Story of the Spitfire

An Operational and Combat History

Ken Delve

$75

Hardback

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English

Pen & Sword Books Ltd
01 February 2025

Air forces & warfare

To many people the Supermarine Spitfire was Britain's saviour during the Battle of Britain and the embodiment of air combat during the Second World War. The Story of the Spitfire presents a thrilling appraisal of this unique aircraft, focusing on its fighting capability and the tactics of the pilots who flew it. Using official evaluations and reports, alongside technical and tactical developments, plus the recollections of Spitfire pilots, Ken Delve provides a fascinating insight into the combat career of this legendary aircraft.

Despite some problems with their new aircraft, the Fighter Command pilots of 1938 were generally delighted with the Spitfire speed, manoeuvrability and firepower were all far greater than they had been with the earlier biplanes. In tactics and training the RAF was outdated, but it adapted quickly and the air battles over Britain in late 1940 forged the Spitfire legend. How justified was the legend? There were only nineteen Spitfire squadrons in Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain; it was only later, as the RAF turned to the offensive, that the number of Spitfire units increased dramatically.

At certain times the combat initiative was lost to improved Messerschmitt Bf 109s and Focke-Wulf Fw 190s, but with increased performance and better training, the Spitfire clawed back the advantage. By 1944 the Spitfire was operating as a fighter-bomber in various theatres of war, with new tactics and new problems. Many fighter pilots thought that having bombs strapped under the aircraft verged on an insult but with aerial targets in short supply, this was the most effective, if risky, way of taking the war to the enemy.

After the war the Spitfire saw action right up to 1948 in the Arab-Israeli War. Today there are approximately seventy airworthy Spitfires in existence and R.J. Mitchell's remarkable aircraft is still the highlight of flying displays around the world.

AUTHOR: Ken Delve is an ex RAF Tornado Bomber Pilot. He has written over 16 books and many magazine articles on aviation subjects. He has recently retired from a senior editorial position with Key Publishing, Britain's largest publisher of aviation magazines.

64 illustrations

By: Ken Delve
Imprint: Pen & Sword Books Ltd
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781036150044
ISBN 10: 1036150046
Pages: 272
Publication Date: 01 February 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified

Ken Delve is an ex RAF Tornado Bomber Pilot. He has written over 16 books and many magazine articles on aviation subjects. He has recently retired from a senior editorial position with Key Publishing, Britain's largest publisher of aviation magazines.

Reviews for Story of the Spitfire: An Operational and Combat History

""...you'll learn about the design decisions as well as trade-offs. A great deal of thought went into armament...""-- ""Historical Miniatures Gaming Society""