RAF AIRCRAFT OF THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN

Foreword by Squadron Leader Mark Discombe AFC (Officer Commanding the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight) and Squadron Leader Mandy Singleton (Senior Engineering Officer for the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight)

A beautiful photographic guide to surviving planes from the Battle of Britain

The Battle of Britain is widely considered to be Britain’s finest hour. At the time of writing there are only two surviving pilots who fought during the conflict. The ‘Few’ will not be forgotten, nor will they be around forever to recount the heroism of the summer of 1940 first-hand. In contrast, the number of restored and preserved aircraft in our museums and skies is at an all-time high. Authentic warbirds have never been better cared for and formations of fifteen-plus Spitfires and half a dozen Hurricanes are not unheard of at UK air shows. It is now left to the sights and sounds of these surviving aircraft to remind us of the sacrifices, daring and bravery of those who saved Britain from imminent invasion in 1940.

This book features a brief history of all the front-line RAF fighter aircraft that were involved in the famous battle and explores some of the major training and support aeroplanes that contributed to the iconic events. The story is told using over 150 photographs of surviving and restored aircraft in the air, on the ground and in unique formations together.