Read the forum code of contact
By: - 16th June 2010 at 13:57 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Well I always reach for Morgan and Shacklady's little work.
By: - 16th June 2010 at 13:58 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Surely it has to be Key Published tome by Eric Morgan and Edward Shacklady?
For me, this IS the definitive book on the type, but would complement it with Air Britain's "Spitfire International" book
By: - 16th June 2010 at 16:40 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Bruce Robertson's book on the Spitfire will always be my favorite.
It covers more of what the original poster is asking. Spit the History is a great book too, but it's lacks the personal stories etc.
By: - 16th June 2010 at 17:09 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Spitfire - Portrait of a legend, by Leo McKinstry is rather good.
By: - 16th June 2010 at 17:18 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
My best book on the Spitfire is "Spitfire - the Story of a famous Fighter" By Bruce Robertson published 1960 . I have a 3rd Edition 1973 purchased for £3 in 1983. Cover Price £5.
But I hope the best is yet to come.
By: - 16th June 2010 at 17:30 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I have just picked up reading this after putting it down about a year ago..
Whilst many purists would likely poo-poo it, I think it gives a nice gentle introduction and overview to the subject.
By: - 16th June 2010 at 17:35 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Alfred Price
the "Spitfire Story" is always a winner with me, the big Key book is a bible for checking technical details etc for me, but the Alfred Price book is a better "read" IMPO.
By: - 16th June 2010 at 17:52 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Although not a Spitfire book, but does have lots of good Spitfire paintings.
Robert Taylor's Battle of Britain Commemorative Edition Paintings is on sale in WH Smiths for £14.99.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Robert-Taylors-Battle-Britain-Celebrated/dp/0715336193
By: - 16th June 2010 at 18:09 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Morgan and Shacklady is the Spitaholics bible, in my view. I picked up an 'as new' copy a few years ago on Amazon for £18 plus p&p.
By: - 16th June 2010 at 19:29 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
'Birth of a Legend: The Spitfire' by Jeffrey Quill is a very interesting and readable account of the Spitfire and there was no one better qualified to write it.
By: - 16th June 2010 at 21:14 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Boys book of spitfires, by mk12, also available in large print for the more senior readers....
By: - 16th June 2010 at 23:20 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
the "Spitfire Story" is always a winner with me, the big Key book is a bible for checking technical details etc for me, but the Alfred Price book is a better "read" IMPO.
This one. Interesting to see that there's two versions kicking about as well.
By: - 16th June 2010 at 23:21 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Spitfire books.
I have a copy of " Spitfire - A Complete Fighting History " by Alfred Price. ISBN 1 85648 015 1.
This combines two books by Ian Allan written in 1974 and 1986. :)
By: - 17th June 2010 at 03:12 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Birth of a Legend by Jeffery quill has to be the best read but not a lot of "pretty pictures"....................
I also quite like my Haynes Manual. Fist time I ever saw the main spar construction Brilliant piece of engineering!!
By: - 18th June 2010 at 08:53 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Thanks for all the great input people!:)
I have read one of the Jeffrey Quill books myself, and though doubtless unbeatable, I'm not quite sure it is what is required.
The Morgan / Shacklady book appears to be the broadest tome.
Posts: 10,647
By: pagen01 - 16th June 2010 at 13:37
Which book would forumites say is the best all round book on the Supermarine Spitfire?
That is it covers most of the aspects of design, construction, RAF & foreign service, individual historys, personalities involved, survivors, perhaps a bit on Seafires and FAA etc - the definitive book as it were.
Mark12s book dosen't count as not available yet!;)
I'm asking on behalf of a friend, honest!:o