Spitfire cover art

Spitfire

Portrait of a Legend

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Spitfire

By: Leo McKinstry
Narrated by: Peter Noble
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About this listen

 The gripping saga of the plane that carried Britain through the Second World War.

In June 1940, the German Army had brought the rest of Europe to its knees. 'Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free and the life of the world will move forward into broad, sunlit uplands,' said Churchill. The future of Europe depended on Britain.

A self-confident Herman Göring thought that it would be only a matter of weeks before his planes had forced Britain to surrender. The courage, resourcefulness and brilliant organisation of the RAF were to prove him wrong. By late September 1940, the RAF had proved invincible, thanks to the Vickers Supermarine Spitfire. It exceeded anything that any other air force possessed. RJ Mitchell, a shy and almost painfully modest engineer, was the genius behind the Spitfire. On the 5th March 1936, following its successful maiden flight, a legend was born.

Prize-winning historian Leo McKinstry's vivid history of the Spitfire brings together a rich cast of characters and first hand testimonies. It is a tale full of drama and heroism, of glory and tragedy, with the main protagonist the remarkable plane that played a crucial role in saving Britain.

(P)2018 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd©2007 Leo McKinstry Military Weapons & Warfare Winston Churchill War Air Force US Air Force Aviation Imperialism

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For such an iconic plane that has such a huge place in our history this book needed to be written to do it justice and it succeeds on every level. Such a historical narrative can easily become too dry and factual but the author has succeeded in combining all the technical, political and personal facts that are important to the Spitfire story with anecdotal accounts of the people associated with the plane from many different aspects. It was a brilliant read.

Excellent History of Spitfire

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Well, that concludes for me the trio of books by Leo McKinstrey about the three most iconic RAF aeroplanes of WW2, Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire. I've enjoyed every minute of each book. Each is full of anecdotes, gripping and moving accounts of the waste and magnificence of war
The development and controversies of its development are traced in dramatic detail. The book is also full of surprising facts. I never knew that a Spitfire helped Mach 2 Lightning pilots train how to engage prop aircraft as late as 1955!

Gripping, informative and moving

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The book doesn’t only just explore the genius of RJ Mitchell, and the humble beginnings of Supermarine. The book traces the family history of the Spitfre from the Schneider Trophy. He was far ahead of his time and robbed from us at too earlier age. But also the guys who flew these amazing machines, the gigantic problems of producing such an advanced machine in big enough numbers for the war effort. A feat that no British Aircraft manufacturer had ever done. And how the Spitfire nearly never happened because of production problems. Beautifully read. An amazing story of shear grittiness, bravery and above all pride. Pride of what this country produced in the face of overwhelming odds.

Fantastic Book

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Excellently paced book, fascinating historical insights into the technical and personal stories of failure and triumph behind a WW2 icon, the Spitfire. A great book if you are ever looking for inspiration in overcoming adversity.

When the truth is more fascinating than the legend

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This book is a wonderfully detailed and yet entertaining of this, the most beautiful and iconic of British planes. From the hard fought birth to the glory above the south coast of England this book is a must for anyone interested in the plane or the Second World War. Brilliantly read also. Thank you R. J. Mitchell for your amazing Spitfire!

True British Icon

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