A Couple of Books for Christmas

[Gate Master]

Dear All,
Something different this time, I received 2 books this Christmas the first one is called Spitfire, The Biography by Jonathan Glancey and published by Atlantic Books
I have only briefly flicked through this so far but it looks good and the sleeve notes are very praising, the Epilogue is an interview with Diana Barnato Walker !

The Second Book which I have started reading is Spitfire Women of World War Two by Giles Whittell published by Harper Press. This tells the story of how lots of young women from Britain and aroud the world came to Britain to fly Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancasters by joining the Air transport Auxillary..the ATA.

It starts with Lettice Curtis then continues with Amy Johnson, Jan Hughes, Freydis Leaf, Maureen Dunlop,Ann Wood, Ann Blackwell, Jackie Cochran, Pauline Gower, Audrey Sale, Diana Barnato Walker and of course Jackie Sorour (Moggridge).
There are many stories and incidents and one thing I found was when Jackie was flying a Tempest she intercepted a V1 and watched it do its final dive. There is also a mention of her flying in a 2 Seater Spitfire in 1994, Absolute Heaven I would think as there is no mention of where and what in.....

With a number of interviews with the few survivors I can recommend this to all who wish to relive what these remakable ladies managed during 1940-1945 and also what they did after the war.

OK next chapter

Regards
Andy D

[James Wheeler]

Hi Andy,

I received the first book you mentioned as a gift which I hope to get into shortly.

I bought a book last Saturday which I finished on Thursday, it is not aviation related but it is an incredible read about the PWRR serving in Iraq some time ago to defend a place called Cimic house. The book is called 'Sniper One' by Sgt Dan Mills and I can thoroughly recommend it, I couldn't put it down!

James

[Gate Master]

James,
Thanks for that I'll pop down to Maher and have a look for it...the Spitfire Biography does look interesting as I have read a few bits and pieces so far.
Andy

[ROBH]

I had "SPITFIRE portrait of a legend" by Leo McKinstry, by the time you get to page 6 you realise how special these aircraft are.
Particulary like the part where two ex Lufwaffe pilots who were piloting an executive jet for german businessmen would wander over to where a Spit was being restored.
Each time they would pat the cowling with admiration and mutter "wunderbar". Yes they are very special.