Spitfire Kids: The generation who built, supported and flew Britain's most beloved fighter

The book celebrates the young people who designed, built, and flew the Spitfire during WWII, highlighting their love, loss, and endurance.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 13 May 2021
Publisher: Headline Publishing Group

An inspiring read that pays tribute to the remarkable young individuals who sacrificed so much for this iconic British aircraft. John Nichol, the bestselling author of "Spitfire: A Very British Love Story," delves into the untold story of the Battle of Britain, revealing that it was primarily fought and won by teenagers. The average age of an RAF fighter pilot during this period was just twenty years old. Many of the men and women responsible for designing and building these planes were even younger.

"Spitfire: The People's Story," based on the popular BBC World Service podcast of the same name, employs contemporary diaries and memoirs, many of which have been previously unpublished, to bring the story of the Spitfire to life through the voices of the teenagers who risked everything to design, build, and fly her. This is not a tale of stiff upper lips, stoic moustaches, and aerial heroics; rather, it is a story of love and loss, of young people pushed to their physical and emotional limits.

These young individuals played a pivotal role in turning the tide of the war, demonstrating their bravery, determination, and ingenuity in the face of adversity. Their contributions to the Battle of Britain are a testament to the resilience and spirit of youth, and their stories deserve to be celebrated and remembered for generations to come.

Weight: 604g
Dimension: 164 x 240 x 39 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472281968