Description

 Many Kiwi pilots flew the Spitfire in its various marks, from the early days of WWII and this impressive publication covers those associations as well as of post-war Spitfires based in NZ, mainly by corporate owners and displayed over many air shows. Gerard Morris’ Spitfire book, the product of more that five years of research, touches on the conception and RAF introduction of the fighter, then the Kiwi pilots serving in the pre-war RAF who flew it. A good number of NZ pilots flew Spitfires during the Battle of Britain and in 1941 No 485 (NZ) Squadron RAF was formed with the majority of the pilots having NZ origins, while numerous of their contempories were assigned to other RAF squadrons throughout the conflict. serving in most threatres of war and at sea with the Fleet Air Arm. The author has covered all these aspects, and numerous others, with his comprehensive account of WWII, which is contained in Part One of the volume and includes the NZ pilots who served in 485 Squadron and lists those assigned to other RAF Spitfire squadrons .A chronology of the war years is included. Part two, “The Post-War Years,” reviews visits to NZ of aircraft carriers which operated navalised versions of the Spitfire, records surviving Spitfires from 485 Squadron, preserved examples of the type and notes on the pilots then flying these aircraft. Appendices also form a valuable part of the book including a roll of honor of all NZ Spitfire/Seafire pilots lost in WWII, details of individual Spitfire varients allocated to 485 Squadron (plus three-views of several marks) and NZ Presentation Spitfires. These are followed by a glossary and list of major WWII operations involving 485 Squadron, bibliography and extensive index.