Customer Reviews

Supermarine Spitfire: 1936 onwards (all marks) (Owners' Workshop Manual)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book has five Chapters

Chapter 1 Story

Chapter2 Restore to flight,

Chapter 3 owner's view,

Chapter 4 the pilot's view ,

Chapter 5 the engineer's view

In Chapter 1,

there are explanation of the activity of the during the second World War and about each model

in Chapter 2,

a repair of Mark XVI is explained

The article of the restoration of the fuselage is the best part

internal structure is illustrated by a clear color photo well.

The restoration situation of the main wing is explained with seven pieces of clear color photos.

The wing spar construction explained by a photograph and an illustration

It is illustrated by the photograph of eight parts constituting a spar

in Chapter 3,

about 1.4 million pounds necessary for acquisition.

It takes the maintenance cost, too

For example, the main-wheel-tire must changed for 30 times flight. and it cost 385 pounds

In blade exchange 10,000 pounds

In Chapter 4,

the start method of the engine is explained with ten pieces of photographs.

In Chapter 5,

it is easily explained Servicing.

In addition, it is explained "leak" one page

There is the explanation of an airplane (Mark I,II,V,VIII IX XIV XVI XIX2) existing to an appendix

Having many grease stained copies of Haynes automotive workshop manuals in my garage, this look at the Spitfire is a bit whimsical vis-à-vis actually trying repair one of these marvelous airplanes. Nevertheless, the book provides a wealth of information about the construction, wartime use, and preservation of one of the most iconic fighting aircraft that ever took to the skies. Highly recommended.

I purchased this book to give as a gift to someone who really enjoys history, especially that of the British. The book's finer points have been covered by the other reviewers, so I wanted to let you know what I was thinking prior to this purchase.

Having purchased the car versions of the Haynes manuals and seeing only a one page preview of this one on another site, I was worried that this book would be a step-by-step detailed "tear down / build up" style of manual you might find at the parts store. The receiver of the book and I were pleasantly surprised by how much information and history was contained within. Nearly the entire book contains color photographs and part drawings to illustrate the different topics being written about.

I am really surprised that the exterior of the book looks so much like the ordinary car maintenance books, as this almost caused me to pass on it.

This is a really great find and would have no problems recommending it to others who are interested in the Spitfire.

Writing from a modeler's point of view, I've seen better basic references on the Spitfire. But, considering the book's self-indicated purpose as a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight promotional book, it's actually a fun and useful little publication. The potted history of the type comes from an authoritative source - Alfred Price - and offers a solid bit of background sans mythology for the newcomer and those who think they know about the Spit. For the better-informed Spit enthusiast, however, it's mostly recycled Price.

As for detail information - drawings and photos - the bulk of it comes from modern-day restorations and should be considered in that light. Pilot harnesses and cockpit instrumentation on restored Spits alone will differ greatly from service Spits, and modern avionics mean different antenna fits. That said, the book's photo coverage of fuselage and wing structures, landing gear and engine installations was rather valuable and something not clearly found in many other Spitfire reference publications.

For someone building a Spitfire Mk IX or Mk V, the photos help answer questions raised in other references. As a general interest publication, I'd rate it four stars. As a modeler's reference, I'd give it three bright stars. Worth the price either way.

A superb book that's show the Spitfire in detail with the impressions fo pilots and engineers.