I am going to write every single day & tell you about my life here in Spitalfields at the heart of London..." Drawing comparisons with Pepys Mayhew & Dickens the gentle author of Spitalfields Life has gained an extraordinary following in recent years by writing hundreds of lively pen portraits of the infinite variety of people who live & work in the East End of London. Everything you seek in London can be found here
- street life street art markets diverse food immigrant culture ancient houses & history pageants & parades rituals & customs traditional trades & old family businesses. Spend a night in the bakery at St John ride the rounds with the Spitalfields milkman drop in to the Golden Heart for a pint meet a fourth-generation paper bag seller a mudlark who discovers treasure in the river Thames a window cleaner who sees ghosts & a master bell-founder whose business started in 1570. Join the bunny girls for their annual reunion visit the wax sellers of Wentworth Street & discover the site of Shakespeare's first theatre. All of human life is here in Spitalfields Life."
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In June 1940 the German Army had brought the rest of Europe to its knees. Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him all Europe may be free & the life of the world will move forward into broad sunlit uplands said Churchill. The future of Europe depended on Britain. A self-confident Herman Goring thought that it would be only a matter of weeks before his planes had forced Britain to surrender. The courage resourcefulness & brilliant organisation of the RAF were to prove him wrong. By late September 1940 the RAF had proved invincible thanks to the Vickers Supermarine Spitfire. It exceeded anything that any other air force possessed. RJ Mitchell a shy & almost painfully modest engineer was the genius behind the Spitfire. On the 5th March 1936 following its successful maiden flight a legend was born. Prize-winning historian Leo Mc Kinstrys vivid history of the Spitfire brings together a rich cast of characters & first hand testimonies. It is a tale full of drama & heroism of glory & tragedy with the main protagonist the remarkable plane that played a crucial role in saving Britain. ...

The arrival of the Spitfire in Burma came at a crucial time as the RAF struggled against the Japanese to support the Chindit operation on the ground. Proving a huge boost to morale the Spitfire played a large part in defeating the enemy & covering the subsequent Allied advance through Burma protecting the ground troops & providing vital supplies. Covering this little documented aerial war this book tells the stories of the 54 aces who flew against the Japanese & also those who fought in India & Australia. Full-colour artwork reveals the markings & paint schemes of this most-famous of British planes whilst first-hand accounts & archive photographs bring the aerial battles of Burma India & Australia to life. ...

It is 1940 & Britain is at war with Germany. In London eighteen-year-old Susan Banks longs to do her duty. Her secret ambition is to learn to fly
- to serve her country & realise her dream. But she knows it is out of the question for a girl like her; a foundling unwanted & unloved & dependent on strangers for her welfare. Just as she fears she will be trapped forever in a life of servitude & loneliness she meets Tony Richards a flying instructor based in Hampshire. & when she is forced to flee London she heads out into the country. She is taken in by the kindly landlord of the local inn & his daughter. As Susan works hard to earn her keep & her friendship with Tony
- now recalled to duty
- blossoms into love she dares to hope that things are at last looking up for her. But then she receives devastating news
- Tony is missing in action. & Susan wonders if she'll ever see the man she loves again & realise her dream of becoming a Spitfire girl...



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The legendary Supermarine Spitfire receives the famous Haynes manual treatment with the full co-operation & authorisation of the Royal Air Force. Here is a unique insight into what it takes to own restore & operate a Spitfire as well as providing a wonderful insight into the engineering & construction of this remarkable aeroplane. Presented mainly in colour this highly detailed & attractively designed manual is based around the restoration of the Spitfire Mk XVI at RAF Coningsby. ...

Andy Saunders relates the fascinating story of the recovery of this Battle of France Spitfire Mk 1 from the sands of Calais during the early 1980s & its subsequent return to the UK for rebuild & restoration to flying condition. The full history of the airframe from the factory to loss the aeroplanes operational history with 92 Squadron & the story of the pilots who flew it during its career are also told as is the unfolding saga of its restoration & return to air
- detailing its progress through the workshops right up to the first flight in 2011. Upon completion P9374 will be the earliest mark of Spitfire flying anywhere in the world. It is also intended that this landmark aeroplane will grace many major airshows into the foreseeable future.
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This volume completes the Aircraft of the Aces" trilogy on the elite pilots that flew the Spitfire in World War II. The Spitfire Mk V was the workhorse of the wartime marks being flown in combat across the globe. It was the first of its type to be built in sufficient numbers to allow it to serve in the Far East Australia North Africa & Russia. A robust machine it was often outclassed by the Luftwaffes Fw 190. Nevertheless pilots of the calibre of Malan Tuck Johnson Beurling Caldwell & Duke all enjoyed success with the Mk V & are described in the book." ...

Developed in 1938 from a Schneider trophy-winning design by the aeronautical engineer & designer R.J Mitchell the Supermarine Spitfire went on to become the definitive Allied fighter of the Second World War & ranks amongst the most famous aircraft of all time. This pocket manual presents an accessible collection of fascinating historical documents to explore the technical & tactical developments relating to the design & use of this famous aircraft. Sources include the Air Ministrys original

Specification for a single-seater day & night fighter handling trials of the Spitfire prototype K-5054 squadron fighting tactics pilots log books & pilots notes for the Mark V air group reports & tactical papers. Collectively these give a unique insight into the Spitfire illustrating its durability & adaptability in performing many war-winning roles. With illustrations & an introduction by historian Martin Robson The Spitfire Pocket Manual is an essential volume for any Spitfire enthusiast.

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Rodney Scrases life in the RAF began in an old airship shed where he took the Kings shilling in May 1941. He learnt to fly at a BFTS in America & went on the fly Spitfires with No 72 & No 1 Squadrons finally being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1944. He was released from service with a record of 4 destroyed & 3 damaged having taken part in the invasions of North Africa Sicily & Italy & a stint as an instructor in the art of air to air gunnery in Egypt before finishing the war flying escort missions with No 1 Squadron from Manston in Kent. Spitfire Saga uses Rodney log books & first hand interviews with him & several other pilots. Angus Mansfield presents the unique story of one mans experience of flying the most iconic aircraft of the Second World War. Complete with thorough historical context & a true insider view of life as an RAF fighter pilot this book is an excellent addition to any history enthusiasts library complimented with a selection of previously unpublished photographs. ...

The Spitfire is probably the most famous Second World War fighter aircraft. Alfred Price international authority on the Spitfire traces the life of the aircraft that has become a living legend. From the original design concept of Reginald Mitchell to the first flight in 1936 & on through 12 years of continuous development this extensively illustrated history of the Spitfire has benefited from the help of many people engaged in the design production & testing of the Spitfire in particular Jeffrey Quill the former Chief Test Pilot for Supermarine. ...