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#833945 in Books Osprey Publishing 2016-05-24 2016-05-24Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 11.47 x 26.42 x 9.61l; 3.40 #File Name: 1472815491224 pages9781472815491
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Glorious aerial photographyBy John JossThis masterful work by aerial photographer John Dibbs and wordsmith Tony Holmes is an epic tribute to the Supermarine Spitfire and commemorates the 80th anniversary of the maiden flight of the prototype; the famous K5054. This is a great big book; suitable for the coffee table; and can consume hours of delightful viewing.The book traces the history of the Marks in a series of chapters that include the Mark V; the Mark VIIIs; an individual IXB; the PR (Photo Reconnaissance) series; the Packard Merlin and Griffon Spitfires; the Seafires and ‘Spitfire Spectacular;’ a paen of praise for a great collection of historical airframes flying today. The individual aircraft shown are remarkable in that material is included about many of the pilots who flew them in battle; including their head shots; and restoration data makes one realize what a great achievement it is to bring an aircraft ‘back from the dead’ after years or decades of being lost. The ‘From the Archive’ chapter at the end captures many great historical images (sadly; none is credited). An appendix includes further details. A brief bibliography (see below) is offered; along with an index.The photographs; as would be expected from an expert such as Dibbs; are magnificent and draw the reader in with their beauty and power. Many of the head-on shots; with the Spitfires rolling around the camera aircraft at steep bank angles; are magnificent and represent the ultimate in aerial photography. But; in context; what a pity that the authors did not include anything about the aircraft used for the photography; nothing about the camera(s) used nor any information about the techniques necessary to acquire the photos safely (aerial photography is notoriously unforgiving; unless you are Clay Lacy and have his costly Astrovision technology that permits many aspects to be captured).Sadly; neither Alex Hensdaw’s “Sigh for a Merlin†nor Stanley Hooker's "Not Much of an Engineer" is included in the bibliography; though both books belong there and in the libraries of those who genuinely care for the aircraft and its history; and references to them in the text are minimal. Hooker was the functional father of the Merlin and Griffon that powered the Spitfire and Seafire. These two; plus Jeffrey Quill ("Spitfire: A Test Pilot's Story"); probably more than any others; including ‘Mutt’ Summers; who flew the prototype for the first time but is not mentioned; were responsible for the successful development of the Spitfire. Nor are any side or three-view drawings provided; for example tracing the appearance from Mark to Mark—for this; the reader must go to Quill (pages 190-191 in the original Murray edition). In context; though the book mentions the markedly different exhaust notes of the Merlin and Griffon engines; one might long for a CD of those memorable sounds; such as that which Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason included in his book about his classic car collection. If a picture is worth a thousand words; so are memorable sounds (Merlin; Griffon).This fine book belongs in the library of anyone interested in seeing; in glorious colour; the history of one of the world’s greatest fighter aircraft.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Walter SchmidtGorgeous photography of the most beautiful airplane; IMO; to ever grace the sky.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Harold RossGreat additions to my collection of Spitfire Pubs!
