Overview

The Spitfire Mk V was widely used from 1941 onwards and came at the time the Fighter Command of RAF in Great Britain was expanded with new fighter squadrons being formed that year and the following year. Among those units there were the units formed with Australian nationals, Nos 452 and 457 Squadons, which were replaced by No 453 Squadron when 452 and 457 were sent to Australia to defend the country against Japanese raids in 1942. Later on, in the Middle East, a fourth Australian squadron became a fighter squadron after having been a tactical reconnaissance unit since its formation in 1941. The operational activity of each squadron on the Spitfire Mk V is fully described here in 68 pages, illustrated with close to 80 photos, as well 14 colour profiles illustrating twelve concise biographies (paperback version).