Ebook Aircraft of the Aces: Polish Spitfire Aces 127 by Wojtek Matusiak in DOC, PDF, TXT
9781472808370 1472808371 Of all Allied airmen, Polish pilots had had the most experience of fighting the Luftwaffe by the time the war came to Britain. As the Battle of Britain raged, they quickly proved themselves as highly aggressive and skilful interceptors, especially when flying the famous Spitfire. The Polish Air Force eventually became the largest non-Commonwealth Spitfire operator, using some 1,500 Mks I, II, V, IX and XVI to devastating effect. Top scoring USAAF ace of the ETO, Francis Gabby Gabreski and a whole host of other Allied and Commonwealth aces flew with Polish squadrons, adding even more to their fighting quality. Conversely, several Polish pilots were attached to other Allied squadrons throughout the war, demonstrating their prowess alongside airmen from a whole host of nations. From an expert on Polish fighter aviation, this is a peerless account of the fiery, talented Polish Spit pilots, whose country had been overrun and whose aggression and determination to shoot down Axis aircraft was unmatched., Polish pilots first flew the Spitfire prior to World War 2, when a group of test pilots arrived in Britain to try the latest RAF fighter types. Attempts to purchase Spitfires for Poland's air arm pre-war proved fruitless, however. It was in RAF squadrons during the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940 that Polish pilots first flew Spitfires in combat. At the same time the Polish Air Force was re-formed in Britain alongside the RAF, and it eventually became the largest non-Commonwealth Spitfire operator. Polish squadrons used some 1500 examples in several versions, namely Mks I, II, V, IX and XVI. Several Commonwealth and Allied aces also flew on operations with Polish Spitfire squadrons, among them the top scoring USAAF ace of the ETO, Francis 'Gabby' Gabreski. Similarly, Polish pilots flew various versions of the Spitfire with RAF and other Allied units. More than 50 Polish aces flew Spitfires at various times during the conflict, some 20 of them scoring five or more kills on the type. Osprey Aircraft of the Aces® Comprehensive histories of the elite fighter pilots, and the aircraft that they flew, A unique source of information researched by recognised experts, and brought to life by first-hand accounts from the combat veterans themselves, Concise, authoritative text is supported by at least 30 specially commissioned original colour artworks, new scale plans and the best archival photography from around the world Book jacket.
9781472808370 1472808371 Of all Allied airmen, Polish pilots had had the most experience of fighting the Luftwaffe by the time the war came to Britain. As the Battle of Britain raged, they quickly proved themselves as highly aggressive and skilful interceptors, especially when flying the famous Spitfire. The Polish Air Force eventually became the largest non-Commonwealth Spitfire operator, using some 1,500 Mks I, II, V, IX and XVI to devastating effect. Top scoring USAAF ace of the ETO, Francis Gabby Gabreski and a whole host of other Allied and Commonwealth aces flew with Polish squadrons, adding even more to their fighting quality. Conversely, several Polish pilots were attached to other Allied squadrons throughout the war, demonstrating their prowess alongside airmen from a whole host of nations. From an expert on Polish fighter aviation, this is a peerless account of the fiery, talented Polish Spit pilots, whose country had been overrun and whose aggression and determination to shoot down Axis aircraft was unmatched., Polish pilots first flew the Spitfire prior to World War 2, when a group of test pilots arrived in Britain to try the latest RAF fighter types. Attempts to purchase Spitfires for Poland's air arm pre-war proved fruitless, however. It was in RAF squadrons during the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940 that Polish pilots first flew Spitfires in combat. At the same time the Polish Air Force was re-formed in Britain alongside the RAF, and it eventually became the largest non-Commonwealth Spitfire operator. Polish squadrons used some 1500 examples in several versions, namely Mks I, II, V, IX and XVI. Several Commonwealth and Allied aces also flew on operations with Polish Spitfire squadrons, among them the top scoring USAAF ace of the ETO, Francis 'Gabby' Gabreski. Similarly, Polish pilots flew various versions of the Spitfire with RAF and other Allied units. More than 50 Polish aces flew Spitfires at various times during the conflict, some 20 of them scoring five or more kills on the type. Osprey Aircraft of the Aces® Comprehensive histories of the elite fighter pilots, and the aircraft that they flew, A unique source of information researched by recognised experts, and brought to life by first-hand accounts from the combat veterans themselves, Concise, authoritative text is supported by at least 30 specially commissioned original colour artworks, new scale plans and the best archival photography from around the world Book jacket.