SQUADRONS! No.52: The Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX – The former Canadian Homefront squadrons

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. Ten 2TAF fighter squadrons of the RCAF flew the type. That includes three squadrons (441, 442 and 443) which were transferred in December 1943 from Canada to the UK to reinforce the RCAF Overseas. About 50 photographs, 10 colour profiles.

Available as a paperpack version with ISBN 979-1096490-88-2

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HOW TO ORDER:

Send your mailing address with your phone number in using ‘contact’ button and we will respond with a Paypal request with the following amount:

EU, UK and USA: 14.50 Euros postage included

Rest of the World: 17.00 Euros postage included

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PDF version is also available as 9791096490-89-9

REVISED APRIL 2024 (bios added)

February 2022: English Electric Lightning F.3 (camo era) – 37 photos

Each photograph is offered at a 300dpi res/13x8cm size making them available for a very good quality digital print, but also for Iphone/IPad, smartphone or computer screen (but should convert the image into a jpeg format for doing so)

Lightning F3 – 101: Lightning F.3 XP694/A, LTF (Lightning Training Flight)

Lightning F3 – 102: Lightning F.3 XP694/BO, 11 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 103: Lightning F.3 XP694/BO, 11 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 104: Lightning F.3 XP694/R, 5 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 105: Lightning F.3 XP701/BN, 11 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 106: Lightning F.3 XP701/O, 11 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 107: Lightning F.3 XP702/BO, 11 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 108: Lightning F.3 XP702, 11 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 109: Lightning F.3 XP706/DD, LTF

Lightning F3 – 110: Lightning F.3 XP707, 5 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 111: Lightning F.3 XP737/N, 11 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 112: Lightning F.3 XP749/A, LTF

Lightning F3 – 113: Lightning F.3 XP749/A, LTF

Lightning F3 – 114: Lightning F.3 XP749/BK1, 11 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 115: Lightning F.3 XP749/BK2, 11 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 116: Lightning F.3 XP749/BK2, 11 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 117: Lightning F.3 XP749/BK2, 11 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 118: Lightning F.3 XP749/DB, LTF

Lightning F3 – 119: Lightning F.3 XP750/DE, LTF

Lightning F3 – 120: Lightning F.3 XP750, LTF

Lightning F3 – 114: Lightning F.3 XP753, LTF

Lightning F3 – 122: Lightning F.3 XP751/S, 5 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 123: Lightning F.3 XP751/AQ, 5 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 124: Lightning F.3 XP764/AR, 5 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 125: Lightning F.3 XP764/B, LTF

Lightning F3 – 126: Lightning F.3 XP764/O, 11 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 127: Lightning F.3 XR713/DD, LTF

Lightning F3 – 128: Lightning F.3 XR713/O, 11 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 129: Lightning F.3 XR718/AS, 5 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 130: Lightning F.3 XR718/BK1, 11 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 131: Lightning F.3 XR720/DA, LTF

Lightning F3 – 132: Lightning F.3 XR720/M, 11 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 133: Lightning F.3 XR720/M, 11 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 134: Lightning F.3 XR720/M, 11 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 135: Lightning F.3 XR720/M, 11 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 136: Lightning F.3 XR720/M, 11 Squadron

Lightning F3 – 137: Lightning F.3 XP753/DC, LTF

SQUADRONS! No.51: The Last of the Long-Range Biplane Flying Boats

In the years following the end of WW1, the RAF produced a variety of specifications for long-range reconnaissance flying boats. During the thirties, some types were put into service, the Blackburn Iris, the Blackburn Perth and the Short Rangoon which never gave full satisfaction until the Short Singapore came up. The Short Singapore was built in significant numbers and was still in service when WW2 broke out. The Singapore remained in service until the end of 1941 with the RAF and the last ones were passed on to the RNZAF which used them up to the spring of 1943. This book covers the operational usage of these four biplane flying boats illustrated with 50 photos and 12 colour profiles.

Available as a paper version with ISBN 979-1096490-86-8

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HOW TO ORDER:

Send your mailing address with your phone number in using ‘contact’ button and we will respond with a Paypal request with the following amount:

EU, UK and USA: 13.50 Euros postage included

Rest of the World: 16.00 Euros postage included

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PDF version is also available as 9791096490-85-1

January 2022: Gloster Meteor F.4 – 24 photos

Meteor F4 – 01: Meteor F.4 EE528

Meteor F4 – 02: Meteor F.4 RA366/40-Y, 206 AFS

Meteor F4 – 03: Meteor F.4 RA375/A6-F, 257 Sqn

Meteor F4 – 04: Meteor F.4 RA375/A6-F, 257 Sqn

Meteor F4 – 05: Meteor F.4 RA375/A6-B, 257 Sqn

Meteor F4 – 06: Meteor F.4 RA457/MR-H, 245 Sqn

Meteor F4 – 07: Meteor F.4 VT129/MR-B, 245 Sqn

Meteor F4 – 08: Meteor F.4 VT133/FJV-P, CGS

Meteor F4 – 09: Meteor F.4 VT139/LZ-D, VW273/LZ-E and VT138/LZ-F, 66 Sqn

Meteor F4 – 10: Meteor F.4 VT175/A6-B, 257 Sqn

Meteor F4 – 11: Meteor F.4 VT218/ZD-R, VT331/ZD-Y and VT329/ZD-U, 222 Sqn

Meteor F4 – 12: Meteor F.4 VT219/C, 63 Sqn

Meteor F4 – 13: Meteor F.4 VT229/6-O, 209 AFS

Meteor F4 – 14: Meteor F.4 VT240, 263 Sqn

Meteor F4 – 15: Meteor F.4 VT265/JX-G and VT140/JX-F, 1 Sqn

Meteor F4 – 16: Meteor F.4 VT282/4D-T, 74 Sqn

Meteor F4 – 17: Meteor F.4 VT309/UB-F, 63 Sqn

Meteor F4 – 18: Meteor F.4 VT328, 266 Sqn

Meteor F4 – 19: Meteor F.4 VT336/HE-A, 263 Sqn

Meteor F4 – 20: Meteor F.4 VW261, 609 Sqn

Meteor F4 – 21: Meteor F.4 VZ392/N-W, 215 AFS

Meteor F4 – 22: Meteor F.4 VZ413/W, 56 Sqn

Meteor F4 – 23: Meteor F.4 VZ429/Q, 609 Sqn

Meteor F4 – 24: Meteor F.4s 1 Sqn

December 2021: Hawker Hurricane (pt-1) – 24 photos

Pre-war & Phoney War

Hawker Hurricane – 01: Hurricane Mk Is, No. 1 Squadron with the pre-war codes NA

Hawker Hurricane – 02: Hurricane Mk I L1734, No. 43 Squadron with the pre-war codes NQ

Hawker Hurricane – 03: Hurricane Mk I, No. 85 Squadron in France

Hawker Hurricane – 04: Hurricane Mk Is, No. 87 Squadron in France

Hawker Hurricane – 05: Hurricane Mk I, No. 43 Squadron with the pre-war codes NQ

Hawker Hurricane – 06: Hurricane Mk I, No. 242 Squadron, Phoney War

Hawker Hurricane – 07: Hurricane Mk I, No. 242 Squadron, Phoney War

Hawker Hurricane – 08: Hurricane Mk I N2320, No. 242 Squadron, Phoney War

Hawker Hurricane – 09: Hurricane Mk I L2045, No. 501 Squadron in France

Hawker Hurricane – 10: Hurricane Mk I, No. 501 Squadron in France

Hawker Hurricane – 11: Hurricane Mk I L1659, No. 501 Squadron, Phoney War

Hawker Hurricane – 12: Hurricane Mk Is, No. 73 Squadron in France

Hawker Hurricane – 13: Hurricane Mk I, No. 17 Squadron, Phoney War

Hawker Hurricane – 14: Hurricane Mk I L1679, No. 1 Squadron, Phoney War

Hawker Hurricane – 15: Hurricane Mk I N2358, No. 73 Squadron, Phoney War

Hawker Hurricane – 16: Hurricane Mk I L1768, No. 151 Squadron with pre-war codes GG

Hawker Hurricane – 17: Hurricane Mk I L1584, No. 111 Squadron, Pre-war era

Hawker Hurricane – 18: Hurricane Mk I, No. 43 Squadron, Phoney War

Hawker Hurricane – 19: Hurricane Mk I, No. 87 Squadron, Phoney War

Hawker Hurricane – 20: Hurricane Mk Is, No. 87 Squadron, Phoney War

Hawker Hurricane – 21: Hurricane Mk I, No. 73 Squadron, Phoney War

Hawker Hurricane – 22: Hurricane Mk I L1712, No. 79 Squadron with pre-war codes AL

Hawker Hurricane – 23: Hurricane Mk I, No. 85 Squadron with pre-war codes NO

Hawker Hurricane – 24: Hurricane Mk I L2006, No. 11 Group Pool, Phoney War

SQUADRONS! No.50: The Hawker Tempest Mk V – The New Zealanders

The Hawker Tempest was derived from the Hawker Typhoon. The new design was tested with various engines and eventually the Mk V was the first to enter service making its operational debut in January 1944 with the ADGB. The Tempest participated actively to the V-1 hunt during the summer of 1944, then the Tempest was sent to the Continent to join the 2TAF.
During the war eight fighter squadrons became operational on Tempest including 486 (NZ) Squadron, the first to convert but also the only non-British unit to fly it. The book covers the operational usage of this squadron. Close to 50 photos illustrate the book alongside eleven colour profiles and one colour plate.

REVISED JULY 2024

Available as a paperpack version with ISBN 979-1096490-84-4

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HOW TO ORDER:

Send your mailing address with your phone number in using ‘contact’ button and we will respond with a Paypal request with the following amount:

EU, UK and USA: 14.50 Euros postage included

Rest of the World: 16.50 Euros postage included

*******************************

PDF version is available as 979-1096490-85-1

November 2021: Phantom FGR.2 (17 Sqn) – 26 photos

Phantom FGR.2, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 131: Phantom FGR2 XT901/J, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 132: Phantom FGR2 XT905/905, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 133: Phantom FGR2 XV397/397, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 134: Phantom FGR2 XV397/K, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 135: Phantom FGR2 XV397/K, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 136: Phantom FGR2 XV425/425, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 137: Phantom FGR2 XV425/425, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 138: Phantom FGR2 XV425/425, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 139: Phantom FGR2 XV428/428, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 140: Phantom FGR2 XV462/462, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 141: Phantom FGR2 XV462/462, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 142: Phantom FGR2 XV468/468, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 143: Phantom FGR2 XV469/469, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 144: Phantom FGR2 XV469/C, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 145: Phantom FGR2 XV471/471, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 146: Phantom FGR2 XV471/A, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 147: Phantom FGR2 XV474/474, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 148: Phantom FGR2 XV474/G, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 149: Phantom FGR2 XV475/D, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 150: Phantom FGR2 XV475/475, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 151: Phantom FGR2 XV475/475, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 152: Phantom FGR2 XV483/483, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 153: Phantom FGR2 XV483/483, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 154: Phantom FGR2 XV487/487, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 155: Phantom FGR2 XV488/488, 17 Sqn

Phantom FGR2 – 156: Phantom FGR2 XV494/494, 17 Sqn

October 2021: Bristol Belvedere – 25 photos

Bristol Belvedere – 01: Bristol 173 XE286/G-AMYF

Bristol Belvedere – 02: Bristol 173 XE286/G-AMYF

Bristol Belvedere – 03: Bristol 173 XF785/G-ALBN

Bristol Belvedere – 04: Bristol 173 XF785/G-ALBN

Bristol Belvedere – 05: Bristol 173 XF785/G-ALBN

Bristol Belvedere – 06: Bristol Belvedere HC.1 XG447.

Bristol Belvedere – 07: Bristol Belvedere HC.1 XG448/A, No. 66 Sqn

Bristol Belvedere – 08: Bristol Belvedere HC.1 XG449/B, No. 66 Sqn

Bristol Belvedere – 09: Bristol Belvedere HC.1 XG449/B, No. 66 Sqn

Bristol Belvedere – 10: Bristol Belvedere HC.1 XG452

Bristol Belvedere – 11: Bristol Belvedere HC.1 XG453, BTU (Belvedere Trials Unit)

Bristol Belvedere – 12: Bristol Belvedere HC.1 XG455/B, 72 Sqn

Bristol Belvedere – 13: Bristol Belvedere HC.1 XG455/B, 72 Sqn

Bristol Belvedere – 14: Bristol Belvedere HC.1 XG457/D, 72 Sqn

Bristol Belvedere – 15: Bristol Belvedere HC.1 XG457/D, 72 Sqn

Bristol Belvedere – 16: Bristol Belvedere HC.1 XG457/D, 72 Sqn

Bristol Belvedere – 17: Bristol Belvedere HC.1 XG459/A, 72 Sqn

Bristol Belvedere – 18: Bristol Belvedere HC.1 XG460/L, 72 Sqn

Bristol Belvedere – 19: Bristol Belvedere HC.1 XG460/L, 72 Sqn

Bristol Belvedere – 20: Bristol Belvedere HC.1 XG462/H, 66 Sqn

Bristol Belvedere – 21: Bristol Belvedere HC.1 XG462/H, 66 Sqn

Bristol Belvedere – 22: Bristol Belvedere HC.1 XG462/H and XG549/A, 72 Sqn

Bristol Belvedere – 23: Bristol Belvedere HC.1 XG464/K, 66 Sqn

Bristol Belvedere – 24: Bristol Belvedere HC.1 XG468/N, 66 Sqn

Bristol Belvedere – 25: Bristol Belvedere HC.1 XG474/F, 66 Sqn

SQUADRONS! No.49: The Supermarine Spitfire Mk I – The beginning, the Auxiliary squadrons

The Spitfire was designed as a short-range interceptor which first flew on 5 March 1936 and was soon ordered in large quantities.The first production Spitfire came off the assembly line in mid-1938 and by the outbreak of war over 300 have been delivered to the RAF and ten squadrons already operational. During the Phoney War, the Spitfire was not deployed on the Continent and remained based on its British stations to defend the country while other squadrons were converted. It is in this role the Spitfire claimed its first victories over the Luftwaffe. When the military situation obliged the British to evacuate the continental Europe via Dunkirk, the Spitfire squadrons were called to cover the withdrawal, a period during which the type performed.
This chapter covers the operational usage of the Auxiliary squadrons (602, 603, 603, 609, 610, 611 and 616) between 1 September 1939 and 30 June 1940. Over 40 photographs and 8 colour plates illustrate the book.

(see SQUADRONS 62 for the Regular squadrons)

updated November 2023

Profiles:

K9962/LO-A – 602 Sqn (S/L AD Furquhar)

N3105/XT-P – 603 Sqn

L1068/PR-B – 609 Sqn

L1000/DW-M – 610 Sqn

R6595/DW-O – 610 Sqn

K9999/FY-D – 611 Sqn

L1055/QJ-U – 616 Sqn

Available as a paperpack version with ISBN 979-1096490-82-0

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HOW TO ORDER:

Send your mailing address with your phone number in using ‘contact’ button and we will respond with a Paypal request with the following amount:

EU, UK and USA: 13.50 Euros postage included

Rest of the World: 16.00 Euros postage included

***********************************

PDF version is available as 979-1096490-83-7

new PDF uploaded November 2023