Ultimate Spitfires

by Peter Caygill

Overview

The Spitfire is probably Britain's best loved and admired airplane. It is also revered around the world. This book 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 aircrafts performance in terms of speed and operational altitude. Subtle changes to wing design also increased the maneuverability and capability of these spectacular models that survived in the operational role until superseded by the introduction of jet-powered flight.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 will include Griffon-powered Spitfire aces, V1 rocket destruction aces, Griffon-powered Spitfire losses and where the survivors can be found.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781781594360
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	03/28/2007
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	339,056
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Petery Caygill is an author and historian.

Table of Contents

Introduction     vii
Development and Flight Testing     1
A Better Spitfire     3
Spitfire XII     10
Spitfire XIV     21
Spitfire XVIII     34
Spitfire PR.XIX     42
Spitfire F.21/22/24     49
Seafire XV     63
Seafire XVII     72
Seafire F.45/46/47     76
Spiteful and Seafang     92
Operational History     101
Into Service     103
Anti V-1 Operations     118
Spitfire XIV in 2nd Tactical Air Force     132
Top Scorers     155
Spitfires Post War     169
Spitfires Over Malaya     180
Specifications     197
Top-Scoring Griffon Spitfire Pilots     200
V-1 Aces     203
Griffon Spitfire Losses - WWII     205
Index     213