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A Tale of Ten Spitfires (Hardback)

The Combat Histories of Spitfire VCs AR501 to AR510

Aviation > Aircraft > Spitfires & Hurricanes Aviation > Royal Air Force WWII

By Andrew Critchell
Imprint: Pen & Sword Aviation
Pages: 180
Illustrations: 35
ISBN: 9781526728098
Published: 12th September 2018

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The Fw190’s supremacy over the Spitfire V is a classic legend from the Second World War, heralding one of the darkest times for Fighter Command and the RAF. A Tale of Ten Spitfires brings this legend to life by examining the individual combat histories of ten Spitfire VCs, the first of which is the Shuttleworth Collection’s well known Spitfire AR501, followed by the next nine on the production line, AR502 to AR510.

This link to a ‘living’ airframe, which has recently flown again after an epic 13 year restoration, will appeal to both enthusiasts of AR501 and anyone with a wider in interest in this classic British icon.



Through first hand accounts, combat reports, unit diaries and more, the book provides a unique looking glass into the period, told via the experiences of the Spitfire pilots themselves, tracing their fates and those of the ten machines that they flew.

Author interview on War Scholar

War Scholar

Critchell uses a significant body of research to make his case. He presents amazing details not only on the life of each airframe, but also its pilots.

Air Power History

Featured by

Aviation History, September 2019

The stories of these iconic aircraft are told via fascinating first hand accounts, combat reports, unit diaries and other official documents.

RAF News 30/11/18

This is a very interesting and unusual book that, rather than describing an aircraft type, its development or operational use, looks at a number of individual airframes.

Obviously the result of a considerable amount of research, A Tale of Ten Spitfires provides an interesting insight in to the air war of 1942-44.

IPMS Magazine Nov-Dec 18

Can confirm my original impression--it's an outstanding concept (unique as far as I know) and a great, easy read for WWII aviation enthusiasts. An enormous amount of research was required, and a good result was obtained.

Aviation author and historian Donald Caldwell

About Andrew Critchell

Having a passion for military aviation history for as long as he can remember, Andrew has contributed numerous articles and photographs to aviation magazines both in the UK and Europe since his first image was published in Flypast magazine in 2000. The result of an article idea that ran wild, A Tale of Ten Spitfires is Andrew’s first book.

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