The Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VII Book Review

By Michael Benolkin

Review

Phil Listemann is an author and publisher from southwestern France that specializes in interesting historical RAF monographs. In this title, the author looks at the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VII, the RAF's solution for high-altitude intercept. Supermarine started the first major rework of the Spitfire which included the a pressurized cockpit (like the Mark VI), the ability to use three different marks of the supercharged Merlin engine, a retractable tail wheel, revised ailerons and more. Development problems delayed production of the Mark VII which resulted in incremental improvements to the Mark V to produce a 'temporary' solution - the Mark IX. By the time the Mark VII was ready, the high-altitude threat over the UK was gone and the Mark IX was meeting operational needs.

The author looks at the introduction and operational use of the Spitfire VII during the war. Each squadron is covered with operational summaries and combat statistics accompanied by period photography. The title is supplemented with color profiles illustrating the standard and presentation schemes worn by the aircraft.

This title covers another Spitfire mark and compliments the previous Spitfire titles in this series.

My sincere thanks to Phil H. Listemann for the review sample.