82 pages - 1996 - Used, acceptable This Special Edition of FlyPast Magazine - which contains many photographs, colour illustrations and a cutaway drawing - celebrates the Spitfire's 60th Anniversary. Characteristics Book cover finish Offset varnish, Perfect paperback Special features First edition, Special Edition, Interlard, Original edition ( O.E. or Or.E ) Condition Used, acceptable Number of pages 82 Published date 1996 Language English Collection / Series FlyPast Size 21.1 x 30 x 0.4 cm Author Authors’ collective Editor Key Publishing Ltd. Description ON SEPTEMBER 5TH, 1939, Spitfire Mk Is of No. 65 Squadron scrambled from their base at Hornchurch in search of an unidentified " raider ". They returned having found nothing, but in effect, this sortie opened the Spitfire's operational career. At the outbreak of the Second World War on September 3rd, 1939, the R.A.F. had over 300 Spitfires in service - a major achievement considering that the first unit, No. 19 Squadron at Duxford, had only re - equipped in August 1938 and that by March the following year only four Squadrons had received the new fighter. The initial production problems evident following the first flight of the prototype ( K5054 ) on March 5th, 1936, had been largely overcome but they had resulted in a significant delay in the type's entry into service. When the Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment ( A.&A.E.E. ) at Martlesham Heath flight trialed K5054 in September 1936 it concluded that " the aeroplane is simple and easy to fly and has no vices. The controls are well harmonised and appear to give an excellent compromise between manoeuvrability and steadiness for shooting. " ( ... ) Excerpt from page No. 6.
