• Friendly fire is a rather well-known photo of an American Spitfire which force-landed at the beaches of Salerno. Full story follows.
  
  
• There is a general opinion is that RAF and commonwealth aircraft were rather below par with regard to personal markings, but there certainly were many exceptions contradicting the rule. The Australian pilot Jack Newton and his personal Pegasus emblem is the subject of our second photograph for today.

Labels: history, site updates, webmaster

• A new addition in our Art & Memorabilia gallery is the McLaren Spitfire - a family product with Spitfire connections that go beyond the looks.

Labels: site updates

One more photograph has been added today.

• "Spitfires can take it" is an image originating from HMSO publications of the time, interesting because it shows typical effects of a belly landing in a Spitfire.

Labels: history, site updates

• Deployment to France is a document of one of the first airstrips used to transfer fighter squadrons into France after D-Day, B4 Bény-sur-Mer.
  


• Little is known about overseas volunteer pilots in the ranks of the RAF, pilots which often came from the least expected places. Such as Trinidad or Barbados, as documented by this photo.

Labels: history, site updates

• A new addition in Scale Modelling is a pair of Spitfire models presented by Czech modeller Jiří Fiala - in the article entitled President's Spitfire.
  
  
• Also, with regard to the recently posted book review of Spitfire Girls. In response to my review, I have received a letter from Carol Gould, the author of the book. This has now been added at the end of the original article.
  
  
• I have also been contacted by Black Robin Resinz and updated the pricing information in yesterday's review of their 1/48 Spitfire Mk. XII Conversion Set.
  
  

Labels: modelling, reviews, site updates

• In Product News and Reviews, check the new modelling product from Black Robin Resinz of New Zealand - 1/48 Spitfire Mk. XII Conversion Set.
  
  
• Arguably less exciting read, but an important addition due to the rapidly growing number of our visitors is the Privacy Policy for the Spitfire Site.

Labels: modelling, site updates, webmaster

• Fresh from a printing press and only released last week is Carol Gould's book "Spitfire Girls". I'm pleased to be the first on the web to offer a review of this new publication.
  
  
• Another subject altogether is what may be the ultimate Spitfire gadget - a tiny 1/72 flying R/C model of this aircraft from Plantraco which opens up an entirely new prospect of putting up a dogfight in your living room!

Labels: reviews, site updates

• The hundredth posting in out collection is, fittingly, a photograph which to my knowledge hasn't previously been published. The last Spitfire from Exeter shows a curiously dressed Spitfire hauled from a repair workshop in this city. An intriguing photo which raises many questions.



• Also in this update is Seafire's combat debut - an evidence of the Seafire's first operational use during Operation Torch.
  


• Lastly, as mentioned above, check our previous mystery photos and see if you can help laying down the puzzles!

Labels: history, site updates

• A new addition in Camouflage and Markings is the article written with the indispensable help of Bjørnar Norås and Nils Mathisrud from Norway. A Question of Foreign Markings tells the full story behind one of the most unusual markings to be seen on a Spitfire in the closing months of World War II - PV181 of the Norwegian ace W/Cdr Rolf Arne Berg.
  
  
• We have also an interesting, if unusual new addition in our Art & Memorabilia gallery. Mecha Spitfire is one of those attractive Japanese toy-robot-anime-comic mashups. Have a look.

Labels: history, reference, site updates

• Spitfire Mk. Vc in Sicily is an intriguing photo, but the one in need of additional information to identify the aircraft, units and people. Added yesterday to the Historic Photographs collection.  

Labels: history, site updates

• New in the Reference section is Y2-K Spitfire of F/Lt Arnold Roseland - colour analysis of the Spitfire Mk. IX serving with No. 442 Squadron RCAF, now a subject of a restoration project.
  
  
• In Product News & Reviews, we present JAYS Models Line of 1/72 Spitfire Kits.


• Finally, in Art & Memorabilia gallery we have a commendable Tribute to Pete Brothers, a contribution by Dutch artist Herman Veltorp.
  

Labels: history, reviews, site updates

• Supermarine Spitfire Variants - Single-Stage Merlin-Powered  is the title of this two-part illustrated guide which goes through all marks of the first line of Spitfire development, from the Mk. I to Mk. VI fighter variants, and from the Mk. I PR Type A to PR Mk. XIII photo-reconnaissance versions. By Jeff Webb, illustrated by various archive photographs.
  

Labels: reference, site updates

• New pair of images have been added in Historic Photographs section. The first one is a rather unique gun camera footage from the period of the Battle of Britain, documenting an attack of a Spitfire Mk. I of No. 609 Squadron RAF on a formation of Heinkel He 111s.
  
  
• The second image and a story that goes with it are dedicated to Diana Barnato-Walker, one of the most prominent "Spitfire women" of the ATA.

Labels: history, site updates

• Read Spitfire Pilot - Life Prematurely Ended, a story of F/O Russell Lyon.
  
  
• Also, don't forget to check out the latest topics of our discussion forum too - lots of interesting subjects arrived recently!

Labels: history, site updates

Click to enlarge image

• A new video clip brought to the Video Section is Sunset flying in Omaka; a much-anticipated appearance of the the newly restored Spitfire Mk. IX PV270 in the markings of Al Deere.
  

Labels: site updates, videos

• First is the image of V-1 defender - the famous Spitfire Mk. XIV flown by Sqn/Ldr Richard Newbery.
  
  
• The second image comes with a request for more information. A rather ordinarily looking photo from a RAF airbase shows the handover ceremony upon USAAF arrival in Britain. We're looking for the name of the place and maybe some additional information about the circumstances.

Labels: history, site updates

• Tomasz Hajzler's presents his Spitfire Mk. IX - a conversion of the 1/32 Hasegawa Spitfire Mk. Vb to an early Mk. IXc. His model is the latest addition to our growing Modelling section.
  

Labels: modelling, site updates, webmaster

• New image added in the Historic Photographs section is entitled Backing up the invasion. Enjoy.
  

Labels: history, site updates

Labels: history, site updates

• Dutch airbrush artist Herman Veltrop's debut on these pages is the painting of Mark Hanna's MH434 in the air
  
  
• Double victory is James Baldwin's dynamic rendition of a combat between the Spitfire Mk. IX BS451 of No 303 (Polish) Squadron with the notorious German Focke-Wulf Fw 190 on 17 August 1943.
  

Labels: site updates

Labels: reference, site updates

• The same 1/3 Spitfire model is now featured in a video presentation submitted by the modeller J P Cousinet of France.
  
  
• How about a working Merlin engine in 1/5 scale? This one was engineered in metal by Barry Hares from the UK. See the live demonstration in this video.
  
  
• 1/4 Scale Spitfire Sound System for That Merlin Growl. A common problem in R/C modelling is that the sound of the small engine cannot match the song of the full-scale original. See (and hear) the solution to this problem in the form of onboard sound system for the Merlin. Impressive!
  

Labels: modelling, site updates

• Tactical reconnaissance with Spitfire Mk. XIV - this image shows Spitfire FR Mk. XIV, serial number RM795 of No. 414 Squadron RCAF at the time of VE-day
  


• The second photo, originating from the time of the Battle of Britain and entitled Under entirely wrong management does not show a Spitfire, yet I felt that it was interesting enough to be included here.
  

Labels: history, site updates

• See Closer to the Real Thing - 1/3 Scale Replica of the Spitfire Mk. IX presented by Jean Pierre Cousinet
  
  
  
• Another addition for today is a Photo Gallery of Spitfire 60th Anniversary, Duxford of 10 years' ago. This show made history by putting up a display of no less than sixteen (!) Spitfires in the air for simultaneous flypast
  

Labels: modelling, site updates, warbirds

• In History Articles, we have a Pictorial feature on Eagle Day, 1940. The force opposed by RAF Hurricanes and Spitfires during the Battle of Britain is presented in the photographs of official German correspondents. Many wartime photographs were released recently by Bundesarchiv into the Creative Commons domain, and this is a selection of these.
  
  


• Another newly acquired asset is the photograph of No. 613 Squadron Spitfires F Mk. XIV at RAF Ringway in 1947, a new addition in our steadily growing gallery of Historic Photographs. It's good to see a photo of post-war Spitfires, we'd be glad to have more of them, so please keep them comin'!
  

Another editorial news is the arrival of my new drawing software. As mentioned previously, I intend to refresh my long-neglected computer graphics skills and try to produce some colour profiles of the Spitfire on my own, improving on the first effort published here. The package, Corel Draw X4, arrived in my mail last week. After some ten years of inactivity in the graphics field, the big question was which graphics software to select for this project. The choice was very much between only two options, Adobe Illustrator CS4 and Corel, both coupled with rather substantial outlay. I have evaluated voth and although many people say that the professionals prefer Adobe, Corel Draw still feels as familiar and straightforward as the last time when I used it. I hope that the learning curve is not not too steep as to prevent me from producing something useful in the foreseeable future. Wish me luck!

Labels: history, site updates, webmaster

• The first image shows one of the earliest Spitfires Mk. I placed on a compass swing
   
• The subject of our second image is wet winter in Italy, 1945
  
  

Labels: history, site updates

Labels: history, modelling, site updates

• New in the Scale Modelling section is Airfix's Biggest Spitfire - Improved, a 1/24 Airfix kit built and detailed by Andy C.
  
  
• Australian Spitfire Mk. Vc built by Aleksander Gorski is a fine example of another Airfix Spitfire kit, this time in 1/48 scale.

Labels: modelling, site updates

Today's additions in the Art & Memorabilia gallery are two Spitfire-related advertisements anno 1941.

• "Rotol constant speed airscrew"
• Rolls-Royce Merlin advertisement, 1941
  

Labels: history, site updates

• A trio of No. 253 Squadron Spitfires in Italy. This is one of these images which offer a wealth of interesting detail; there is also a story behind it.
  
  
• Another Mk. V is this enigma French Spitfire which flew with the Mediterranean Allied Coastal Air Force. Perhaps someone could provide more details about this aircraft.
  
  
• Lastly, another photo from the Italian campaign depicts an airfield of No. 417 Squadron RCAF in Sicily.
  
  

Labels: history, site updates

Today's addition is a pair of new photographs in the Historic Photographs section. Public domain images of the Mk. VII are somewhat rare, and I'm happy to have located these in the archival collections of the NASA.

• Two images show Spitfire Mk. VII EN474 during NACA tests at Langley in July 1944.

Labels: history, site updates

• You can read Natalie Bennett's review of Spitfire Women of World War II in our Product News & Reviews section.
  

Labels: reviews, site updates

• James Baldwin returns with his newest piece, showing the duel between F/Lt John Dundas (609 Squadron) and the German air ace Major Helmut Wick (JG 2), presented here with a description of the event.

Labels: history, site updates

• Johnnie Johnson's Spitfire - Revisited provides detailed analysis of EN398, W/Cdr Johnnie Johnson's personal aircraft.

Labels: reference, site updates

• A new addition in Camouflage & Markings is Greycap's Personal Spitfire - a portrait of JE-J, probably the most famous Spitfire IX of them all, W/Cdr Johnnie Johnson's personal mount.

Labels: history, reference, site updates

• Removing the Merlin engine, a rather well-known photo showing the removal of a Merlin 45 engine from a Spitfire Mk. V in a workshop at a USAAF Fighter Station.
  
  
• Rolls-Royce Merlin demonstrations were carried by Rolls-Royce throughout the war to educate squadron mechanics. Here is a photograph from one of such courses.
  

Labels: history, site updates

• Operation Starkey, an interesting air-to-air photo taken on 9 September 1943.
  
  
• Borough of Southgate was the Spitfire Mk. VC serial number AA963, funded by the people of the North London suburb of Southgate. Two images of thios aircraft come with a commentary and a request for help to establish its eventual fate.
  

Labels: history, site updates

• A new entry with two new images has been added in Historic Photographs section. It is another American Spitfire, but this time one whose provenance has caused some confusion in various publications. See The markings don't always tell the whole story - BM635.

Unfortunately I have also noticed a technical problem. The possibility to browse by category (meaning browsing by Spitfire mark) has mysteriously disappeared from the Historic Photographs main page. As these links are script-generated, there must be some bug. I will investigate into it and try to fix the it as soon as possible.

Labels: history, site updates, webmaster

• The reviewed book is D-Day : The Air Battle by Ken Delve.

Labels: reviews, site updates

• Presentation Spitfires. The popularity of Spitfire Funds resulted in the proliferation of aircraft funded by the public, each adorned with a name chosen by its donor. It is a vast and only recently documented subject, presented here in the article by Ray Sturtivant and Henry Boot, previously published in D.C.O., the magazine of the Spitfire Society and republished here with kind permission of Ray Sturtivant's family.

A sad news which became known to me during my inquiry about this article is that Ray Sturtivant, a prolific aviation historian and book author, passed away on 9 August 2008 at the age of 82. He was perhaps best known for his meticulous research into the RAF and FAA history. Among his books are the milestone The Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm, Spitfire International and his last book, Gifts of War: Spitfires and other Presentation Aircraft in Two World Wars, for which the today's article is a prelude. Ray and his work will be greatly missed.

Labels: history, site updates

• Another Spitfire Mk. V presented in the gallery WZ-R, 309th Fighter Squadron.
  
  
• The second photo for tonight is Dowding and "The Few" Battle of Britain pilots, photographed during a reunion in 1942.

Labels: history, site updates

• Sqn/Ldr Donald Osborne Finlay was a pre-war athlete and Olympic medalist who became a Spitfire pilot and a commander of No. 41 Squadron in the early war period.
  
  
• "Observer Corps", one of the many presentation Spitfires, was Finlay's personal mount in Hornchurch in the winter of 1940/1941. This is also the first Mk. II in our gallery.
  
  
• Balkan Air Force shows a row of Spitfires Mk. Vc of No. 352 (Yugoslav) Squadron RAF in their national markings.
  
  
• Lastly, here is a photo of the long-lived BM316, a Spitfire Mk. Vb, an aircraft with a long career and service record with the RAF, RNZAF, RCAF and USAAF.

And, as a final note for today, modellers of all kinds may find it interesting to see just how much can be done with the old trusty 1/72 Airfix Hurricane - in this article by John Wong at Hyperscale.

Labels: history, site updates

• New in the Product News & Reviews section is John Nation's thorough review of SpitSim - a Spitfire cockpit simulator developed by the UK company Sim Control.
  
  
• Also in the same section, we have a preview of two New Spitfire Decal Sheets in 1/32 Scale - something for our modelling visitors.
  

Labels: reviews, site updates

• In the first article of this update, Erik Whipple builds no less than three Hasegawa Spitfires in 1/48 Scale. Eriks finds that the oft-maligned Hasegawa Spitfire kits are quick and easy builds, and the results speak for themselves.
  
  
• Mark Davies returns with another Czech Master Resin 1/72 Spitfire TR Mk. IX, this time a more unusual variant in the group of CMR’s Spitfire kits.
  
  
• Lastly, Sim Menzies presents a gaggle of No. 19 Squadron Battle of Britain Spitfires.

Labels: modelling, site updates

• High Flight. How about some poetry at the Spitfire site? I feel that this one fits the subjct perfectly, especially if you consider it's origin. High Flight by John Gillespie Magee, Jr.
  
  
• Johnnie Johnson's famous Spitfire Mk. IX. It is my great pleasure to introduce a new artist on this site, James Baldwin. James' speciality is watercolor and pencil, and this drawing of the Spitfire IX is a great piece, exhibited here with pride and joy.

Labels: history, site updates

Without further delay, here's this week's update:

• New product review has been added in the Product News & Reviews section. This time I review a DVD entitled Spitfire Mk. V BL628 - The Return of Marion produced by Ecosphere Publications. It provides a unique insight into the pre-flight trials of the Spitfire Mk. VB recently restored in New Zealand.

Also, I have been working with eliminating problems with some of the shortcut hyperlinks at the front page of the site. These have been caused by a slight change to RSS feed formats introduced recently, but I hope that everything is back to normal again. Enjoy the site.

Labels: reviews, site updates, webmaster

• The book reviewed today is Spitfire: The Illustrated Biography by Jonathan Glancey. I found it to be a great read and, in this new edition, full of exquisitely printed Spitfire photographs.

This review has been posted in the growing Product News & Reviews section.

Labels: history, site updates

• First today is the large 1/32 scale Spitfire model produced by Ricardo Dacoba from Argentina. This is a conversion representing one of the only three unique high-altitude Spits produced at MU Aboukir, Egypt.
  


• The second model, also from Ricardo but to 1/48 scale, represents a Spitfire LF Mk. VIII operating in Burma and painted in SEAC camouflage
  


• The last in this batch is in 1/72 scale , a Griffon-nose Spitfire Mk. XIVc built by Kevin Arnold.

Labels: modelling, site updates

• Today's addition is the Australian DVD entitled Spitfire Guardians. This documentary video tells the story of the Australian Spitfire units, pilots and ground crew and their participation in World Ward II. Pilot interviews and unique archive footage should make this disc particularly interesting to anyone interested in Spitfire operations in Australia and New Guinea.
  
  
• A short trailer of this movie has been previously posted online here in the video section.

Labels: history, site updates

• Added today is the photograph of Free French pilot André Gibert and his Spitfire Mk. V nicknamed Stormy. See the accompanying text for details.
  

Labels: history, site updates

• A new addition in the Art & Memorabilia gallery is the latest drawing by Pavel Rampír from the Czech Republic. This one shows the Last The Last Flight of W/O Arnost Mrtvy of No. 313 (Czech) Squadron.
  

Labels: site updates

• A new set of images has been added in the Gallery section. It is a seletion of images from the 2008 Flying Legends show which took place last month in Duxford. Enjoy.

Labels: site updates, warbirds

• I'm particularly glad that my first full review is of a book which no doubt breaks some new ground in our collective state of knowledge about the Spitfire. Read more about Spitfire Mk. IX & XVI Engineered by Paul H. Monforton.
  

Labels: reviews, site updates

• New in the Scale Modelling section is a new 1/48 Spitfire Mk. Vb built from the immortal Tamiya kit. This one is modelled by Ken Gowans.
  

Labels: modelling, site updates

• A new addition to the Modelling section is Fabrice Fanton's Spitfire HF Mk. VI Conversion in 1/48 Scale - using Tamiya Spitfire and Pavla resin set.
  

Labels: modelling, site updates

• 2008 Airshow Season Underway. An inspirational collection of Spitfire images from various UK shows. Photography by Andrew G Leonard.
  

Labels: site updates, warbirds

A new photo gallery has been added to the site today.

• Shuttleworth Collection's AR501 is a collection of photographs depicting the Spitfire LF Mk. VC, AR501 NN-A, operated by the Shuttleworth Trust and a popular focal point of the collection's air displays at Old Warden. The images, which show both the aircraft and its various details, have been kindly provided by Mark Mills.
  

Labels: reference, site updates, warbirds

• A new article in History Articles is dedicated to Uncle Sam's Spitfires - Tom Cleaver's summary of the Spitfire's career in the USAAF service. Although the aircraft was never given a US designation, the USAAF used over 600 Spitfires during the war and it had a long and succesful service record with 31st and 52nd Fighter Groups.

Labels: history, site updates

• Mark Davies' presents an in-depth review of the allegedly ultimate 1/72 Spitfire kit - the Czech Master Resin 1/72 Spitfire LF Mk. IXE.
  
  
• We have also a Trumpeter Spitfire Mk. V in 1/24 scale Model by Darron Edwards.

Enjoy.

Labels: modelling, site updates

• Spitfire Mk. XVI at Flydagen Kjeller, 2008 - Swedish-owned RW386 phtographed at the air display in Norway

Labels: site updates, warbirds

• Among the History Articles, new additons are the two concluding parts of 1941: The Difficult Year - Day Air Operations by Fighter Command, November 1940 - December 1941, an account by Sholto Douglas, C-in-C of Fighter Command in the described period.
  
  
• New pair of models has been added in the Modelling section; both represent the Spitfire Prototype K5054, albeit in two different finishes. By Mark Davies.
  

Labels: history, modelling, site updates

• A new addition in History Articles is part 3 of AVM Sholto Douglas' report 1941: The Difficult Year. This part covers the first offensive operations (Rhubarbs and Circuses) of the RAF after the Battle of Britain.
  
  
• A new image has also been added in the Historic Photographs section. Clipped, cropped, clapped - YO-Q offers a picture and a story about an interesting Spitfire LF Mk. Vb.
  

Labels: history, site updates

• In many respects, 1941 was one of Fighter Command's most difficult years. Delpeted during the Battle of Britain and still the sole line of Britain's defence, the condition of RAF's fighter arm remained rather fragile throughout the year. Yet the command was ordered on the offensive with the limited means there were at hand.
  
  I'm pleased to introduce 1941: The Difficult Year, a report written by AVM Sholto Douglas, the Commander-in-Chief of the Fighter Command during that period, and one of the orchestrators of the Circus offensive. This detailed account brings to light the many factors governing the conduct and success of operations at the time.
  
  Today we're posting the first two parts of this feature, with parts 3..5 to follow soon.
  

Labels: history, site updates

• The Variants and Technology section was enhanced with two important reference features. A two-part Concise Guide To Spitfire Wing Types provides an overview of of the basic wing types of the Spitfire and the differences between them. Inherently related to Spitfire wing design is also The Hispano Cannon, the weapon which gave the aircraft the punch and a characteristic element of its silhouette.
  
  
• Four new colour profiles added during the month in Camouflage & Markings were NH550, in Royal Norwegian Service accompanied by another Norwegian Reconnaissance Spitfire, EP706 - The Malta Defender Spitfire Mk. Vc and "Bogle" Bodie and his Spitfire Mk. I, X4321.
  
  This adds up to six new reference articles, a good record indeed, with no less than three additional features currently waiting to be published.
  
  
• The pace in the History Articles section was rather more leisurely, with two articles added. Independent Air Force - Tracing the Origins of the RAF, an essay by Brett Holman and A Lifetime of Aviation, another essay by Martin Waligorski.
  
  This month I will be adding much more in this section, with five-part coverage of the 1941 Circus offensive as a main theme.
  
  
• Images added to the Historic Photographs section were: a portrait of Sqn/Ldr Jiří Maňák,
  photos of RAB Spitfire of W/Cdr Berg, UZ-Z of No. 306 Squadron, Northolt, Spitfire Mk. VII in the United States, launch of Operation Bowery and K5054 prototype prior to her maiden flight.
  


• The Video Section grew with just about as many videos, including the footage of Mark Hanna leading Spitfire formation display, Spitfire in IL2, Best of Chino's contraprop Spitfire Mk. XIX and Public debut of Seafire Mk. XVII SX336.
  
  
• The new Gallery Section, established at the beginning of the month, grew up rapidly and is already offering several hundred quality images. Collections added this month were: Spitfire Models by Tim Prosser, images from Old Warden 2007, The Joy of Flight Testing the Spitfire Mk. V BL628, Seafire Mk.XVII SX336, 90th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force, April 2008 celebration flypast over London, BBMF 50th Anniversary, 2007 and finally Ronnie Olsthoorn Photo Gallery with many beautiful Spitfire images.
  
  I'm happy that the technology behind the galleries worked out. Image collections I have been receiving from our visitors since last autumn can now finally be posted online and I will continue to do so during the months to come.
  
  
• Modellers have proven to be eager and knowledgeable supporters of this site. Their interest was demonstrated last month through a collection of 1/72 Spitfire Models by Tim Prosser , Spitfire in Saigon, a tribute to the Memory of A/C Paul Webb, Tamiya Spitfire Mk. V backdated to Mk. Ib, Kenley Wings beer-carrying Spitfire and another Malta Spitfire Mk. V.
  


• Another group which keeps giving this site a "push" are aviation artists; many new great pieces can be enjoyed in the Art & Memorabilia gallery and Pavel Rampír has been spoiling us with an entire series of drawings. Enjoy A portrait of Clive Caldwell, Spitfire Mk. VIII in Italy, "The Last", Chasing the V-1, "The CO's Query", Typhoon trouble, Beware of the low-flying Mosquitos, "Se va la Primera". For collectors, there was also a set of RAF 90th Anniversary poststamps.
  

Summarizing, it is apparent that April was one of the most fruitful months on the Spitfire Site so far. It is fantastic, and showed up well through the editorial workload - I had a hard time coping with all the material I've been receiving. I'd like to direct a warm thank you to everyone who contributed their work and material to make it happen. My apologies to those few who are still waiting to get their contributions published - none has been forgotten and they will appear online as soon as I can possibly manage.

The RAF Anniversary Festival will continue for some time to come, so please keep the articles and photos coming.

In the meantime, I'm into some serious programming trying to establish a discussion forum for all of us Spitfire buffs. I'll keep you posted.

Labels: history, modelling, reference, site updates, videos, warbirds, webmaster

Many thanks to all the contributors and please keep them comin'!

• In Historic Photographs, we celebrate two foreign personalities who served with the RAF, Czech Sqn/Ldr Jiří Maňák and Norwegian Rolf Arne Berg.
  
  
• Another great Spitfire pilot is commemorated in the Art & Memorabilia gallery through a portrait of Clive Caldwell, one more great submission by Pavel Rampír.
  


• In Scale Modelling, we have a photo gallery of Spitfire Models by Tim Prosser, now complete with sixty-five(!) 1/72 Spitfire and Seafire models presented in realistic settings and lifelike photography.
  
  
• Other models presented today are Spitfire in Saigon by Brian Ballew and a personal tribute to the memory of A/C Paul Webb by Chris Doherty.
  
  
• In Photo Galleries, there is another set of images from Old Warden 2007 air display season. Photography by Rover75.
  


• Looking into the Event Calendar clearly shows that the airshow season begins now, with many interesting events in the UK and France scheduled for May.

In all, this update includes 75 web pages, which together with the recent update of the IPMS Stockholm Magazine (also posted yesterday) is clearly a personal record. I hope that you will enjoy the results!

Labels: history, modelling, site updates, warbirds

• Spitfire Mk. VIII in Italy, a new pencil drawing by Pavel Rampir.
  
  
• Not a new addition, but one item to which I would like to draw your attention again, is this photo of No. 306 Squadron Spitfire Mk. IX. The new element is the excessive commentary added by an anonymous visitor. I once wrote that I'd like every picture in the Historic Photos gallery to tell a story, and this is a great example of how much can be achieved with a common effort. Thanks everyone who have added their comments to various photos so far.

It is also the Polish pilot's names in the above article that prompted me to work with the first technical issue during the weekend. With the default character set (Western European) hitherto used on this site, some of these peculiar Polish letters were not supported, refusing to show up correctly in the browser. The solution was converting the entire side to Unicode (UTF-8) standard, and this has been done during an evening's work. Now, there's no more guessing about the name of Żulikowski - well, maybe the pronunciation, but not the spelling :)

This addition and some of the email I've been receiving recently also show that there's a need for a discussion forum on this site. I have spent some time reviewing the available software for this purpose. There's plenty of sophisticated shrink-wrap bulletin board solutions available these days, but to begin with and test the feasibility of the idea, I'd rather have something more simplistic and easily accessible for the users. Thus we will start with a simple discussion forum, eventually dressing it up in features or converting to full BB standard as future interest grows. I think I have now an outline of suitable design, and should be able to set up a forum feature in a week or two.

Lastly, there have been issues with a commenting feature of the blog posts. Several users have pointed out that this function is not as easy to use as one might expect. It is hard for me to pinpoint exactly what the problems are, but the fact remains that the user interface for signing one's entry is unnecessarily confusing. This is enough for me to start looking for alternative solutions. This, however, will be my second priority after the discussion forum.

Labels: site updates, webmaster

• Backdating Tamiya Spitfire Mk. V to Mk. Ib is the subject of this short feature by Tolga Ulgur. Tolga used Ultracast resin accessories for this neat conversion.

Labels: modelling, site updates

• New in Historic Photographs section is the nice photo of Spitfire Mk. IX, UZ-Z of No. 306 Squadron phtotographed in Northolt.
  
  
• Another photograph today shows Spitfire Mk. VII in the United States. This aircraft should be well known to those who visited mithsoniat Air and Space Museum in Washington DC.

Labels: history, site updates

• The launch of Operation Bowery
  
  
• K5054 prototype prior to maiden flight
  

Also, if you enjoy plastic models, here's one surfing tip not to be missed. Spitfire is the current theme on one of Hyperscale's Theme Pics forum. Visitors of that prolific modelling site have been invited to post photos of their Spitfire models, and there is plenty of them to see!

Labels: history, modelling, site updates

• The Joy of Flight Testing is a pictorial story of a successful conclusion to the restoration of Spitfire Mk. V BL628, documented by Andy Hosking.

Labels: site updates, warbirds

• A new gallery for today is devoted to Seafire Mk.XVII SX336, a unique airworthy Griffon-powered Seafire. Photography by Mark Mills.
  
  
• I have also reworked two previous galleries to increase the picture size: BBMF 50th Anniversary, 2007 and Ronnie Olsthoorn Photo Gallery. I'm pleased with the result and think that both these galleries are well worth a second look.

Enjoy.

Labels: site updates, warbirds, webmaster

• Five new items have been added in the Art & Memorabilia gallery. First to go is Chasing the V-1, a dynamic scene showing a duel between the Sptifire Mk. XIV and a buzz bomb.
  
  
• "The CO's Query" commemorates No. 32 Squadron's role in Greece, and the tradition of using "?" instead of an aircraft identification letter.
  
  
• Typhoon trouble - the Tiffy, a forced landing and a rather fortunate pilot.
  
  
• Beware of the low-flying Mosquitos - beating up an airfield with two Merlins.
  
  
• "The Last" is a portrait of the final production PR Spitfire, the Mk. XIX.

Labels: site updates

• Preparing yesterday's addition in the Variants & Technology section about the Spitfire wing types, I noticed that I could fairly easily add another short pictorial about the Spitfire's main armament, the Hispano Cannon - so I here it is.
  
  
• Also, I have added another excellent profile artwork of Olve Dybvig, showing NH550 in Royal Norwegian Service. Post-war Norwegian fighter units retained living connection with their wartime history and the RAF.

I'm happy to see that contributions from the readers keep flowing in, but we'd like to see even more, so don't hesitate!

Labels: history, reference, site updates

• A new addition in the Variants & Technology section is a two-part Concise Guide To Spitfire Wing Types. A well-researched piece of writing by Jeff Web coupled with digitized copies of old maintenance manuals creates a commendable piece of reference. Highly recommended to modellers!
  
  
  
• Our Video collection has been enriched with three new clips:
  
  
  
  • Mark Hanna leads Spitfire formation display
  
  
  • Spitfire in IL2
  
  
  • Best of Chino's contraprop Spitfire Mk. XIX



• Last but not least, "Se va la Primera" a fantastic new painting by Vladimir Urbanek, in the new addition in Art & Memorabilia gallery.

Keep them coming!

Labels: reference, site updates, videos, warbirds

• The story of Norwegian Reconnaissance Spitfires is described and exemplified by the colour artwork kindly submitted by Olve Dybvig.

Labels: history, reference, site updates

• Two new additions in the Camouflage & Markings section are colour profiles of EP706 - The Malta Defender and Battle of Britain Spitfire Mk. I, X4321.
  
  
• In the Video section, we have a new clip showing the recently restored Seafire Mk. XVII SX336.
  
  
• We have also two new Spitfire models for your viewing pleasure today: Kenley Wings by Hans-Peter Tschanz and Malta Spitfire Mk. V by Charlie Wall.
  

Labels: modelling, reference, site updates, videos

What is the RAF 90th Anniversary Festival?

Simply speaking, we're aimig at creating a broad collection of articles, memories, photographs, documents, drawings, art and other material connected to the Royal Air Force and its long history. It is our hope that it can be developed by collective voluntary effort, whereupon visitors, friendly bloggers and webmasters submit any suitable material and the Spitfire Site acts as host, putting it all together.

The history of the Royal Air Force suggests different things to different people, so this festival aims to be as inclusive as possible. This means that we'll accept anything fitting into its main subject, not only the Spitfire, Fighter Command or World War II.

The festival means that material can be submitted by anyone - meaning you, the readers.

What kind of submissions are we looking for?
- Articles, essays or other forms of writing
- Photographs, individual or collections
- Personal recollections or experiences of your relatives / friends
- Documents, letters etc.
- Drawings, artwork
- Photos of collectibles
- Scale models
- Book & movie reviews

If your material has already been published elsewhere on the web, don't worry. We will still gladly post it here to make the collection available in one place. Should you prefer to link to your original page or site, we can do that, too. Naturally, all sources will be properly credited.

It’s a good way of creating a sense of community around RAF history, cross-promoting good resources on the web and offering future readers the best material on this worthy topic.

The festival is planned to last until May or June 2008, depending on the scale of public response.

Please help us to spread the news about RAF 90th Anniversary Festival on your favourite discussion forums, blogs and sites around the web. It will help us greatly to succeed with our aim. Thank you!

All submissions should be directed to

• In history articles, Brett Holman traces the origins of the birth of RAF as the Independent Air Force.
  
  
• Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding is the subject of our second article today. A Lifetime of Aviation describes the very beginnings of his aviation career and reflects upon the development witnessed by Dowding during his military career. By Martin Waligorski.
  
  
• In Photo Galleries you can find a collection of stunning photographs from the BBMF 50th Anniversary air display at Duxford, 5 May 2007. By Rover75.
  
  
• Spitfire images by Ronnie Olsthoorn is our second gallery entry in this update, with many stunning images.

Enjoy.

Labels: history, site updates, webmaster

Thank you for a fine and informative website. We particularly enjoyed the video section.

But no music !

Please have a listen to our song : " Mr Mitchell's Angel" - a tribute to the Spitfire, to those who built it, to those who flew in it, and above all to its creator, RJ Mitchell.

Ivor & Kevan Bundell

• Ivor & Kevan Bundell - "Mr. Mitchell's Angel", available for online listening as well as MP3 download.
  
  
• We have also four great new Spitfire movie clips in the Video section:
  • Spitfire Tribute
    
  • Merlin Sounds over Beachy Head
    
  • Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in Formation
    
  • Tribute to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

Labels: site updates, warbirds

• If you're interested in RAF history of the World War II period, you should have heard about Sutton harness. But what exactly was the Sutton harness, and how did it work? Olav Hungnes provides an explanation in his article The Sutton Harness on the Spitfire.

Labels: reference, site updates

• In the Articles section, a report about the most recent Spitfire excavation undertaken this month in County Durham in North-East England. Spitfire Emerges From its Peat Bog Grave - About Spitfire Mk. II P8563. Written by Elfrieda Waren (welcome onborad, Elfrieda!).
  


• The Historic Photographs section has been enhanced with a set of photographs entitled Homecoming, showing the arrival of No. 312 (Czechosolovak) Squadron in Czechoslovakia after VE-day.

Labels: history, site updates

• First of all, there is a new section - Event Calendar. My intention is to share and spread information about the events interesting for a Spitfire enthusiast: airshows, exhibitions, modelling contests, meetings, museum events. To start with, I have assembled a list of this year's airshows which offer a chance to see a Spitfire in the air, in UK and worldwide.
  
  If you want any other event to be included, do not hesitate to email me, stating the name, time, location and short description of the event and I will add it to the calendar.
  
  
• Today there are also three new additions in our Art & Memorabilia gallery. Spitfire artwork of Pavel Rampir, "Spitfires over Darwin" by Noel Barnes and "Eagles Above Dieppe" by Vladimir Urbanek. Pavel Rampir is a debuting contributor to this site and we're glad to have him onboard.
  
  
• I have also reviewed the previous article Jungle Survivor - A Spitfire Pilot's Escape from Japanese-Occupied Borneo, adding new quotes and some additional clarifications in the initial part of the text. If you haven't read this feature before, now is the perfect time to do it.
  

Labels: history, site updates

• I'm glad to be able to deliver the second rather sizable addition for this week. Considering the subject of our site, it was inevitable that we would include a story about Reginald J. Mitchell, the engineering genius behind the Spitfire. Personally I'm not very fond of formal "encyclopedia-style" biographies, so I'm particularly glad to present John Dell's essay which takes on a rather personal view of Mitchell's life and achievements. Enjoy his two-part story Mr. Mitchell, Designer of the Spitfire - In Memory of a Brilliant Mind in the Articles section
  
  
• In Modelling, we have a beautiful 1/32 Spitfire Mk.II "Borough of Lambeth" modelled by Hans-Peter Tschanz from Switzerland.

Another new occurrence on the site, introduced yesterday, are commercial ads. Why ads? Well, it is my long-term objective to support - wholly or partially - the cost of the site's operation with ads, and today I'm taking the first step in this direction. I'm not hoping to get a profit - considering the amount of man-hours I'm currently putting into it - but perhaps be able to expand the site with photo galleries, forum and other interactive features, many of which require more sophisticated hosting, more bandwidth or additional software. Time permitting, there's so much more I would like to add.

In this initial period, I will be trying Google textual ads to see how they will perform. Obviously I would like the ads to be relevant to the interests of our visitors. With the Google system, the ads are supposed to be matched automatically with the subject of each page. I understand that it may take one or two weeks for the Google system to "learn" which ads are the right ones, so I'm eager to see how good the results will be.

I hope you will find the ads a meaningful addition to the Spitfire Site.

Labels: history, modelling, site updates, webmaster

• Entitled Spitfire Mk. IX, XI and XVI - Variants Much Varied, Olav's three-part feature analyses all the bumps, blisters and other modifications introduced to the Spitfire Mk. IX/XVI during its long production run.
  


• It's been a while we had a new model on these pages, so I'm pleased to announce the excellent 1/32 Spitfire Mk.II conversion submitted by Swiss modeller Hans-Peter Tschanz.
  

Labels: modelling, reference, site updates

• A new image has been added in Historic Photographs section. This is one of the series showing early Spitfires of No. 611 Squadron at Biggin Hill in December 1942.
  


• New video in the Video Section is the computer animation showing the Spitfire Mk. I cockpit. The level of detail and accuracy in this one is such as to be sufficient to serve as modellers' reference.
  

I have also started a new section of the site, Variants & Technology. Articles in this category will be devoted to the variants of the Spitfire, it's construction and design. I am currently working on preparing the first features and will announce them as soon as they're ready.

Labels: history, site updates, videos

• Jean-Marc Berthe presents colour views of arguably the most important Spitfire of them all - the K5054 prototype.
  
  

On the subject of the Spitfire prototype, a site well worth visiting is www.k5054.com. As name implies, this is site devoted entirely to the Type 300 Prototype K5054, and the initial Spitfire production that followed. Well worth your surfing time.

I'll be away travelling next week and probably away from this blog. I'm looking forward to adding more features when I'm back, maybe including that vast library of walkaround photos that are waiting in my editorial pipeline. See you then.

Labels: history, site updates

• A new two-part article in the History section is entitled Jungle Survivor - A Spitfire Pilot's Escape from Japanese-Occupied Borneo. The article tells the story of F/O Fred Inger, pilot of No. 457 "Grey Nurse" Squadron RAAF, who had to bail out over Borneo and managed to escape back to his unit.
  
  
• A review of Spitfire-related aviation art in the Art & Memorabilia gallery continues. Two new paintings added today are Stanislav Fejfar's Spitfire Mk. VB and Sqn/Ldr McKay's Spitfire Mk. VIII - by Vladimir Urbanek and Noel Barnes respectively.
  
  
• Readers' comments pour now at a steady pace in the Historic Photographs section. Prompted by one of these posts, I have further researched and revised the text accompanying the image of Enigma Bare-metal Spitfire, and I think I'm closer to the definitive description of this aricraft.

Labels: history, site updates

• A new article in the History section is How Blitzkrieg Became the Blitz. Perhaps not strictly about Fighter Command ot the Spitfire, i feel that this essay by Brett Holman is relevant to the overall subject of this site.
  


• In Videos, we have two new clips provided by Stewart Hecht, showing two Canada-based Spitfires filmed during the 2007 Geneseo Air Show.
  

Labels: history, site updates, warbirds

• In Historic Photographs, we have a pair of photographs showing an interesting aerobatics display Spitfire from Czechoslovakia. Readers will note that we're looking for more specific information about this aircraft and its use.
  


• Nostalgia attack awaits in the Video Section - how about watching Spitfires flying to the music of Vera Lynn's The White Cliffs of Dover? Guaranteed to bring the mood of the past years.
  


• New contributions in the Art & Memorabilia gallery have been kindly provided by aviation artists Troy White and Vladimir Urbanek. There are six works in all:
• Skalski's Circus
• "Tiger's Strike"
• "Eagles"
• "Entrevero Total"
• "One Hawk Breaks Up Many Crows"
• "Moesi Illir"
  
  
• Last but not least, we have two new models on display in Scale Modelling section. Both are Tamiya kits: Spitfire PR Mk. IF conversion by Fabrice Fanton and Yellow Nose QV-K modelled by Charlie Whall.

Labels: history, modelling, site updates, warbirds

• Building Xtrakit Spitfire Mk. XII is a pictorial review of this newest injection-moulded 1/72 Spitfire kit. Presented by Magnus Fridsell.
  

I'd like to add a few words about the background of today's addition. Last week I had a pleasure of meeting my Internet friends - two visitors from Norway, Nils and Mats and my modelling club colleague and IPMS co-editor Magnus. Nils and Mats were on the week's visit to Stockholm for archive research.

I have known Nils as a prolific modeller, aviation writer and the founder of Vingtor Decals. Although we had been occasionally corresponding for many years, we haven't previously had the opportunity to meet in person.

Nils is doing a research on courier connections between Britain and Sweden during the war, while Mats was searching for archive material on Junkers Ju 52 use in Scandinavia for a forthcoming Vingtor book. It is always equally surprising to me to see how aviation enthusiasts find plenty to talk about already during their first meeting. This occasion was no exception. It's been a long and very enjoyable evening with Italian dinner and many discussions. I have learned a lot of practical things for my own book project which I will put to good use.

I'm also sure that the results of this meeting will, in one way or another, affect this site. I have already received some interesting information to add the finishing touches to the Rolf Arne Berg article from few days ago. Other submissions from Norway are on my to-do list. And I'm glad to have Magnus newest creation, the Xtrakit Spitfire Mk. XII presented so throroughly on these pages.

Labels: modelling, site updates

• A new image in Historic Photographs section with another great example of hand-painted D-Day stripes is the one showing Spitfire spotters of the US Navy.
  


• I have also added an article by STeven D. Hill telling the history of VCS-7, the only US Navy unit operating Spitfires during the war. Entitled Spitfires of the US Navy, it is available in Articles.
  

Labels: history, site updates

• In Camouflage & Markings, we have a portrait of one of the most colourful Spitfires to be flown in the ETO after D-Day - personal aircraft of Norwegian W/Cdr Rolf Arne Berg.
  


• Today we have also have an addition in Art & Memorabilia gallery. Its a sculpture to be installed at Rolls-Royce factory in Bristol, symbolising both the Merlin and the Spitfire.

The latter sculpture together with other recent works of the same artist can also be seen at Messum’s Fine Art gallery, London, starting on Wednesday 6th February. The exhibition will last until 1st March.

Labels: history, site updates

• The fifth and concluding part of the series Battle of Britain in the Words of Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding. This part describes the various measures undertaken by Fighter Command Headquarters to cope with the shortage of trained fighter pilots.
  
  
• Two new additions have been made also in the Historic Photographs section. These include images of the famous sharkmouth RAAF Spitfires on Morotai.

We have also a technical problem which appeared yesterday. Due to some service interruption on Blogger's side, the label metafeeds are no longer available. In ordinary terms this means that the Historic Photographs, Video and Art & Memorabilia sections cannot be browsed by category at the moment. New additions, however, are available as usual. I'm working on the solution.

Labels: site updates, webmaster

• Darwin Spitfire presented by Fabrice Fanton is a conversion of 1/48 Tamiya Mk. V with Airwaves C-wing.
  
  
• Jeff Webb is the author of another 1/48 Tamiya Spitfire today, finished as Mk. IB of No. 602 Squadron.
  

Also, here something of interest for anyone wanting to build an accurate Spitfire Mk. IX in 1/48 scale. It is a fact of life that the curved shapes of the Spitfire have proved notoriously difficult for kit manufacturers to replicate accurately. Consequently, despite the abundance of 1/48 Spitfire kits on the market we still do not have a modern, dimensionally accurate injection-moulded Spitfire Mk.IX in this scale (see this comparison of available kits at Hyperscale).

The UK company Aeroclub has been specialising in Spitfire correction and conversion sets for a long time. The newest product from this company is a corrected fuselage for Hasegawa Mk. IX kit. The set is injection-moulded and includes alternate lower cowlings for early and late air intakes. See the review of this set at Hyperscale.

Labels: modelling, site updates

• A new video has been added in the Video Section tonight. Entitled "Spitfire Guardians", it is a promotional clip for the commercial Spitfire documentary produced for the History Channel. Although short, it is a commendable piece in its own right.
  

Labels: site updates, videos

• Tim Prosser : Coming into land
  
  
• Tim Prosser: Over the cliffs of Dover
  
  
• Troy White: Shark Patrol
  
  
• Troy White: Dover Patrol
  
  
• Michael Short: Double Strike On The Zuider Zee
  

Labels: site updates

• A new image has been added in Historic Photographs section. This is the previously shown photo of Spitfires at B.88 Heesch, but this time it is accompanied by additional information provided by Joop Thuring.
  


• Today's addition in our Art & Memorabilia gallery shows an interesting connection between the Spitfire and the American automotive industry, and mind you, it's not about Packard Merlin production.
  

Labels: history, site updates

• Spitfire PR Mk. ID Trop
  Fabrice Fanton returns with a model of a rather unusual photo-reconnaissance bird.
  
  
• The Duke Spitfires
  A modelling postscript to the story of Canadian twin brothers Douglas and Bruce Warren who flew Spitfires with No. 165 Squadron RAF.
  
  
• Spitfire PR Mk. XI in 1/32nd Scale
  Tony Grand debuts on these pages with an impressive conversion of 1/32 Hasegawa Spitfire Mk. V to PR Mk. XI.
  
  
• W/Cdr Ian Gleed's Spitfire
  Arguably the best known of all African Spitfires. Model in 1/48 scale by Erik Whipple.
  
  
• Tim Prosser's Spitfire Collection - Part 5 (Interlude)
  Some of the Spitfire's contemporaries in the RAF service modelled and photographed by Tim Prosser
  
  
• Spitfire Night Fighter
  Another expertly-finished 1/48 Spitfire from the collection of Ricardo Dacoba
  
  
• Spitfire LF Mk. V in Portuguese Service
  1/72 Tamiya Spitfire Mk. Vb built in the markings of the Portuguese Air Force. By Geoff Abreu.

Labels: modelling, site updates

• In the Historic Photographs section, No. 127 Squadron historian Mr. Andy Ingham revisits the Grimbergen mud theme, with another interesting story accompanying the image. When I started this section, I wanted every picture to tell a story, but the quality of the research accompanying our recent contributions surpassed my initial expectations by a wide margin. Very warmly recommended. Keep 'em coming.
  


• In Scale Modelling section, there is also something beyond the ordinary. Jim Kiker provides a two-part tutorial to Modelling Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk. XIX - The Complete Conversion Guide for 1/48 Scale. A very well-researched conversion illustrated with many in-progress images.
  


• Today I have also made an adjustment to the previously published guide to RAF Airfields in Mainland Europe, 1944-45. The interactive listings which allow for virtual visits to airfield locations using Google Earth have been enhanced so that each list of airfields can be opened and marked in Google Earth all at once. Rather than having to click on every geolocation link individually, visitors can now open the entire set of data and interact with it as a whole directly in the target application.

If you haven't installed Google Earth, I suggest you give it a try; it is free, detailed and the experience of virtual sightseeing around the globe is rather incredible. Whenever time allows, I intend to use it to illustrate the geography of historical events.

Labels: history, modelling, site updates

• The fourth installment of the series Battle of Britain in the Words of Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding tells the story about difficulties of defence against the night Blitz.
  
  
• A new contribution from Pat Murphy in the Historic Photographs section is the amazing story of twin brothers flying the Spitfire - read the incredible Spitfire twins. Two pictures are included.
  


• In modelling, Magnus Fridsell presents his neatly finished Fujimi Spitfire LF Mk. XIV in 1/72 Scale.
  

Labels: history, modelling, site updates

• A new image in the Historic Photographs section. This one is showing Spitfire Mk. V of No. 453 Squadron RAAF with lots of detail useful also for modellers.
  


• New video has been added in the Video Section. This one, for a change, is a genuinely old RAF instructional film providing an overview of daily maintenance duties on Spitfire Mk. I.
  


• Last but not least, today's addition in the History section is the first installment of the new reference feature, RAF Airfields in Mainland Europe, 1944-45. Added today is the introductory part and two portions of the airfield listing which cover 2nd TAF operations in France.
  

The last article is somewhat special in that it offers interactive features. Based on the available data, I have included geolocation links for each airfield. If you have Google Earth on your computer (or a comparable geography browser), this feature will give you an opportunity for virtual sightseeing of airfield locations. I can heartily recommend spending a few moments doing this - it's an educational experience. Indeed, many of the airfields and installation still exist today, but spotting the traces of war in satellite images makes for an interesting challenge. Give it a try. If you don't have Google Earth, you can download it for free here.

Labels: history, site updates, videos