The Supermarine Spitfire is one of the most legendary fighter aircraft of all time. First flown shortly before the start of the Second World War, interest in this remarkable aircraft remains unabated. Designed as a close-range interceptor, the Spitfire actually performed tasks that its designer, R.J. Mitchell, had never intended. These included service as a long-range bomber escort, fighter-bomber, night fighter and reconnaissance aircraft; there was even a naval version, the Seafire, which flew from aircraft carriers. The Spitfire flew and fought on all fronts, in all theatres of war even on the Eastern Front, where examples of the Mk.Vb, which had been supplied to the Russians under the Lend-Lease programme, were used by the Soviet Air Force. The combat honours awarded to the Spitfire cover all the major battles and campaigns of the Second World War, from the Battle of Britain to the fighting in the deserts of West Africa and the jungles of Burma. In addition, the Spitfire was used by many other countries, including the United States. The Spitfire was developed in twenty-four variants and remained in service with many air forces long after 1945. No wonder, then, that the fascination with R.J. Mitchell's little fighter is not only enduring but global. Countless photos were taken of the Spitfire, including countless high-quality press photos. During the Second World War, however, photography was prohibited on military grounds yet some employees, both flight and ground personnel, secretly took snapshots. These amateur photographs form the basis of this book and offer us an authentic and unadulterated glimpse into the past.
