Ultimate Spitfires
The Spitfire is probably Britain's best loved and admired aeroplane. It is also revered around the world. Ultimate Spitfires 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 aircraft's performance in terms of speed and operational altitude. Subtle changes to wing design also increased the manoeuvrability and capability of these spectacular models that survived in the operational role until superseded by the introduction of jet-powered flight.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 include Griffon-powered Spitfire aces, V1 rocket destruction aces, Griffon-powered Spitfire losses, and information on where the survivors can be found.
Author: Peter Caygill is one of Britain's leading aviation history authors. His meticulous research and personal interviews with ex-pilots and aircrew have led to the publication of many successful books such as Jet Jockeys, Spitfire Mk V in Action, and Lightning from the Cockpit. He lives in Darlington, Co. Durham.
60 b/w illustrations
The Spitfire is probably Britain's best loved and admired aeroplane. It is also revered around the world. Ultimate Spitfires 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 aircraft's performance in terms of speed and operational altitude. Subtle changes to wing design also increased the manoeuvrability and capability of these spectacular models that survived in the operational role until superseded by the introduction of jet-powered flight.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 include Griffon-powered Spitfire aces, V1 rocket destruction aces, Griffon-powered Spitfire losses, and information on where the survivors can be found.
Author: Peter Caygill is one of Britain's leading aviation history authors. His meticulous research and personal interviews with ex-pilots and aircrew have led to the publication of many successful books such as Jet Jockeys, Spitfire Mk V in Action, and Lightning from the Cockpit. He lives in Darlington, Co. Durham.
60 b/w illustrations
Description
The Spitfire is probably Britain's best loved and admired aeroplane. It is also revered around the world. Ultimate Spitfires 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 aircraft's performance in terms of speed and operational altitude. Subtle changes to wing design also increased the manoeuvrability 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 include Griffon-powered Spitfire aces, V1 rocket destruction aces, Griffon-powered Spitfire losses, and information on where the survivors can be found.
Author: Peter Caygill is one of Britain's leading aviation history authors. His meticulous research and personal interviews with ex-pilots and aircrew have led to the publication of many successful books such as Jet Jockeys, Spitfire Mk V in Action, and Lightning from the Cockpit. He lives in Darlington, Co. Durham.
60 b/w illustrations
