The Spitfire Story [Englisch] [Gebundene Ausgabe]

This is by far the most detailed Spitfire book in my collection ( and I have quite a few! ). This excellent work gives a very comprehensive, mark by mark history of the Spitfire's development. Each chapter details the development of a given variant, including the background to that marks genesis, descriptions of combat, and overall impact upon the air war. Moreover, Alfred Price's eloquent text makes for a thoroughly enjoyable read and never makes his subject "dry". Greatest of importance, the appendices following the chapters give by far the MOST detailed performance information I've yet seen in any Spitfire tome ( or any other book on combat aircraft ). The data includes not just the common "top speed" and "rate of climb" information which is so often quoted, but also gives the top speeds and rates of climb at varying altitudes, as well as the critical "time to height" data up to the planes service ceiling. Detailed combat comparisons with various Axis & Allied types are also included! This is the sort of information which the dedicated aviation buff always desires to see in a book of this sort, but all too often we are dissapointed. This is the big exception! An absolute MUST have for any fan of the Spitfire in all it's many guises! The general and WW2 aviation buff should not miss out on this work either. Truely Outstanding!

This is a good technically detailed book on the development and production of the various Supermarine Spitfires. Numerous photographs of forerunners, prototypes, and modifications provide details on the differences or changes from version to version. Although the printing is very good, a handful of the source photographs are not the best quality. This is generally understandable, but in a small number of cases there would seem to be other options, including photographing examples in museums.

The text is easy to read and flows well enough so that it can be read like a novel. In fact, some of the passages are so good and intriguing, the reader is compelled to continue into the next chapter. Each chapter includes supporting documents, whether memos between the designers and factory or the factory and the RAF, or official RAF evaluations of prototypes undergoing testing.

The author is very proud of the fact he has obtained access to memos previously unknown to exist and extensive time with Jeffrey Quill, one of the test pilots directly involved in the development. In fact, the constant references to Quill and quotes from him at times can cause the reader to wonder whether wartime England had other test pilots.

The only real drawback is that the author makes some emphatic statements about minor historical controversies. He declares one interpretation to be "wrong," without providing any supporting evidence or explaining the opposing views. This only occurs a few times, but it is noticeable and leaves the reader wondering what the controversy was, what the "other side" believes, and what the evidence indicates.

Still, if a little opinionated and somewhat overly dependent on one first-hand source, the publishing of the source memos, summaries of their significance, and Quill's remarks are critical to preserving the history. The book is a very important and complete reference that any Spitfire enthusiast, modeler, or aviation/World War II history buff will want.

The book is published in England, and North American buyers might find better availability or pricing at amazon.co.uk than in the US.

Just as "HMS Victory" was never decommissioned and has become the longest serving warship in any country's navy!, so there is a fully serviceable RAF Spitfire still operational with the Royal Air Force in the UK.

Anyone who has an interest in aircraft cannot fail to admire the Spitfire. There is something about that combination of genius of design coupled with the simplest of names which spells out legend. In this book, author Alfred Price has done the Spitfire justice and no reader could possibly be disappointed with the resultant work.

About the same size as a telephone directory - and just about as thick, we are treated to page after page of fact and photograph. Each section adds it's own part to a story which slowly unfolds from the very beginning of this aircraft - an aircraft, incidentally which was originally designed purely to win the Schneider Trophy!, right through World War Two and beyond.

With important contributions made by not only those who flew them in wartime, but also from those who were on the receiving end as well, I consider this to be an outstanding record of a single type of aircraft which is probably unmatched anywhere.

Five stars are not enough for this excellent work.

NM