Spitfire: A Very British Love Story

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A love story indeed. It pays homage to the men and women who designed the Spitfire, built her, maintained her and flew her — as well as to the Spitfire herself. The Spitfire was more than an aircraft. It was a symbol of hope, of courage and resilience, and became a legend. With its elliptic wings, it was easily recognisable in the wartime skies and became an icon, giving hope to those Allies civilians watching below. It inspired kids watching to become fighter pilots — on Spitfires. The author could have focused just on the pilot's stories, or how the Spitfire handled itself in battle, however, by choosing to add in some historical facts about WW2 at the same time, I feel as though I have travelled through time, learning more about those 6 years we were at war in a way I wasn’t taught or have read about previously. The way he covers people on the ground too really adds to the depth of what you are reading. Arguably, no other aircraft has created such strong emotional ties to all who`s ww11 experience connected with the Spitfire in some way, and those emotions are captured within the personal accounts and memories which fill this book, and I can confirm, that being up close to a Spitfire, to listen to the distinctive roar of the mighty Merlin engine is an unforgettable experience. The story starts with the initial design deriving from racing seaplanes in the 30s, through production difficulties in West Bromwich. With the outbreak of war, spitfires see service over Dunkirk, of course in the Battle of Britain but then in Malta, North Africa, over Occupied Europe, in Malaya, and even as part of the Soviet Air Force. That's Air Marshal Cliff Spink rounding out John Nichol's love letter to Supermarine's legacy. And what a love letter. Short on development technicalities, but long on the experiences and lives of the men and women who flew and fought in the Spitfire over England, Europe, the Med, North Africa, the Far East and Russia. Their love for the aircraft shines through, and some of the tales will quite literally take your breath away.

First Light: Original Edition (Penguin World War II Collection)

Twenty-three thousand Spitfires were built between 1936-1946. It was flown in all theatres of war, Britain, NW Europe, North Africa, Malta. Italy, USSR, and SE Asia. It rarely disappointed and almost always impressed. Today only 240 are know to exist and of these 60 are airworthy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superma... A superb journey through the remarkable tale of that British icon, the Spitfire. Brilliantly and engagingly written, this is the most readable story of the aircraft and her pilots that I have ever had the pleasure to read in a period spanning some forty-odd years of personal study and research. Truly stunning.' Andy Saunders, Editor, Britain at War Magazine. A fantastic narrative of the Spitfire’s story, and a touching insight into the struggles of the people who made the plane a part of their lives. With 35 years of continued flight operations, we are the longest standing provider of Spitfire Flight Experiences and are passionate about providing you with the finest Spitfire Flight Experience available anywhere in the UK. It intrigued me that the Air Transport Auxiliary had both women and men pilots. Women fought for and received equal pay with the male pilots – most likely the first instance in the 20th Century where equal pay at work occurred between women and men.The Spitfires fame is due in no small part to a brilliant PR campaign by Lord Beaverbrook. He instigated the "Spitfire Fund" in 1940, it was this campaign which drew widespread public attention to the Spitfire. Amongst the people of Britain the Spitfire became a national symbol of defiance as well as a tool for retribution. it is an icon, probably the most famous aircraft ever made. When Goering asked the distinguished German ace, Adolf Galland in October 1940 what was require beat the RAF, he replied ‘A squadron of Spitfires,’ From its first flight in 1936, through the war and to today’s airshows, it is still loved by both fliers and spectators alike.

Spitfire!: The Experiences of a Battle of Britain Fighter Pilot

The testaments of these nineteen to twenty-few-year-olds takes us to a time it is hard to put ourselves into; it is hard to imagine how our own youths would take up this mantle if they had to. If you want to buy DVDs in bulk please send a message and we will try to accomodate you. Screenings A rich and heartfelt tribute to this most iconic British machine. By focussing on the men (and women) who flew the Spitfire, John Nichol has brought a fresh and powerful perspective to the story. And by recording their bravery, humility, camaraderie, tragedy and sheer joy in flying their beloved Spits he has done them - and us - a valuable service’ Ultimate Warbird Flights is a family business with over 35 years of experience operating WWII fighters and vintage aircraft. The Spitfire was a thing of beauty to behold, in the air or on the ground, with graceful lines of its slim fuselage it elliptical wing and tail plane. It look like a fighter and it certainly proved to be just that in the fullest meaning of the term. It was a aircraft with a personality of its own-docile at times, swift and deadly at others-a fighting machine par excellence."(p.376)Partly I think the answer lies in its name. The plane’s lead designer, R.J.Mitchell, wanted to call it the Shrew, thereby demonstrating that, however brilliant he was as a designer and engineer, he would never have made it as a marketing man. The name Spitfire was chosen by the Chairman of the Supermarine company. The striking design of the aircraft is also part of the reason, the elliptical wings and tailfins giving it an unmistakeable profile. Key Publishing Limited, Units 1-4, Gwash Way Industrial Estate, Ryhall Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1XP, UK We are introduced to the Spitfire, of course as a fighter, but also in ground support, as a fighter bomber, as a reconnaissance aircraft, and even, in a lighter moment towards the end of the war, as a beer tanker, with barrels fitted to the bomb carriers beneath its wings. Wonderful book for a beautiful plane. I did not know it went through so many upgrades and changes as the Luftwaffe planes improved. I did not recall the long fights for Malta, or the disaster at Dieppe. While it hasn't convinced me that the Spit was superior to the Hurricane, I have a new regard for the aircraft. It's always nice to be challenged in your prejudices.

Spitfire | Book by John Nichol | Official Publisher Page

I am often asked which is my favourite aircraft.it is a very difficult question for me to answer. Who wouldn't be impressed with the gut-wrenching climb performance of the Lightning, almost touching the lower reaches of space, out of howling along in a Hawker Sea Fury? So I answer the question this way: if God said that I could have just one more flight, my last flight before I die, in any aircraft I have ever flown, I would choose to get airborne in a Spitfire." Pilots, in spite of fear and sometimes mortal terror, took to the skies, knowing any flight could be their last but they did it anyway in an aeroplane that became as much of a hero as the pilots (male and female) who flew them. As the RAF marks its centenary, Nichol has created a thrilling and often moving tribute to some of its greatest heroes.' Jon Dennis, Mail on Sunday magazine.

Table of Contents

All of our two seat aircraft are now fitted with 360 ° GoPro cameras, capable of capturing mind-blowing footage of your experience! While not incredibly clear in the beginning of the book, Nichol’s follows several former Spitfire pilots throughout the book using their experiences and stories to bring life and love to the story as well as connect his chapters. Upon introduction to each of these pilots, there is always the line “and that’s when he knew he wanted to fly fighters,” and sadly by the tenth time it gets monotonous and gives a slow, repetitive start to the book. As the RAF marks its centenary, Nichol has created a thrilling and often moving tribute to some of its greatest heroes.' campaigns, by the pilots who flew the Spitfire,ground crew who serviced them, and the ATA girls who delivered aircraft to the various squadrons.