Spitfire: The World's Most Famous Fighter

This book is not a history of the Spitfire (one day somebody will write it) but a photographic portfolio set in a modern, high technology age. Today, we tend to look at the Spitfire as a quintessential work of aerodynamic art in its own right, rather than as an aeroplane designed to destroy enemy aircraft as efficiently as possible. Its name, beauty, and track record has made it pre-eminent among Allied wartime aircraft in the minds of the British public, pilots, and enthusiasts ever since it personified the spirit of national resistance against Nazi tyranny when Britain stood alone in the long, hot summer of 1940.
For Supermarine, the Spitfire marked both the apex and the end of their brief foray into the fighter business, for despite the efforts of chief designer Joe Smith and his team, the post-war Attacker, Swift, and Scimitar were at best undistinguished, and at worst a complete disaster. Until the Sandys' Defence White Paper in 1957, Hawker effectively regained the driving seat in British fighter aviation.
Today, more than 50 years after the Battle of Britain, over 70 Spitfires of various marks are flying across the globe. With more aircraft taking to the skies every year another generation will hear the sound of freedom and see one of the world's most beloved aeroplanes.

by J. Flack
Published by Chancellor Press 1994 192pp profusely illustrated. 22x24 fine, d/j very good.





Note:
"Long" descriptions, where shown, may have been taken from the book's dust jacket notes, and as such are relevant to the date of publication (e.g. any references to "new edition" "previously unpublished photographs" etc.) and not the present.

other titles which may be of interest:
(these books may be in different sections of our store; use the section navigation on the right of this page, or your browser's "back" button to return here)

Lightning £7.50 find out more