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. ...

Spitfire Voices represents an important oral history of the Spitfire from the fighter pilots perspective. Drawing upon the personal letters diaries & memories of their families & comrades the author recounts the deeply moving stories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The book features the whole range of combat experienced by Spitfire pilots from air combat to ground attack deck-landings crashes & bail-outs victories & defeats. Copiously illustrated with photographs from the albums of the pilots concerned Spitfire Voices represents exactly what it was like flying to war in a Spitfire
- in the words of those who lived to tell their tales.

Includes:: 169 photographs


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This is the incredible true story of a wartime sisterhood of women pilots: a group of courageous pioneers who took exceptional risks to fly Spitfires Hurricanes & Lancasters to the frontlines of World War II. The women pilots of Air Transport Auxiliary came from all countries & backgrounds. Although not allowed into combat they demonstrated astonishing bravery in their supporting role: flying unarmed without radios or instruments & at the mercy of the weather & enemy aircraft they delivered battle-ready planes to their male counterparts the fighter pilots of the RAF. The story of these remarkable women pilots -- among them Amy Johnson & Lettice Curtis -- is a riveting account of women in wartime & a fitting tribute to their spirit & valour. ...

The Supermarine Spitfire was a classic design well known for its efforts in defending British shores during the Second World War. However while Reginald Mitchell is rightly celebrated for his original design of the Spitfire the role of Joe Smith in the development of the Spitfire is often overlooked. Smith was an integral member of the design team from the earliest days & on Mitchell's death in 1937 he was appointed design office manager before becoming chief designer. Smith's dedicated leadership in the development of the Spitfire during the war as well as his efforts on post-war jet aircraft deserve their place in history. Charting the fascinating history of Supermarine from 1913 to 1958 when the company ceased its operations in Southampton shortly after Joe Smith's death in 1956 this book tells its story through the eyes of apprentices & many other members of Smith's team. Marvellous photographs add to the sense of what it was like to work under Joe Smith at the drawing boards of one of Britain's most famous wartime aviation manufacturers. ...

Tuberculosis is characterised as a social disease & few have been more inextricably linked with human history. There is evidence from the archaeological record that Mycobacterium tuberculosis & its human hosts have been together for a very long time. The very mention of tuberculosis brings to mind romantic images of great literary figures pouring out their souls in creative works as their bodies were being decimated by consumption. It is a disease that at various times has had a certain glamour associated with it. From the medieval period to the modern day Helen Bynum explores the history & development of tuberculosis throughout the world touching on the various discoveries that have emerged about the disease over time & focussing on the experimental approaches of Rene Laennec (1781-1826) & Robert Koch (1842-1910). Bynum also examines the place tuberculosis holds in the popular imagination & its role in various forms of the dramatic arts. The story of tuberculosis since the 1950s is complex & Bynum describes the picture emerging from the World Health Organization of the difficulties that attended the management of the disease in the developing world. In the meantime tuberculosis has emerged again in the West both among the urban underclass & in association with a new infection
- HIV. The disease has returned with a vengeance
- in drug-resistant form. The story of tuberculosis is far from over.

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Its a very hot day & Ella & Tom are cooling down by splashing in the waves at the beach & playing in their paddling pool in the garden. Theres a little blackbird splashing in the birdbath & the thirsty plants are glad to be splashed with water from Ellas watering can. At bath time theres even more splashing to be done! Young children will love looking at the shiny shimmering finishes & touching the different textures. ...

From try scoring records to controversial celebrations Chris Ashton has had an amazing year. Announcing his star presence with an awesome 85-metre try against Australia Chris burst onto the scene & has lit up Twickenham. In his new book he delves into the England rugby teams renaissance a victorious Six Nations campaign the build-up to the Rugby World Cup & the tournament itself in New Zeal&. From dynamic tries on the pitch to behind-the-scenes life on tour this is the story of Englands Rugby World Cup journey from the player everyone is talking about. ...

Meet Splat the Cat! An irresistible new character from Rob Scotton bestselling creator of Russell the Sheep Its Splat the Cats first day of school & hes worried. What if he doesnt make any new friends? Just in case Splat decides to bring along his pet mouse Seymour & hides him in his lunch box. The teacher Mrs Wimpydimple introduces Splat to the class & he soon starts learning all his important cat lessons. But when Seymour escapes & the cats do what cats do (they chase mice!) Splats worried again. Maybe now hell lose all his friends old & new! Just in time wise Mrs Wimpydimple takes charge & teaches everyone an important new lesson! Maybe Cat School is going to be ok after all! ...

READ BY ANTHONY HEAD. Meet Splat the Cat! An irresistible new character from Rob Scotton bestselling creator of Russell the Sheep READ BY ANTHONY HEAD. Its Splat the Cats first day of school & hes worried. What if he doesnt make any new friends? Just in case Splat decides to bring along his pet mouse Seymour & hides him in his lunch box. The teacher Mrs Wimpydimple introduces Splat to the class & he soon starts learning all his important cat lessons. But when Seymour escapes & the cats do what cats do (they chase mice!) Splats worried again. Maybe now hell lose all his friends old & new! Just in time wise Mrs Wimpydimple takes charge & teaches everyone an important new lesson! Maybe Cat School is going to be ok after all! ...

Meet Splat the Cat! An irresistible new character from Rob Scotton bestselling creator of Russell the Sheep Its Splat the Cats first day of school & hes worried. What if he doesnt make any new friends? Just in case Splat decides to bring along his pet mouse Seymour & hides him in his lunch box. The teacher Mrs Wimpydimple introduces Splat to the class & he soon starts learning all his important cat lessons. But when Seymour escapes & the cats do what cats do (they chase mice!) Splats worried again. Maybe now hell lose all his friends old & new! Just in time wise Mrs Wimpydimple takes charge & teaches everyone an important new lesson! Maybe Cat School is going to be ok after all! ...