Spitfire: the One

Someone once wrote: "The Spitfire is as much a British national hero as Wellington, Nelson or Montgomery. It has become the recognisable icon of the Second World War for several generations of Britons. From the throaty growl of its Rolls-Royce Merlin or Griffon engine to its beautifully tapered elliptical wings, the Spitfire is a true aeronautical thoroughbred. Regarded by many as the saviour of the nation 'in its darkest hour', the Spitfire is without doubt the most famous combat aircraft ever produced in Britain and probably anywhere else.""Spitfire: The One", the new title from Philip Kaplan, leading author of many books on aviation, military and naval history, is a result of his collaboration with shipping magnate, Peter Livanos, himself a collector of classic aircraft. It is centred on Livanos' Spitfire, the only airworthy Mk I in the world, and its restoration.This heavily illustrated new book presents the Spitfire as an aircraft type in an attractive, colourful format. Like the restoration itself, nothing has been spared in producing an unusually handsome book to celebrate all aspects of the Spitfire legend and the Livanos example of it.Of the many books that have been written about the Spitfire, relatively few might be considered appropriate tributes to the fighter which, along with its partner the Hawker Hurricane, saved Britain from Nazi invasion, changing the course of the Second World War. "Spitfire: The One" joins those special few in bringing a unique look at R.J. Mitchell's lovely, deadly creation.

Table of Contents:
MYSTIQUE explores the popular perception of the Spitfire and its role as a major British icon during and since the war; its reputation and charisma; what the German airmen thought of it, and why it retains its allure today; AR213 outlines the career of the Livanos Spitfire, from the Westland factory through the war years and postwar activity to the recent restoration; R.J. MITCHELL introduces the plane's creator and traces the evolution of the fighter from the early days of Supermarine, through the historic Schneider Trophy races, the developing requirement for a new fighter for the Royal Air Force in the mid-1930s and Mitchell's tragic early death. With comments by his son, Dr Gordon Mitchell; EARLY SPITFIRE is a glimpse of K5054, the prototype aeroplane, and the use of Spitfires between 1936 and 1940; SUMMER 1940 looks at participation of the early Spitfires in the Battle of Britain, epic air combat and a powerful learning experience for the pilots, commanders, ground crew, the Air Ministry and the manufacturer; FLYING SPITFIRE is a thoughtful, sensitive narrative by Tony Bianchi and others on flying AR213 over the years; what it is like to fly and how it compares to flying other fighters and other Spitfires of various marques; SPITFIRE IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR follows the uses of the type in different roles and theatres of operations, its strengths and weaknesses, and accomplishments; TEST PILOT provides perspectives of airmen who flew, evaluated and depended upon the Spitfire including Jeffrey Quill and Alex Henshaw. It focuses on Henshaw in his role as Chief Test Pilot for the Spitfire programme at Castle Bromwich, near Birmingham, where nearly 11,700 Spitfires were produced and 34,000 test flights were performed during the war; MERLIN tells of the magnificent Rolls-Royce engine that powered most Spitfires and many of the other most important fighter and bomber aircraft of the war including the Lancaster bomber, the Mustang long-range escort fighter, and the Mosquito fighter-bomber; FILM STAR recounts the motion picture and television assignments of AR213 with particular emphasis on the Battle of Britain film and the tv series Piece of Cake; WARBIRDS considers the postwar phenomenon of finding, restoring, preserving and operating ex-military aircraft, by civilians, with comments by various war-bird owners, restorers and pilots; REBORN looks at the meticulous, total restoration of the Mk I Spitfire AR213 to factory-fresh condition. It briefly describes the work of Personal Plane Services on the aircraft and the final phase of the restoration as well as the intended future activity of the plane. It concludes with a section of glorious images of the completed Spitfire, both static and aerial.