As the first Spitfire variant to see extensive service outside of Britain, the Mk V fought the Axis alliance over the deserts of North Africa, the waters of the Mediterranean and the vast expanses of the Indian Ocean off the northern coast of Australia. Initially produced in haste to combat the arrival of new German fighters (the Bf 109F and the Fw 190) on the Channel front, the Mk V had been created simply by pairing a Mk I or II fuselage with the new Merlin 45 engine - so successfully that some 6479 airframes were eventually built. Although often outclassed (particularly on the Channel front by the Fw 190) by later generation fighters, the Mk V nevertheless proved to be a worthy opponent when flown by pilots of the calibre of Malan, Tuck, Johnson, Beurling, Caldwell and Duke, who all enjoyed success with it thanks to its agility and increased armament.
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From the Publisher
Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces series combines full colour artwork, the best archival contemporary photography, and first hand accounts from aces to bring history's greatest airborne conflicts to life.
About the Author
Ex-RAF aircrew, Dr. Alfred Price works as an aviation author and defence analyst. He has written several titles on the Spitfire for the Osprey Aircraft of the Aces series.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Famous fighter and the aces who flew it,
By A Customer
This review is from: Spitfire Mark V Aces 1941-1945 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 16) (Paperback)
This 96 page soft cover book gives an overview of this famous British WWII fighter and the aces who flew it.Separate chapters cover development, modification and operational use in North-West Europe, Malta, North Africa and other areas including Australia. There is a chapter on aerial warfare tactics which gives a facinating insight into the practical problems and solutions employed by an ace in Malta. The problem of overclaiming by pilots the number of enemy aircraft shot down is illustrated in the chapter dealing primarily with operations in Northern Australia. The last chapter gives an operational biography of the top 12 Spitfire Mk V aces. The text is well illustrated with colour paintings, scale drawings and a large number of rarely seen b/w photos. The 12 pages of colour paintings depicts individual aces aircraft in profile and ace pilots in flying gear. I was disappointed by the lack of an index and bibliography/reference. I recommend this book to readers who have an interest in aviation and/or WWII in general.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Osprey at Their Best,
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This review is from: Spitfire Mark V Aces 1941-1945 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 16) (Paperback)
Osprey books are reliable, though some may find minor picky points of disagreement. But for the general reader, like me, these books are outstanding. I love the Spitfire. These books have provided me with hours of reading pleasure--and with a wealth of information. A MUST HAVE.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spitfire Mk V Aces,
By Dave "RocknDave" (Milford, NJ) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Spitfire Mark V Aces 1941-1945 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 16) (Paperback)
A Fantastic compilation history of this Beautiful British WWII Fighter, it's variants and the brave men who flew her. An Osprey publication too, what could be better?
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
During the winter of 1940/41 a major main concern of Air Chief Marshal Sir Sholto Douglas, C-in-C Fighter Command, was that he would have to re-fight the Battle of Britain the following spring. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
victory score, ferry tank, personal mount, altitude operations, fighter units, mph faster, flight commander, enemy aircraft, flying accident, maintenance unit, air fighting, service ceiling Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Biggin Hill, Fighter Command, Battle of Britain, North Africa, United Kingdom, Fighter Wing, New Zealand, Tangmere Wing, North Weald, Operation Calendar, Red Leader, Soviet Air Force, Sqn Ldr James Rankin, Western Desert, Aircraft of the Aces, Hornchurch Wing, Middle East, Operation Picket, Sqn Ldr Eric Gibbs New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
During the winter of 1940/41 a major main concern of Air Chief Marshal Sir Sholto Douglas, C-in-C Fighter Command, was that he would have to re-fight the Battle of Britain the following spring. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
victory score, ferry tank, personal mount, altitude operations, fighter units, mph faster, flight commander, enemy aircraft, flying accident, maintenance unit, air fighting, service ceiling Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Biggin Hill, Fighter Command, Battle of Britain, North Africa, United Kingdom, Fighter Wing, New Zealand, Tangmere Wing, North Weald, Operation Calendar, Red Leader, Soviet Air Force, Sqn Ldr James Rankin, Western Desert, Aircraft of the Aces, Hornchurch Wing, Middle East, Operation Picket, Sqn Ldr Eric Gibbs New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 7
books:
See all 7 books this book cites
- Nine Lives (Fighter Pilots) (Witness to War) by Albert / Ian Deere on page 26
- Battle of Britain by Norman Franks on page 67
- Middle East by Bruno Leone on page 69
- Battle of Britain (World War II 50th Anniversary Series) by Wallace B. Black on page 22
- Test Pilot by Neville Duke (DSO OBE DFC and 2 bars) on page 82
See all 7 books this book cites
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