Download or read book A Battle of Britain Spitfire Squadron written by Danny Burt and published by Casemate Publishers. This book was released on 2018-11-30 with total page 218 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Formed at Rochford on 1 October 1918, just weeks before the Armistice that ended the First World War, 152 (Hyderabad) Squadron was originally a night fighter unit equipped with the Sopwith Camel. Its existence was short-lived, for the squadron was disbanded on 30 June 1919.With war clouds looming over Europe once more, 152 Squadron reformed at Arklington on 1 October 1939, becoming operational just over four weeks later. In January 1940, conversion to Spitfires began and after a period of defensive patrols in the North East, the squadron moved to Warmwell in Dorset to help defend southern England against attacks from the Luftwaffe forces now based in northern France. Throughout the Battle of Britain, the men and machines of 152 Squadron, call sign Maida, defended the Warmwell sector, which included the vital Royal Navy base at Portland, as part of 10 Group. It is the period from 12 July to 28 November 1940 that the author examines in great depth and detail in this definitive account. This, then, is the story of one squadrons part in the struggle to defend Britain during those dark days in the summer of 1940.
Download or read book Spitfire written by Dilip Sarkar and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 2019-09-30 with total page 486 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “A really excellent, detailed, comprehensive and moving history of 19 Squadron, RAF during the Second World War” from the author of Arnhem 1944 (Clash of Steel). As a child, Dilip Sarkar was fascinated by the haunting image of an anonymous RAF Spitfire pilot. Taken minutes after landing from a Battle of Britain combat, this was Squadron Leader Brian Lane DFC, the commander of 19 Squadron, based at Fowlmere. Deeply moving was the discovery that, in 1942, Brian was reported missing after a futile nuisance raid over the Dutch coast. During the mid-1980s, Dilip began researching the life and times of both Brian Lane and 19 Squadron, forging close friendships with many of the unit’s surviving Battle of Britain pilots and support staff. Nearly thirty years later, sadly all of the survivors are now deceased, but Dilip’s close relationship has provided a huge archive of correspondence and interviews in addition to a unique photographic collection. Furthermore, the author, a retired police detective, has thoroughly investigated the life—and death—of Squadron Leader Lane. This completely new Spitfire! covers everything we would ever need to know about such a unit during the critical pre and early war period: the social, political, aviation and military history all in one volume—emphasizing the human experience involved and the stories of casualties. With an immense photographic collection—many published here for the first time—this book is destined to become a classic. “The most thorough book about any squadron in RAF service during the Battle of Britain . . . an impeccable source of information and a gripping story—Most Highly Recommended.” —Firetrench
Download or read book Spitfire written by Andy Saunders and published by Grub Street Publishers. This book was released on 2012-07-17 with total page 277 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The true story of the recovery of a World War II plane shot down in France—and the effort to restore this historic aircraft. Spitfire is the fascinating story of the recovery of a Battle of France Spitfire Mk 1 from the sands of Calais during the early 1980s—and its subsequent return to the United Kingdom for rebuild and restoration to flying condition. The full history of the airframe from the factory to loss, the airplane’s operational history with 92 Squadron, and the story of the pilots who flew it during its career are also told, as is the unfolding saga of its restoration and return to air—detailing its progress through the workshops right up to the first flight in 2011.
Download or read book Spitfire Squadron written by David Guthrie and published by . This book was released on 1978 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Spitfire written by Alfred Price and published by The History Press. This book was released on 2012-09-01 with total page 444 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The narrative description and condensed history of the Spitfire’s construction, combat career and post-war service, bought together to tell the complete, concise history of the world’s most famous aircraft of all time and undoubtedly the finest fighter of World War 2. When Spitfire at War first appeared in 1974, it enjoyed critical acclaim, for the aircraft had never been described in such terms and detail before. It was followed by a second volume in 1985 and a third volume in 1990. All three volumes sold well and are hailed as classic works on the subject. These important works have been out of print for more than a decade, thereby denying them to the current breed of aviation buffs. The time has come to re-issue the three books as a single volume, the author ‘cherry-picking’ the choice cuts to produce the finest title on the mighty and beloved Spitfire.
Download or read book Spitfire Pilot written by David Crook and published by Greenhill Books. This book was released on 2021-07-06 with total page 147 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Spitfire Pilot is the exhilarating and moving memoir of D. M. Crook, an airman in the legendary 609 Squadron - one of the most successful RAF units in the Battle of Britain. Beginning with his fond recollections of his halcyon days in training - acrobatics, night flying and languorous days spent playing sport and nights off visiting Piccadilly Circus - Crook goes on to recount in thrilling detail the dogfights, remarkable victories and tragic losses which formed the daily routine of Britain's heroic aerial defenders in that long summer of 1940. Often hopelessly outnumbered, the men of 609 Squadron in their state-of-the-art Spitfires committed acts of unimaginable bravery against the Messerschmitts and Junkers of Germany's formidable Luftwaffe. Many of Crook's fellow airmen did not make it back alive, and the absence they leave in the close-knit community of the squadron is described with great poignancy. Spitfire Pilot offers a unique and personal insight into one of the most critical moments of British history, when a handful of men stood up against the might of the German Air Force in defence of their country. This definitive edition, the first for more than sixty years, includes a new foreword by David Crook's daughter and Air Vice Marshal Sandy Hunter, Honorary Air Commodore of the 609 Squadron. The book also has an introduction by Professor Richard Overy.
Download or read book Spitfire written by Quill Jeffrey Quill and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 383 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Spitfire Smiths written by Rod Smith and published by Casemate Publishers. This book was released on 2008-09-22 with total page 356 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A posthumous autobiography, culled from a partial manuscript and notes, by Canada’s World War II fighter ace and his equally heroic brother. In late 2001 Rod Smith died tragically at his own hand, leaving behind a part-written autobiography and many notes. His friend, the historian Christopher Shores, took on the task of seeking to complete the story as nearly as possible to how he believed Rod had wished it to be. Rod and his brother Jerry both became Spitfire pilots during World War II, leaving their home in Canada only to find themselves—purely by chance—serving together in the defense of Malta during 1942. Jerry had already gained some fame as the first pilot ever to land a Spitfire on an aircraft carrier. Both showed immediate promise as fighter pilots, but by the end of that year Jerry was dead—last seen chasing a German bomber out to sea—while Rod had become an “ace” and would receive the D.F.C. Two years later, serving as a squadron commander in Western Europe, he claimed six Messerschmitts down within a single week, and was involved in the shooting down of the first German jet aircraft to fall to British Commonwealth fighters. He ended the war as one of Canada’s highest scoring aces, with more than 13 victories to his credit. After the war, he qualified as both an aeronautical engineer and a barrister. His untimely death was a great loss not only to his family and friends, but to the wider world of aviation history as well. This book, containing many diary entries from each of the brothers, is a testament to them.
Download or read book Spitfire Squadron written by David Guthrie and published by Corgi. This book was released on 1976 with total page 142 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Spitfire written by Tony Holmes and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2015-05-20 with total page 148 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Bursting with exciting full-colour illustrations, colour artwork and contemporary photographs, this is a handy, complete guide to the most famous military aircraft in history. The Spitfire is an icon of World War II, becoming the darling of the British public through defending the skies during the Battle of Britain. The Spitfire's combat ability and superb handling meant it was loved by British, Commonwealth and American pilots alike, leading to a level of global public recognition which is unparalleled amongst other aircraft – everyone recognises and connects with the iconic Spitfire. Spitfire is a complete reference guide to the world's most famous fighter aircraft, exploring its history, its strengths and weaknesses and its combat performance, using exciting full colour artwork and detailed illustrations throughout.
Download or read book Spitfire Voices written by Dilip Sarkar and published by Amberley Publishing Limited. This book was released on 2010-09-15 with total page 534 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Spitfire fighter pilots tell their extraordinary stories of combat during the Second World War.
Download or read book From Dogfight to Diplomacy written by Donald MacDonell and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 2006-03-19 with total page 612 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: MacDonell's service career began in the 1920s. Shortly before the war he became a Squadron Leader and worked at the Air Ministry during the Phoney War. When hostilities commenced he became CO of No 64 Squadron, carrying out convoy support operations and eventually fighting in the Battle of Britain. Awarded a DFC, he was given command of a squadron at Leconfield to train urgently required pilots. Eventually he was shot down over the English Channel and rescued by a U-boat, this resulted in a lengthy period as a PoW in camps throughout enemy occupied Europe and Germany. During this period he was involved with the famous 'Wooden Horse' escape and was eventually freed by advancing Russian troops.Upon his return to the UK he was promoted Wing Commander and worked on the Cabinet Office staff before moving to Headquarters Flying Training Command. He was then appointed Chief Flying Instructor at Cranwell before successfully applying for the post of British Air Attach in Moscow.
Download or read book Spitfire written by Brian Lane and published by Amberley Publishing. This book was released on 2009 with total page 122 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The remarkable Battle of Britain experiences of Spitfire pilot Brian Lane, DFC. Brian Lane was only 23 when he when he wrote his dramatic account of life as a Spitfire pilot during the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940. Lane was an 'ace' with six enemy 'kills' to his credit and was awarded the DFC for bravery in combat. The text is honest and vibrant, and has the immediacy of a book written close the event, untouched, therefore, by the doubts and debates of later years. Here we can read, exactly what it was like to 'scramble', to shoot down Messerschmitts, Heinkels, Dorniers and Stukas and how it felt to lose comrades every day. Squadron Leader Brian Lane DFC was not only an exceptional fighter pilot but likewise a gifted leader, at all levels. In what was still a hierarchical and class conscious culture, 'Chiefy' Lane was different: he knew everyone under his command by first names, no matter how lowly their rank or status, and in the air he was always unflappable, calmly making the right tactical decision and in the process earning unlimited respect amongst pilots and aircrew. All these years later the survivors still speak of him with an unparalleled affection and respect bordering upon a holy reverence. High drama has never before been so characteristically understated, written, as it was, by the 'Finest of the Few'.
Download or read book Spitfire Saga written by Angus Mansfield and published by The History Press. This book was released on 2019-01-21 with total page 472 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rodney Scrase's life in the RAF began in an old airship shed where he took the King's shilling in May 1941. He learnt to fly at a BFTS in America and went on the fly Spitfires with No 72 and No 1 Squadrons, finally being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1944. He was released from service with a record of 4 destroyed and 3 damaged, having taken part in the invasions of North Africa, Sicily and Italy and a stint as an instructor in the art of air to air gunnery in Egypt before finishing the war flying escort missions with No 1 Squadron from Manston in Kent. Spitfire Saga uses Rodney logbooks and first hand interviews with him and several other pilots. Angus Mansfield presents the unique story of one man's experience of flying the most iconic aircraft of World War II. Complete with thorough historical context and a true insider view of life as an RAF fighter pilot, this book is an excellent addition to any history enthusiast's library.
Download or read book Spitfire Ace of Aces written by Dilip Sarkar and published by Amberley Publishing Limited. This book was released on 2011-07-15 with total page 362 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The biography of the RAF's top fighter pilot, Johnnie Johnson, who shot down more enemy aircraft than any other pilot during the Second World War.
Download or read book Spitfires Yellow Tail Mustangs written by Tom Ivie and published by Stackpole Books. This book was released on 2013-09-01 with total page 370 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Story of one of the best fighter units in the Mediterranean theater, which earned two Distinguished Unit Citations and produced 21 aces Vivid episodes of aerial combat during the key campaigns for Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, and more Nicknamed "Yellow Tails" for the color markings on their aircraft The unit flew British Spitfires before switching to P-51 Mustangs Includes rare photos and color artwork
Download or read book Ultimate Spitfires written by Peter Caygill and published by Casemate Publishers. This book was released on 2007-03-28 with total page 383 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The Spitfire is probably Britain's best loved and admired airplane. It is also revered around the world. This book looks at the later marques that were modified for various special tasks and differed to a large degree from Supermarine's first early versions that saw action in the early days of World War II. New and more powerful Rolls-Royce engines replaced the well-tried Merlin, but increased the aircrafts performance in terms of speed and operational altitude. Subtle changes to wing design also increased the maneuverability and capability of these spectacular models that survived in the operational role until superseded by the introduction of jet-powered flight.The content explains the design details, development and flight testing of twelve models and also contains their operational roles and history. Lengthy appendices will include Griffon-powered Spitfire aces, V1 rocket destruction aces, Griffon-powered Spitfire losses and where the survivors can be found."
