Spitfire Story: Told By Those Who Designed, Maintained and Flew the Iconic Plane

The Spitfire Story is a fascinating anthology of first-hand stories from Spitfire heroes and heroines, as well as the people behind the scenes, from the birth of the iconic plane in the 1930s to the present day. It includes the extraordinary tale of a fighter pilot who discovered the tragic truth of his last flight, a businessman whose blank cheque changed the course of the war, a Royal Air Force engineer who was determined to be reunited with his beloved Spitfire before he died, and a little girl who inspired its creation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 02 May 2019
Publisher: Michael O'Mara Books Ltd

The Spitfire Story, published in association with Imperial War Museums, is a captivating anthology of firsthand accounts from Spitfire heroes and heroines, as well as the individuals behind the scenes. The Spitfire, the world's most iconic aircraft, emerged as a formidable force during the Battle of Britain and gained fame during the Second World War as the sole plane capable of matching enemy fighters in the sky. However, the history of the Spitfire holds numerous hitherto concealed or lesser-known stories of the men and women who played pivotal roles in its development and deployment. These stories encompass not only the gifted creators and inventors who brought the Spitfire to life but also the brave fighter pilots from various countries who triumphed in battle, as well as the thousands of other individuals whose lives were impacted by their personal connections to the plane—engineers, ground crew, factory or office workers, and their families.

The Spitfire Story vividly recounts the memories and narratives of these individuals, spanning from the birth of the iconic Spitfire in the 1930s to the present day. Among these accounts are extraordinary tales such as the fighter pilot who, fifty years after his last Spitfire flight, uncovered the tragic truth of that mission, the businessman whose blank cheque altered the course of the war, the ninety-five-year-old Royal Air Force engineer who was determined to reunite with his beloved Spitfire before his passing, and the little girl who inspired the plane's creation and later married a movie star.

To enrich the narrative, the book utilizes documents, letters, and photographs from the unparalleled archive of the Imperial War Museums, complemented by exclusive first-hand interviews. These stories of the Spitfire constitute a revealing collection of small yet significant histories, destined to be cherished by all who hold a deep affection and admiration for this iconic plane.

Weight: 270g
Dimension: 197 x 128 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789291360