To find out more about the Spitfire....
If you want to find out more about the Spitfire the following are recommended.........
Some Links-
Website devoted to R.J.Mitchell (RJMITCHELL-SPITFIRE.CO.UK)
Spitfire Restoration (Scale plans for sale)
Video-
"The First of the Few." The classic wartime film by Leslie Howard is available from Simply Home entertainment The catalogue number is 130527 - Click here.
"First of the Few - The True Story" An 80 minute documentary about the Spitfire and RJ Mitchell, used to available from DD video (Catalogue number DD2295) - Worth looking out for on ebay..
"The Battle of Britain." The 1969 recreation of the battle used almost all the available airworthy Spitfires to produce the spectacular air battles. It has been released as a "Special Edition" DVD with added documentaries - You also get the option to see the film with the original music score by William Walton. Production number 10001024 MZI.
Books.
Spitfire books
"RJ Mitchell - World Famous Aircraft Designer" by Gordon Mitchell with many contributions by those who worked with RJ Mitchell and who flew his aircraft. ISBN 0 947750 053. Published by Nelson and Saunders.
"R.J. Mitchell, Schooldays to Spitfire" by Gordon Mitchell, it provides a lot of source material for all those interested in the life and Work of R.J. Mitchell. ISBN 0 7524 23223. Recently republished (2002) by Tempus Publishing Ltd. web site: www.tempus-publishing.com
"Spitfire-the History" by Morgan and Shacklady. The definitive book on the Spitfire, 656 lage format pages. Published by key publishing of Stamford Lincolnshire. ISBN 0-946219 48 6
"Spitfire at War." A series of books by Alfred price. Published by Ian Allan ltd. ISBN 0 7110 0560 5
"Spitfire Postscript" by CR Russell, a follow-up to his earlier "Spitfire Odyssey" this tells of the struggles to keep the Spitfire in production. It explodes many of the myths that have grown up about the bombing of Supermarine`s factories and the start of Spitfire production at Castle Bromwich. ISBN 09524858 0.
"The Spitfire Story" by Alfred Price. The most important book on the Spitfire in recent years, the result of years of research. Published by Arms and Armour Press ISBN 1 85409 172 7.
"Birth of a Legend - the Spitfire" by Jeffrey Quill. A great book by the famous Spitfire test pilot. Published by Quiller Press, ISBN 0907621 64 3.
"Spitfire - A Test Pilot's Story" by Jeffrey Quill. This remarkable autobiography throws great light onto the development of the Spitfire, from the prototype to the Spiteful. Available from Crecy publishing in softback. ISBN 0-94755-472-6
"Wings of the Navy" by Capt Eric Brown. No one can write with more authority and technical insight than this outstanding Royal Navy test pilot. In a 20 page chapter on the Seafire you will learn more about the Spitfire at Sea than by trawling through a library of other books on the subject. Published by Airlife Publishing Ltd, ISBN 0 906393 87 6. Read about Eric Brown at this web site... http://www.setp.org/EBrown.htm
"The RAF and Aircraft Design 1923-1939" by Colin Sinnot. One for the enthusiast only, since it requires a lot of background knowledge to appreciate the content. This book casts new light on the RAF's role in specifying aircraft for its use. Until now it was largely accepted that the RAF was carried kicking and screaming into the monoplane era by the aircraft industry. This book paints a very different picture of an Air Staff exasperated at being presented with "old fashioned" biplanes by the aircraft manufacturers when they wanted radical, fast, well armed designs. The explanation of the concepts of "zone fighter" and "interceptor" are particularly eye opening. Published by Frank Cass ISBN 0 7146 5158 3.
Battle of Britain books
"The Most Dangerous Enemy" by Stephen Bungay. A well presented book able to draw on all the latest research and the documents released in the last few years. ISBN 1 85410 721 6
"Fighter" by Len Deighton. The background and story of the Battle of Britain, it combines the technology, tactics and politics of the battle in one very readable book, albeit some parts of it are controversal and disputed by other authors. His description of events at Manston and the turning circle of the Spitfire and Bf109 are particularly contentious. Published by Grafton, ISBN 0 586 21094 6.
"The Narrow Margin" by Derek Wood and Derek Dempster, first published in 1961, it was revised in later editions. A highly authoritative work in its time, it is well worth tracking down the illustrated edition first issued to coincide with the release of the "Battle of Britain" feature film in 1969. ISBN 09 002160 6.
"Battle of Britain" by Len Deighton. Lots of pictures and diagrams. ISBN 0 224 01826 4.
"The Battle of Britain" by John Frayn Turner. As a devotee of Douglas Bader, Mr Turner's books have always pushed the case for 12 Group's "Big Wing". Read this and make up your own mind. First published by Airlife Publishing Ltd in 1998.
"The Battle of Britain" no less than 11 authors contributed to this book, it is packed with pictures and diagrams but there is a lot of text as well. If your bookcase has room for only one book on the Battle of Britain make it this one. Published by Salamander ISBN 1 85613 025 8.
"Strike from the sky" by Alexander Mckee. A classic account of the battle first published in the 1960's but updated and reissued for the 50th anniversary in 1990. Grafton books, ISBN 0 586 21022 9.
"Spitfire on my tail" by Ulrich Steinhilper and Peter Osborne. A German pilot's view of the Battle of Britain. Published by Independent books, Upton-on-seven, Worcs.
"That Eternal Summer - untold stories from the Battle of Britain" by Ralph Barker. It includes a chapter on CA Dixon and his development of an incendiary bullet for the RAF. Published by Collins. ISBN 0 00 637543 X.
Schneider Trophy
I recommend reading an article "Dolittle wins in Baltimore" by Michael Gough in the November 2005 Edition of "Airpower" magazine. It concentrates on the 1925 race in Baltimore, but also gives a good overview of the whole Schneider Trophy story. It tells of the loss of the S4 in unprecedented detail and shows that there were many factors behind the loss of the S4 besides the possible aileron flutter usually given as the cause of the crash.
Museums.
The Royal Air Force museum at Hendon in London has a Spitfire and a hall devoted to the Battle of Britain. Southampton hall of aviation incorporates the RJ Mitchell museum and has exhibits about RJ Mitchell, The Schneider trophy and Supermarine along with a Spitfire mk25 and the Supermarine S6a. The S6b can be found in the Science Museum, London. The Imperial War Museum at Duxford has a Spitfire on show and flying examples are also housed at Duxford airfield. The Cosford Aerospace Museum near Wolverhampton has a Mk XIV. The Shuttleworth Collection has a flying example.
The Royal Air Force Battle of Britain flight is based at RAF Coningsby and attends many flying displays during the summer months.