For their
next 'Squadrons' book, RAF-in-Combat has chosen the Spitfire V, but not where
you'd expect it. During the war, the main concentration for the RAF was the
European theater. That is where the Germans were the main opponent and that is
where they needed to have the best that could be produced. Other theaters of
operation had to get by on less than the best. So it was when the Spitfire V was
suddenly made obsolescent by the FW-190. A match was in the works as the
Spitfire VIII/IX but the introduction of this type was not instantaneous.
Eventually, as units converted out of the Spitfire V, this aircraft was sent to
other war zones with the Mediterranean getting them first and finally, a small
number was sent to the Far East where the British were soldiering on with
Mohawks and Hurricanes.
However the Spit V was only an interim fighter until the Mk
VIII was available in sufficient numbers and so fewer than 100 were sent. Enough
to equip three squadrons: 136, 607, and 615 squadrons. Once those units
re-equipped after only a few months on the type, the planes were either put into
storage or used at secondary units.
Similar to their other offerings, this one is a bit different from the unit books that have
been done in that they take a type that has had limited use and cover the
squadrons that have flown the aircraft. You get the same well done research as
in the paper books along with a nice selection of period photographs of the
aircraft in question.
Overall, it is a superbly researched and presented book. Due
to the short lived nature of the type there are not a bevy of photos, but it
does include photos of the men who flew it as well as the usual large color profiles
we have come to expect in this series. Available in .pdf for the
moment but I'm sure that others are coming. A
book I found fascinating and one that is bound to be a valuable reference
resource in the years to come.
March 2014
Review book courtesy of
www.raf-in-combat.com. Visit them for
other great titles
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