Comments: Hardcover, 232 pages, 84 black-and-white and 84 color photos, 47 illustrations
ISBN: 978-1-4738-9852-3
Price: $44.95
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Limited
From the publisher: The magnificent Vickers Supermarine Spitfire, together with its able partner the Hawker Hurricane, saved Britain from Nazi invasion in the summer of 1940 and irrevocably changed the course of World War II. A British national icon, the Spitfire is the best-known symbol of the war years for generations of Britons. From the deep, haunting growl of its Rolls-Royce engine to the elegant style of its elliptical wing, it is perhaps the most famous and revered combat aeroplane ever built.
During wartime, the Spitfire held an unrivaled reputation among Allied and Axis airmen. Today, it continues to hold aviation enthusiasts in thrall. Kaplan highlights the immeasurable contributions of Spitfire designers Reginald J. Mitchell and Joseph Smith, test pilots Jeffrey Quill, Mutt Summers, and Alex Henshaw, and ace Spitfire pilots, including Al Deere, Sailor Malan, and Pierre Clostermann. All added to the legend of this lovely but deadly little fighter.
The origin and evolution of the plane are tracked, and the story of the marvelous Merlin engine that powered so many Spitfires through those challenging war years and beyond is brought to life. Kaplan considers the phenomenon of the burgeoning warbird movement, a worldwide effort to restore, preserve, and display scores of Spitfires and many other military aircraft types for hundreds of thousands of air show visitors the world over.
There are only a few airworthy Mk.I Spitfires today, and this book centers round the Mk.Ia AR213, which was restored to flying status in 2008. Much of its colorful background is described, as is the experience of flying it, in the words of Tony Bianchi and Jonathan Whaley, who have flown it for many years and, arguably, know it better than anyone.
FSM says: Modelers will enjoy the history as well as the extensive collection of close-up photographs constituting a walkaround of aircraft details, not to mention wartime photos of pilots and personnel that provide information on uniforms and garb for accompanying figures.