The Spitfire Log

Sixtieth Anniversity Tribune

Peter Haining

• Publisher: Souvenir Press
• Year: 2011
• ISBN:
  9780285640283
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Military Science & Technology
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Of all the airplanes that defended Britain during World War Two, none inspired as much affection as the Spitfire, the plane that became a symbol of courage and determination during the Battle of Britain. Today, over sixty years later, it is still one of the world's most loved planes. This splendidly illustrated tribute to the fighter and the men who flew her is essential reading. It brings together a fascinating collection of writings from Allied aces such as Air Vice Marshal James Johnson, Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader, novelsts such as H.E. Bates and Gavin Lyall and from enthusiasts such as Richard Dimbleby and Alexander McKee. There are details of the story of its creation, a chronology of the Battle of Britain and a history of the Spitfire squadrons. Illustrated with contemporary and modern photographs this is a celebration of the plane that fought off the enemies of liberty.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Dedication
• Acknowledgements
• Contents
• Introduction to 1997 Edition
• The Men Who Made the Spitfire
• Specifications of the Spitfire
• Eight Guns For a Fighter Air Marshal Sir Ralph Sorley
• A Flight to Remember Air Marshal James Johnnie’ Johnson
• One of the Few Pilot Officer Eric Marrs
• I Fought in the Sky Over Dunkirk Pilot Officer John Allen
• The Spitfires Show Up ‘Gun Buster’
• The Spitfire Fund
• The Battle of Britain: an Outline Chronology
• The Spitfire Squadrons
• Fighter Tactics Gavin Lyall
• The Spitfire Summer Wing Commander Ronald Adams
• An Eyewitness to Conflict Charles Gardner
• Air Strike! Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader
• Shot Down by my Own Side! Group Captain Brian Kingcome
• A Bag of Five Jerries Sergeant Pilot R. F. Hamlyn
• Boy in a Spitfire Quentin Reynolds
• ‘Achtung, Spitfeuer!’ General Major Adolf Galland
• The Man in Action Squadron Leader H. E. Bates
• The Battle of Dieppe Flying Officer H. H. Strickland
• Death of an Ace Pilot Officer F. A. Aikman
• Dogfight! Flight Lieutenant Richard Hillary
• The Fighter Pilot’s Paradise Wing Commander Pierre Clostermann
• Knights of the Desert Air Cecil Beaton
• Chasing the Flying Bombs Squadron Leader Tom Berry
• Dicing with Death Air Commodore Howard Williams
• A Bird’s-Eye View of Destruction Richard Dimbleby
• The Shotgun Plane Alexander McKee
• The Legend Flies On
• Spitfires on Show
• Note
• About the Author
• Copyright