Spitfire Aces of Northwest Europe 1944-45

by Andrew Thomas, Chris Thomas (Illustrator), Mark Postlethwaite (Illustrator)

Overview

This book traces the achievements of the pilots flying the iconic Spitfire in Northwest Europe, and examines how the steady technological improvements that were made throughout the Spitfire's service life improved its capabilities in the air. Based at airfields throughout southern England, Merlin engine Spitfires provided the bulk of the air cover for the D-Day landings and it was an RCAF Spitfire which claimed the first ever ME 262 jet kill. 36 colour profiles covering a broad spectrum of nationalities, units, pilots, theatres and markings complement thorough research throughout this comprehensive account of these crucial fighter aircraft.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782003403
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	09/20/2014
Series:	Aircraft of the Aces , #122
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	96
File size:	15 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Andrew Thomas joined the RAF to fly straight from school and he has maintained his enthusiastic interest in the history and development of the Service from which he has recently retired. Specialising in the history of the RAF and the Commonwealth Air Forces, he has previously published more than a dozen volumes in the Osprey Aircraft of the Aces series.

Chris Thomas has had profile illustrations published in Air Enthusiast, Aeroplane Monthly, Flypast and Le Fana de l'Aviation. He also illustrated the 2nd Tactical Air Force series with more than 90 profiles of the various types employed by that force.
Mark Postlethwaite was born in Leicestershire in 1964 and has developed a lifelong passion for aviation history. He first worked as a photographer before turning his attention solely to artwork, and is now highly regarded in his field for the quality and accuracy of his work. He became the youngest elected member of the Guild of Aviation Artists in 1991. Mark is a valued Osprey artist and has contributed to more than 100 of its books.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Early Encounters 6

Chapter 2 Preparing For Invasion 12

Chapter 3 Normandy 21

Chapter 4 On to the Rhine 52

Chapter 5 Into the Reich 70

Chapter 6 Surrender 83

Appendices 87

Colour Plate Commentary 90

Index 95

Editorial Reviews

This book is yet again what one comes to expect from the Osprey 'Aces' series. A well-written narrative of this particular part of the War, interspersed with many stories about individual aces (many in their own words). All this is complemented by nicely-done color plates, lots of good photos, and a few useful appendices.” —IPMS/USA

From the Publisher