Squadrons No.52
The Supermarine
Spitfire Mk.IX
Former Canadian Homefront Squadrons
Philedition
S u m m a r y : |
Catalogue Number, Description and ISBN: |
Squadrons No. 52
The Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX
Former Canadian Homefront Squadrons
by
Phil H. Listeman
Illustrations by Gaetan Marie
ISBN: 979-1096490-88-2 |
Contents & Media: |
Soft-cover format, 48 pages. |
Price: |
Available online from www.raf-in-combat.com and selected retailers |
Review Type: |
First Look |
Advantages: |
Useful to both modellers and those interested in the history of aircraft and its early involvement in the war good set of well reproduced personal photos and very nice coloured profiles. |
Disadvantages: |
Spelling error on the cover. |
Conclusion: |
An interesting and valuable volume for both the historian and modeller that adds another chapter to the literature on the use of this aircraft by Commonwealth air forces. Recommended. |
Reviewed by Graham Carter
This is a 52-page case-bound A4 ‘bookazine’ with a glossy card cover and is the latest in this long series of editions covering specific squadrons using a variety of Allied fighters and light bombers during WWII. It contains 48 pages of information on semi-matte paper and 4 more that are either blank or advertise other volumes.
This volume covers the three Canadian Spitfire Squadrons that had operated on the Home Front (not the ‘Homefront’ used in the title) in Canada. It appears that, in this volume, the term ‘Home Front’ refers to these squadrons being part of the defensive squadrons based in Canada and then being posted in NW Europe in 1944-45 to boost the Allied advances on Germany. So it is not specifically referring to the defence of the UK home counties we usually associate with the term. The three squadrons covered are RCAF 441,442 and 443. The first part is an introductory and cursory history of the Spitfire IXs use in WWII. The role of Johnnie Johnson as Wing Leader of these Canadian Squadrons is acknowledged.
The main part of the volume is concerned with these squadrons. Each is treated with a variable coverage looking at a their actions, bases, and personnel. These are quite detailed and interesting. Each is accompanied by tables of battle claims, and aircraft losses due to action or accidents, interspersed with useful photos of aircraft and personnel from private sources, all in B&W. Quality is a little variable depending upon the originals, but are interesting in that they often show casual scenes around the planes. There follows an ‘In Memoriam’ table of details of the pilots and crew who lost their lives while flying with these squadrons and what a sobering epitaph these are.
The volume then concludes with nine excellent colour profiles of representative aircraft from the squadrons by Gaetan Marie of BravoBravo Aviation. These later war Spitfires are depicted in the standard Dark Green/ Ocean Grey over Medium Sea Grey with Sky spinners and tail bands, with one 441 Sqn example displaying black and white recognition bands on fuselage and wings.
Thanks to Phil Listemann for the review sample.
Review Text Copyright © 2022 by Graham Carter
This Page Created on 5 July, 2022
Last updated
5 July, 2022
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