Supermarine Spitfire (WW 2): Books - History (2/4)

Restoring a Spitfire - An insight into building, restoring and returning Spitfires to the skies

The Spitfire remains one of the most iconic combat aircraft and to own an airworthy example is the Holy Grail for warbird collectors. For an aircraft that first flew more than 70 years ago it may seem incongruous that there is a flourishing industry centred on this aircraft in the 21st century.

Whether scratch-building or restoring an original Spitfire to airworthy condition, this is big business where aircraft change hands for several million pounds. Paul and Louise Blackah reveal what it takes to build or restore a Spitfire and return it to the skies.

Author:	Paul Blackah, Louise Blackah
Specs:	224 pages, 28 x 21.5 x 1.6 cm / 11 x 8.5 x 0.63 in, hardback
Illustrations:	40 b&w and 260 colour photos
Publisher:	Haynes Publishing (GB, 2014)
ISBN:	9780857332240

Supermarine Spitfire Manual - An insight into restoring, servicing and flying (Haynes Aircraft Manual)

The iconic Supermarine Spitfire is showcased in a comprehensive Haynes manual, authorized by the Royal Air Force. Providing a distinctive viewpoint, the book delves into the ownership, restoration, and operation of the Spitfire, offering valuable insights into its engineering and construction. With a focus on the restoration of the Spitfire Mk XVI at RAF Coningsby, the book is predominantly presented in color, featuring detailed content and an appealing design.

Author:	Dr. Alfred Price, Paul, MBE Blackah
Specs:	160 pages, 27 x 21 x 2 cm / 10.6 x 8.25 x 0.79 in, hardback
Illustrations:	30 b&w and 150 colour photos
Publisher:	Haynes Publishing (GB, 2007)
Series:	Haynes Aircraft Manual
ISBN:	9781844254620

▶  More information on the Haynes Aircraft Manuals

WK275 : The Restoration and Preservation of the Last Supermarine Swift F4

WK275 is a unique historic airframe and the only Supermarine Swift F4 left in the world. The aircraft spent 46 years outside an army surplus store before being purchased off eBay in 2012 and restored by Jet Art Aviation to static display condition.
It now resides with Vulcan to the Sky which draws 1,500 paying visitors a month who will see WK275 and the other famous artefacts on site.

Guy Ellis sets the scene of the importance of Britain's early jets, covers the development of the Swift, which puts WK275 in context, then traces the heritage of that aircraft, its operational life, how it was acquired and finally the full story of its restoration with a plethora of detailed photographs, drawings and publicity images.

The Swift pioneered the second generation of jet fighters and by recording the full story of one special aircraft, Guy Ellis has delivered a fitting tribute to British ingenuity. Ideal for exhibit visitors, vintage aircraft enthusiasts, restorers and Supermarine aficionados.

Author:	Guy Ellis
Specs:	160 pages, 26 x 22.5 x 2.2 cm / 10.25 x 8.9 x 0.87 in, hardback
Illustrations:	numerous b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Grub Street (GB, 2017)
ISBN:	9781910690505

Spitfire Manual 1940

How to fly the legendary fighter plane in combat using the manuals and instructions supplied by the RAF during the Second World War.
An amazing array of leaflets, books and manuals were issued by the Air Ministry during the Second World War to aid pilots in flying the Supermarine Spitfire, here for the first time they are collated into a single book. An introduction is supplied by expert aviation historian Dilip Sarkar. Other sections include aircraft recognition, how to act as an RAF officer, bailing out, and so on.

Specs:	288 pages, 20 x 13 x 2.2 cm / 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.87 in, paperback
Illustrations:	40 illustrations
Publisher:	Amberley Publishing (GB, 2010)
ISBN:	9781848684362

Supermarine Spitfire MKV : The Mark V and its Variants (Flight Craft)

The story of the Supermarine Spitfire has been told across many years and the debate about it is enduring, yet the Spitfire remains a true icon.
For aviation enthusiasts, for historians, for modellers, the word Spitfire conjures many stories and affections. This book presents the Spitfire enthusiast with an up-to-date history of the Spitfire - not just in its design and application in war, but also as a flying memorial and as an aero modellers' vital focus.

The text examines recently revealed forgotten aspects of the Spitfire story; by combining the elements of design, the story of a weapon of war and a revered scale model, this book frames an essential chapter in aviation history. Packed with original and contemporary images and information, and displaying unique Spitfire model collections, the narrative bridges an important gap and is a worthy addition to the Flight Craft series.

Author:	Lance Cole
Specs:	96 pages, 30.5 x 21 x 0.6 cm / 12 x 8.25 x 0.24 in, paperback
Illustrations:	150 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Pen & Sword Books Ltd (GB, 2019)
Series:	Flight Craft (15)
ISBN:	9781526710499