{"product_id":"star-spangled-spitfires-tony-holmes-9781473889231","title":"Star-Spangled Spitfires","description":"Through the medium of period photography, Star-Spangled Spitfires chronicles the combat operations of the USAAF units equipped with the iconic Supermarine fighter whilst employed in both the European and Mediterranean theaters of war, from the summer of 1942 right up to the end of the conflict. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eOnly a handful of British combat aircraft wore the stars and bars of the USAAF during the Second World War, with the Beaufighter, Mosquito and Spitfire being the key types to see action with American crews in American squadrons. The Spitfire was, by some margin, the most widely used of the three, and the Yanks that flew it in combat rated the fighter very highly. Employed primarily by the six squadrons of the 31st and 52nd Fighter Groups, initially from airfields in the UK and then in North Africa and Italy, the Spitfire was used both as a fighter and fighter-bomber until it was replaced by the P-51 Mustang from the spring of 1944. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe final star-spangled Spitfires in the frontline were the Eighth Air Forces high-flying and unarmed PR XI photo-reconnaissance aircraft, flown by to the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group alongside F-5 Lightnings from November 1943\\. Ranging as far into Germany as Berlin, the PR Blue Spitfires provided critical target imagery both pre- and post-strike for the Mighty Eighths heavy bombardment groups through to April 1945. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAll feature here across a series of black and white and color images that all capture some unique aspect of the star-spangled Spitfire's illustrious service career.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Tony Holmes\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1473889235\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781473889231\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Pen and Sword Aviation\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/08\/2017\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 112\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.90lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.60h x 7.40w x 0.40d","brand":"Tony Holmes","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":44123873902847,"sku":"9781473889231","price":22.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_48929333-b830-4c58-8937-b4b9e14904a7.jpg?v=1687433392","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/star-spangled-spitfires-tony-holmes-9781473889231","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}