Review Spitfire in Israeli Air Force book from White Crow Publications

Spitfire Mk. IX in the Israeli Air Force Service 1948-1956

written by Alex Yofe ISBN # 0-9774627-0-6

Review by Steve Bamford on June 14 2006

--------------------

This 152 page softcover book from White Crow Publications uses 366 historical photos (many from private collections that have never been published before) to tell the tale of the Israeli Air Force Spitfires. You will also find 16 pages of colour profiles, including 51 profiles in total.

This book is based on 17 years of research and is arranged into 11 chapters that cover:

First Spitfires
Operations Velveta I and II,
Operations during the War of Independence
Clashing with the RAF
REAF Spitfires
After the War
Spitfire to Burma
Retirement
Israeli Spitfire Survivors
Camouflage & Markings
Individual Histories & General Data

As for images you get:

370 black and white photos,
4 colour photos,
51 sideview colour profiles
5 of these profiles have 3 views of the top and both sides

The photos and images are clearly printed on glossy paper in a very organized book. To realize that this many historical photos remain from the early days when the Israeli Air Force flew spitfires is very thrilling for history buffs.


battle damage photos	in-flight photos	battle damage photos

This books tells the tale of the Spitfires in service with the Israeli Air Force in great detail explaining how the first Spitfire was built from abandoned RAF spare parts and some critical components from a shot down Egyptian spitfire. The book progresses through the full history of the Spitfires as they were built from parts and later purchased despite efforts by some governments to prevent the new state of Israel from acquiring an air force.

One aspect that caught my eye is the battle damaged planes in the many photos that would be of particular interest to modellers wanting to build a more unique diorama.


crash photos	crash photos	pilot photos

The book follows the Israeli spitfire story until the spitfires were phased out in favour of more modern jet aircraft.

The book finishes with the story of the Israeli spitfire survivors in Israel, in Burma and in private collections around the world.

The story of the Israeli spitfire in the Israeli Air force is quite the tale.

If you have an interest in the Israeli Air Force and the spitfires it used or just in the IAF or spitfires in general......you will find this book quite an interesting read and the photos will make you smile....what a treasure trove of photos.

Colour profiles

You can purchase this book from White Crow Publications at wings48.com or through your favourite book store.

Steve

I'd like to thank Alex at White Crow Publications for the review sample.

Future books from White Crow Publications will include the Avia S-199, B-17, P-51 Mustang, DH Mosquito, Harvard and Piper Cub with the Israeli Air Force.