Story of the Spitfire: An Operational and Combat History

by Ken Delve

Overview

To many people the Supermarine Spitfire was Britain’s saviour during the Battle of Britain and the embodiment of air combat during the Second World War. The Story of the Spitfire presents a thrilling appraisal of this unique aircraft, focusing on its fighting capability and the tactics of the pilots who flew it. Using official evaluations and reports, alongside technical and tactical developments, plus the recollections of Spitfire pilots, Ken Delve provides a fascinating insight into the combat career of this legendary aircraft.

Despite some problems with their new aircraft, the Fighter Command pilots of 1938 were generally delighted with the Spitfire – speed, manoeuvrability and firepower were all far greater than they had been with the earlier biplanes. In tactics and training the RAF was outdated, but it adapted quickly and the air battles over Britain in late 1940 forged the Spitfire legend. How justified was the legend? There were only nineteen Spitfire squadrons in Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain; it was only later, as the RAF turned to the offensive, that the number of Spitfire units increased dramatically.

At certain times the combat initiative was lost to improved Messerschmitt Bf 109s and Focke-Wulf Fw 190s, but with increased performance and better training, the Spitfire clawed back the advantage. By 1944 the Spitfire was operating as a fighter-bomber in various theatres of war, with new tactics and new problems. Many fighter pilots thought that having bombs strapped under the aircraft verged on an insult – but with aerial targets in short supply, this was the most effective, if risky, way of taking the war to the enemy.

After the war the Spitfire saw action right up to 1948 in the Arab-Israeli War. Today there are approximately seventy airworthy Spitfires in existence and R.J. Mitchell’s remarkable aircraft is still the highlight of flying displays around the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781036150044
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	01/30/2025
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.25(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Ken Delve served 20 years in the Royal Air Force as a Navigator and during that time developed his passion for aviation and military history. From researching and publishing the history of his first squadron – 39 Squadron, which had played a major role in defeating Rommel’s supply lines – he has subsequently written over 40 books and numerous articles.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations     7
Foreword   Alfred Price     9
Introduction: Fighter Tactics - Principles     11
Development     15
Into Battle     30
Battle of Britain     36
'There I Was' - Tactical Training     53
Offensive Operations - Europe     65
D-Day and Beyond     89
Over the Desert and Italy     103
Jungle Operations     112
Carrier Operations     124
Reconnaissance Operations     156
Post-1945 Operations     163
Spitfire Warbird     168
Annexes
Variant Data and Squadrons     170
RAF Orders of Battle - Spitfire Squadrons     210
Spitfire Prototype Trial     219
AFDU Tactical Trials: Spitfire VB versus Fw 190     222
AFDU Trial: Spitfire VB Clipped-wing versus Standard Version     224
AFDU Tactical Trials: Spitfire Mark VI     226
AFDU Short Tactical Trials: Spitfire VIII     229
AFDU Trial: Spitfire VIII JF299 with Tear-drop Canopy     231
AFDU Tactical Trials: Spitfire Mark IX     234
AFDU Tactical Trials: Spitfire Mark IX versus Fw 190     238
AFDU Comparative Trials:Spitfire IX versus Mustang X     240
AFDU Tactical Trials: Spitfire XII     244
AFDU Tactical Trials: Spitfire Mark XIV     248
AFDU Tactical Trials: Spitfire Mark F.21 LA201     254
Tactics Used by Spitfire Day Fighter/Bomber Squadrons of 2nd TAF     258
Bibliography     266
Index     269

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

The Midwest Book Review, August 2007

“The Story of the Spitfire uses official source material and first-hand accounts to survey the Spitfire's history and development, examining its fighting capability and tactics of the pilots who flew it. Official evaluations, reports, and technical specs join with the memories of Spitfire pilots to provide insights into this aircraft's career, problems, and performance. The focus on its importance in military circles makes for a fine reference.”

Military Heritage, December 2007

“Zenith Press has just published their most recent entry in the ‘At War’ series profiling various military units, equipment and ships. The F-100 Super Sabre is an excellent choice for the series … Thomas Gardner, a mechanical engineer, has written a most comprehensive book on the aircraft. He examines every detail of the plane, including its engine, afterburner, landing gear, fuel system and cockpit. No part of the aircraft is left untouched. In addition, detailed drawings and illustrations plot the jet’s performance, and a chronological chart follows important dates in the design, manufacture, and final retirement of the world’s first jet fighter.”