oman, ex F4 driver – stands for “that looks about right”!), you lowered the flaps, this caused a significant nose down pitch due to the broad chord wing, and she would pitch in to a nice curved approach, if you got it right you hardly had to touch the throttle again until closing it fully to land. Such is the Spitfire, a real lady. (And very pretty one!).