Supermarine Spitfire: 1936 onwards (all marks) (Owners' Workshop Manual) Hardcover – March 15, 2008

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.

My Dad loves the Spitfire. He grew up in Scotland in WWII and knows all too well how the Spitfire and Hurricane led the air battles. He has been around 81 years and has seen it all, so when it comes time for a birthday present I have to try that much harder to find something of interest for him.This book did it! He opened the box in the kitchen and an hour later he was still standing there reading it! It entranced him from the first page to where he could not put it down. It is truly a very different gift for the man who has everything.As it was a gift I ordered the book gift-wrapped too. DO IT! The paper and silk ribbon are a sight to behold and the work was very professional regarding the effort and packaging put into the presentation.Another SCORE for Amazon!

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.

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.

This book has five ChaptersChapter 1 StoryChapter2 Restore to flight,Chapter 3 owner's view,Chapter 4 the pilot's view ,Chapter 5 the engineer's viewIn Chapter 1,there are explanation of the activity of the during the second World War and about each modelin Chapter 2,a repair of Mark XVI is explainedThe article of the restoration of the fuselage is the best partinternal 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 illustrationIt is illustrated by the photograph of eight parts constituting a sparin Chapter 3,about 1.4 million pounds necessary for acquisition.It takes the maintenance cost, tooFor example, the main-wheel-tire must changed for 30 times flight. and it cost 385 poundsIn blade exchange 10,000 poundsIn 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 pageThere is the explanation of an airplane (Mark I,II,V,VIII IX XIV XVI XIX2) existing to an appendix

It was what I needed to finish my airfix spitfire

Interesting enough for non-enthusiasts, detailed enough for serious WW2 aviation buffs. Wide appeal for almost any guy. Fascinating look into the structure and systems of this legendary aircraft.

As an aircraft engineer very informative but you could not overhaul a Spitfire without a lot more technical information, how do I know? because I have recently built a replica MK1 Spitfire.