The epitome of grace, beauty and design, the Supermarine Spitfire was one of the most deadly fighters of WWII. The Spitfire prototype, designed by Supermarine¿s Chief Designer R.J. Mitchell, first flew in 1936. By the time the Battle of Britain began in earnest, nineteen Spitfire squadrons were available to the RAF. Their pilots were most often tasked with engaging Luftwaffe fighters, including the Bf-109. With its superior maneuverability, it proved more than a match. This pilot¿s flight operating handbook, for the Model IIa and IIb, was originally produced by the Royal Air Force during World War II. It has been slightly reformatted but is reproduced in its entirety. It provides a fascinating view inside the cockpit of one of history¿s great planes.

How to fly the legendary Spitfire fighter plane in combat using the manuals and instructions (pilot notes) supplied by the RAF during the Second World War.

February issue includes Appendix entitled Directory of United States Government periodicals and subscription publications; September issue includes List of depository libraries; June and December issues include semiannual index

Questions concerning safety in aviation attract a great deal of attention, due to the growth in this industry and the number of fatal accidents in recent years. The aerospace industry has always been deeply concerned with the permanent prevention of accidents and the conscientious safeguarding of all imaginable critical factors surrounding the organization of processes in aeronautical technology. However, the developments in aircraft technology and control systems require further improvements to meet future safety demands. This book embodies the proceedings of the 1997 International Aviation Safety Conference, and contains 60 talks by internationally recognized experts on various aspects of aviation safety. Subjects covered include: Human interfaces and man-machine interactions; Flight safety engineering and operational control systems; Aircraft development and integrated safety designs; Safety strategies relating to risk insurance and economics; Corporate aspects and safety management factors --- including airlines services and airport security environment.

The heroic life of the pilot who became an ace with one of the most successful fighter squadrons in the RAF and a captive in a notorious Nazi POW camp. Following training, Lee received his commission and was posted to 501 Squadron which was sent to support the Expeditionary Force in France, arriving on 10 May, only hours after the Blitzkrieg had been launched. Lee quickly opened his score, claiming several bombers during the first week of operations. Having been wounded when his Hurricane exploded following a dogfight, Lee was briefly rested but soon rejoined the Squadron before they moved to their first Battle of Britain base at Middle Wallop. Lee scored more damaged and destroyed enemy aircraft and by the end of July he was Mentioned in Dispatches. Lee was forced to take to his parachute for the second time, learning of the richly deserved award of his DFC while still recovering from his wounds. He later recalled how each of the Squadrons aces, even Ginger Lacey, had been shot down at least twice during that summer. Lee was later posted to 112 (Shark) Squadron, flying Curtis Kittyhawks on Fighter and Fighter-Bomber missions in North Africa and then to 260 Squadron which was heavily involved in the lead-up to the battle of El Alamein, seeking out and destroying enemy troop columns and fighting off the Luftwaffe which still had air superiority. In March 1943, 123 Squadron began Fighter-Bomber operations against Mediterranean targets. During one Lee was hit by AA and made a forced landing in an olive grove. He was captured and sent to Stalag Luft III just in time to play a key role in the Great Escape.