The North American P-51 is among the most famous fighters of WW2, and the P-51D probably the model the best known. In April 1944, the Australian Government selected the North American P-51 Mustang as the fighter type to be built in Australia to replace the Curtiss Kittyhawk to be built by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC). If the first Australian-built Mustang flew in April 1945 and the first deliveries began in June it had become evident the number of airframes produced during 1945 would not be adequate to replace all of the Kittyhawks. It was therefore decided to import batches of P-51Ds and P-51Ks from the US and the first squadrons were converted during the summer 1945 but did not become operational before VJ-Day.
The Mustang became the main fighter-bomber type of the RAAF in the post-war period and if the Mustang missed the end of WW2, it would participate to the first stages of the Korean War with 77 Squadron in 1950. This book relates the full RAAF usage of the Mustang which lasted in 1960. Illustrated with 50 photos and 7 colour profiles.

Profiles

A68-565/LB-V: 84 SQn RAAF (S/L J.A. Cox’s aircraft)

A68-527/LB-T: 84 Sqn RAAF

A68-724/K: 77 Sqn RAAF (S/L R.T. Susans’ aircraft)

A68-769: 82 Sqn RAAF (S/L F.R. Schaaf’s aircraft)

A68-803/BAE: 81 Wing RAAF (G/C B.A. Eaton’s aircraft)

A68-809: 77 Sqn RAAF (W/C L.T. Spence’s aircraft)

A68-141:  24 Sqn RAAF

Available as a paperback version with ISBN 979-1096490-76-9

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PDF version is available below as 979-1096490-77-6

(New PDF uploaded September 2023)

The Spitfire Mk.IX is one of the best known versions of the Spitfire. However, it should never really have existed. Its creation can be attributed to the appearance of the Focke-Wulf Fw190 over western Europe at the end of 1941. Royal Air Force pilots were quick to state the Spitfire Mk.V, the frontline RAF fighter at the time in Great Britain, was outclassed in many aspects by the new German fighter. The RAF, therefore, had to urgently find a solution to improve the Spitfire and with a new Merlin engine, the Spitfire Mk IX was born. The Mk.IX was produced for almost three years and would become one of the main fighters and fighter-bombers of the RAF in Europe in 1944 and 1945. In total, during the Second World War more than 100 fighter units were totally or partially equipped with the Spitfire, included the two Belgian fighter squadrons of the RAF, Nos. 349 and 350 and the only Dutch fighter squadron, No. 322. These three squadrons are here covered in 36 pages, close to 40 photos and six colour profiles.

Profiles:

MK365/3W-B – 322 Sqn

MJ360/3W-K – 322 Sqn

MJ748/GE-A – 349 Sqn

ML365/GE-I – 349 Sqn (S/L du Monceau)

PT891/GE-E – 349 Sqn

ML137/MN-Z – 350 Sqn

Available as a paper version with ISBN 979-1096490-74-5

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PDF is available as 979-1096490-75-2.

(new PDF uploaded September 2023)

Belonging to the ‘third generation’ of Spitfires, alongside the F.21 and the F.24, the Spitfire F.22 was developed almost in parallel to the F.21 and was identical to the 21 in all respects besides the cut-down rear fuselage (see SQUADRONS! No. 7 – The Spitfire F.21). Arriving too late to see any action during the war, the F.22 became eventually the backbone of the Auxiliary Air Force re-formed just after the war while the Spitfire F.24, the last mark of the Spitfire played however its role in this unstable post-war era even if it hasn’t been engaged in combat. Its presence in the British colony of Hong Kong, while the Communits China had been proclaimed, was far to be only symbolic. Illustrated with over 50 photos and 13 colour profiles.

Profiles:

PK622/V, No. 73 Squadron

PK497/RAD-V, No. 504 Squadron

PK633/RAG-Z, No. 600 Squadron

PK433/Q, No. 603 Squadron

PK337/RAO-A, No. 608 Squadron

PK650/FY-J, No. 611 Squadron

PK550/RAV-M, No. 615 Squadron

SR60, No. 1 Squadron, SRAF

VN311/W2-C, No. 80 Squadron

VN317/W2-P, No. 80 Squadron

VN489/W2-N, No. 80 Squadron

VN318/W2-E, No. 80 SquadronVN496/TN, W/C W.A. Nel

Available as a paperpack version with ISBN 979-1096490-72-1

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 digital format pdf is available as 979-1094690-73-8

New pdf uploaded November 2023

The Hawker Typhoon was designed to Air Ministry specification F.18/37 which sought to take advantage of the new generation of 2000hp engines and satisfy the latest requirements in armament. This major step up demanded a larger and more advanced airframe than that of the company’s then current Hurricane and by March 1938 work had commenced on the first two prototypes; one with the Napier Sabre, soon called ‘Typhoon’ and the other with a Rolls-Royce Vulture, later to be named the ‘Tornado’; this latter machine was the first to fly, on 6 October 1939. The Vulture did not give too many problems in the Hawker fighter but by the end of 1940 it was experiencing serious trouble with its installation in the Avro Manchester bomber, and as a result the project was abandoned. With the third engine (Bristol Centaurus) of the new generation still some way off, the Air Ministry had little option but to concentrate on the Typhoon, which had made its first flight on 24 February 1940. The new aircraft encountered teething problems and was also delayed by production priorities for other Hawker types during the Battle of Britain. During its early operational life the Typhoon had to overcome problems that threatened to end its service, but these were eventually remedied so that, by the last quarter of 1943, the Typhoon had become a reliable aircraft. Improvements included the introduction of the new single piece ‘blown’ hood, a four-bladed propeller and an enlarged tailplane, but there was no change in designation. When production ceased in November 1945, 3317 Typhoons had been built.At first pure fighters were produced, but, by the spring of 1943, only the fighter-bomber version was coming off the production line and by the end of the year all the Typhoon squadrons were undertaking some form of ground attack role. On the eve of D-Day the Typhoon had become the backbone of the 2TAF fighter-bomber force with no less than eighteen squadrons active. This book narrates the operational usage of two squadrons, Nos. 245 and 266, which had both connections with Rhodesia.

Available as a paperpack version with ISBN 979-1096490-70-7

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PDF format is available as 979-1096490-71-4

see below

(new PDF uploaded May 2026)

Paradoxically, the Mk.V, which ended up being the most numerous variant of the famous fighter built, was not even an intended development of the design. Indeed, it was only considered because of the abandonment of the Spitfire Mk.III. As the Luftwaffe was continually improving its formidable Messerschmitt Bf 109, the latest version of which, the Bf 109F, clearly outclassed the Spitfire Mk.II, the British had no other option but to rapidly find a successor to the latter. At this time, at the end of 1940, the British did not know what the Germans’ were planning and expected them to carry on undertaking daylight raids upon the return of nicer weather. The RAF, therefore, wanted to be ready to counter the new German fighter developments. A solution was soon found by mounting a Merlin 45 (former Merlin III), a simplified version of the Merlin XX, on a slightly strengthened Spitfire Mk.I or Mk.II airframe. Several Spitfires were thus modified, with either a Merlin 45 or Merlin 46, during the first weeks of 1941. The resulting feedback was good and the Air Ministry requested that Supermarine modify, as early as possible, Spitfires already on the assembly lines so they could be put into service as rapidly as possible. This is how the Spitfire Mk.V came to be. In 1941, the Spitfire Mk V progressively became the backbone of the Fighter Command and among the squadrons that switched onto the Spitfire Mk V, there are only the three Australian squadrons, Nos. 452, 453 and 457 while in the Middle East, the Australians operated also the Spitfire Mk V with No. 451. Their actions are fully described here in 64 pages, illustrated with 75 photos and seven colour profiles. The usage of the Spitfire V in Australia is not included in this book.

PAPERPACK VERSION – SOLD OUT

Profiles:

EE797/BQ-Y – 451 Sqn

AB842/UD-X – 452 Sqn

AB198/UD-R – 452 Sqn

EP605/FU-Z – 453 Sqn

BL384/BP-N – 457 Sqn (F/L JAA Gibson)

BM143/BP-A – 457 Sqn (S/L PM Brothers)

BL636/BP-P – 457 Sqn 

available as an ebook with ISBN 979-1096490-69-1

New PDF uploaded December 2023

The Bristol Brigand was developed at the end of WW2 as a replacement for the Bristol Beaufighter. Initially developed as a torpedo-fighter, the design was modified after the war in the aim to use the Brigand as a light bomber. The Brigand was later deployed overseas and served in the Middle East and the Far East, participating to the Malayan Emergency in the early fifties with Nos. 45 and 84 Squadrons, while in UK it was used in its training versions. This book is illustrated with 40 photos and 5 colour profiles. The Bristol Buckingham and Buckmaster are also covered in this book.

REVISED OCTOBER 2022

Profiles:

VS816/A – 8 Sqn

RH829/OB-M – 45 Sqn

RH776/K – 84 Sqn

RH811/G – 84 Sqn

RH823/P – 84 Sqn

Available as a paperpack version with ISBN 979-1096490-66-0

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PDF available as 979-1096490-67-7

(new PDF uploaded August 2023)

The North American Mustang is certainly one of the legendary fighters of the Second World War. The aircraft can be split into two ‘families’, the Allison-powered and Merlin-powered. The RAF Marks I and II belong to the first category, while all subsequent marks belong to the second. The change of engine made the aircraft perform far better at higher altitudes. The Merlin 61 (with the two-stage supercharger) provided significantly improved results above 15,000 feet and was without compare above 20,000 feet. All this without sacrificing range. This was a key point as, in 1942, the RAF was looking for a long-range escort fighter, a role the Spitfire, whatever the mark, could not fulfill with complete satisfaction from the British Isles. The British conducted an experimental programme with the new engine on various test-beds (known within the RAF as the Mustang X) while the Americans were doing the same thing on their side. The Americans first discovered the best way to pair the Merlin and the airframe and, after the first flight of the XP-51B on 30 November 1942, the future of the P-51B was guaranteed. The British ordered hundred of Mustang IIIs (denomination given to both P-51B and P-51C) and they served in Western Europe and in Italy. In Italy up to May 1945, six squadrons were totally equipped with the type, No. 3 RAAF, No. 5 SAAF, and RAF 112, 213, and 249 Squadrons, while, just after the war, other units (RAF 250, 260, and the Australian 450) received a mix of Mustang IIIs and IVs. This first part will develop the operational usage of the dominion units (3 RAAF, 5 SAAF, 450) and the ‘gift’ units, 249 (Gold Coast) and 250 (Sudan) Squadrons. Close to 40 photos and 7 colour profiles illustrate this part. 40 pages

REVISED MAY 2024

Available as a paperback version with ISBN 979-1096490-64-6

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Pdf is available as 979-1096490-65-3 (see below)

The Douglas Boston or Havoc is one major aircraft of WW2. Designed as a light bomber, it proved to be very versatile and was used with success in various roles over all theatres of operations. In the RAF it served as a night fighter for defensive role (see SQUADRONS! 24), but in the same time the RAF found the type perfectly suited for offensive operations by night to harrass the Germans airfields when the Fighter Command went to the offensive in the spring of 1941. This book tells how the Boston/Havoc was used between 1941 and 1943 in the intruder role from the UK by three squadrons, Nos. 23, 418 RCAF and 605. 52 pages, over 40 photos, 6 colour profiles.

Profiles:

DG554/YP-X – 23 Sqn

AW397/YP-U – 23 Sqn

Z2290/TH-F – 418 Sqn

W8321/TH-G – 418 Sqn

W8370/UP-S – 605 Sqn

Available as a paperpack version with ISBN 979-1096490-62-2

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Other digital formats (pdf) is available as 979-1096490-63-9

New PDF uploaded January 2024

Once production of the Spitfire Mk.I was underway, an improved version was looked at based around the 1175hp Merlin XII. The Spitfire Mk.II, or Supermarine 329 as its constructor named it, was born. Great hopes were placed in this new version as an order for 1000 aircraft was placed on 12 April 1939, before the mark’s first flight, for serials P7280 – P8799. This production run was launched at Castle Bromwich in Birmingham, the new Supermarine production line. The first aircraft were delivered in June 1940 and the Spitfire Mk.II included all improvements and refine¬ments added to the Spitfire Mk.I. Deliveries continued up to July 1941. The Mk.II entered service, in the midst of the Battle of Britain, first with 66 Squadron and progressively, the Spitfire Mk.II became standard equipment across Fighter Command with no less than 56 squadrons known to have been equipped, fully or partially, with the mark. Peak usage was reached during the summer of 1941, but, from the autumn of that year, it began to be withdrawn from first line units in favour of the Mk.V. Among the squadrons equipped with the Spitfire Mk II, there were the squadrons manned by men coming from Southern Rhodesia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and from the USA with the famous Eagle squadrons. Illustrated with 30 photographs and six colour profiles. 42 pages

REVISED SEPTEMBER 2022

Profiles:

P7308/XR-D – 71 Sqn (P/O WR Dunn)

P8136/AV-S – 121 Sqn

P8505/UO-H – 266 Sqn 

P7923/DB-R – 411 Sqn

P7786/UD-C – 452 Sqn 

P8175/BP-R – 457 Sqn

The Spitfire XIV was the logical development of the Spitfire Mk XII (see SQUADRONS! 5). The Mk.XIV differed from the Mk.XII in that the longer, two-stage supercharged Griffon 65 was mounted further forward. A new five-bladed Rotol propeller was used and was the most obvious visual difference compared to earlier marks. The first batch of aircraft to fly with the Griffon 60 series engines were six converted Mk.VIIIs . The first one of these was flown on 20 January 1943, with production ordered following a series of trials. The first aircraft left the production line in October 1943 following the amendment of existing Spitfire contracts. The XIV was initially seen as an interim design pending the Spitfire Mk.XVIII’s availability. Delays with the XVIII meant the XIV became one of the major Spitfire fighter variants and a valuable asset for the RAF during the final year of the war. The XIV was built as a fighter, but was also developed for fighter-reconnaissance (FR) to replace the effective, but ageing, Mustang in the Tac/R role. The mark remained in service with the RAF and various foreign air forces, including Belgium, well after the war. During the war only a limited number of squadrons were re-equipped with the type and among them, one Belgian squadron (350) and one Dutch squadron (322). This book covers the operational usage of the Spitfire XIV by those two units which were engaged against the V-1 and with the 2 TAF. This book is illustrated with about 35 photos and five colour profiles.

Profiles:

RM693/MN-S – 350 Sqn 

NH689/MN-B – 350 Sqn

MV267/MN-D – 350 Sqn 

NH700/VL-P – 322 Sqn

NH718/3W-G – 322 Sqn (Maj KC Kuhlmann)

Available as a paper version with ISBN 979-1096490-58-5

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Pdf version is available below as 979-1096490-59-2

(new PDF uploaded September 2023)