Indeed we shouldn't exaggerate...We shouldn't exaggerate exactly how many aircraft that meant Only 34 MkIs, 46 MkIIs, and 80 MkIIs were built before the MkV arrived in service with the first of those nearly two thousand.
Prototype = 2
Mk I = 34
Mk II = 46
Mk III = 80
Mk IV = 33
Mk IVa = 7
Mk V = 1466
Mk VI = Projected only
Mk VII = 146
Total built = 1814
which WAS seven months before the planned completion of the Air Ministry's plans The EARLIEST point they planned to go to war....
and still it took to 1941 to be solved (not even talking about the problems during that time).
Like i said before mandate seems to forgot about it. When you plan to go to war you try atleast to be prepared, specially when you know what is lacking.