Squadrons #3: Spitfire V in the Far East

Author:

Phil Listemann

Price

€8.95

Reviewer:

Scott Van Aken

Notes: ISBN: 978-2918590-29-3, Available at www.raf-in-combat.com 27 Pages, Ebook

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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