{"product_id":"how-to-fly-a-spitfire","title":"How to Fly a Spitfire","description":"\u003cdiv id=\"ContentPlaceHolder1_BookSubtitlePal\" class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-12 px-0 pb-2\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"ContentPlaceHolder1_BookSubtitleLbl\" class=\"book-subtitle\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Nut-and-Bolt Guide to the World's Greatest Aircraft\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"ContentPlaceHolder1_BookAuthorPal\" class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-12 px-0 py-2\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"ContentPlaceHolder1_BookAuthorLbl\" class=\"book-author\"\u003eHattie Hearn, Adi Gilbert\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-12 px-0 py-2\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"book-author\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-12 px-0 py-2\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStep into the cockpit of the legendary Supermarine Spitfire and discover what it really takes to fly Britain’s most iconic fighter. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eFirst flown in March 1936 and operated decisively throughout the Second World War and beyond, the Spitfire is considered a mechanical work of art. Its elegant elliptical wings, powerful Rolls‑Royce Merlin engine and pivotal role in the Battle of Britain have secured its place in history, and in the hearts of aviation enthusiasts worldwide. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eHow to Fly a Spitfire\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003etakes you on a fascinating, hands‑on tour of this remarkable machine. Much more fun than an overly technical manual, it offers a\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ereadable, richly illustrated and step‑by‑step walkthrough\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eof the Spitfire’s controls and systems, giving a unique impression of what it was like to actually pilot one. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eFor example, you’ll discover: \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePre‑flight essentials\u003c\/strong\u003e, including how to prime the Merlin engine, set trim and complete cockpit checks. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlying techniques\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003esuch as taxiing with limited visibility, mastering take‑off and landing and understanding the four forces of flight. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNavigation and communication methods\u003c\/strong\u003e, from dead reckoning and gyrocompass use to altimeter readings and WWII radio protocol. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCombat skills\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethat cover dogfighting tactics, precision gunnery and aerobatic manoeuvres like barrel rolls, loops and Split‑S. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePractical maintenance know‑how\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efor keeping a Spitfire airworthy, including oil changes and undercarriage fixes. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ehistory and legacy of the Spitfire\u003c\/strong\u003e, with stories from the Battle of Britain, its global service and post‑war restoration projects. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePacked with detailed diagrams and practical know‑how, this book brings the Spitfire to life for aviation fans everywhere. Marking 90 years of the plane’s invention, it invites you to experience the thrill of flight and discover what makes this legendary aircraft so unforgettable. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-8 col-sm-9 py-1\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"ContentPlaceHolder1_BookFormatLbl\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"sr-only\"\u003eFormat: \u003c\/span\u003eHardcover Book 192 Pages\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-8 col-sm-9 py-1\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"ContentPlaceHolder1_IsbnPal\" class=\"row book-info-details\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-8 col-sm-9 py-1\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"ContentPlaceHolder1_BookEan13Lbl\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"sr-only\"\u003eISBN: \u003c\/span\u003e9781836009795\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row book-info-details\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-8 col-sm-9 py-1\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"ContentPlaceHolder1_BookSizeLbl\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"sr-only\"\u003eSize: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e6.69 in x 9.06 in \/ 170.00 mm x 230.00 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row book-info-details\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-8 col-sm-9 py-1\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"ContentPlaceHolder1_BookPubDateLbl\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"sr-only\"\u003ePublished Date: \u003c\/span\u003eApril 9th, 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56777802350972,"sku":null,"price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2428\/5821\/files\/Howtoflyaspitfire.jpg?v=1778748376","url":"https:\/\/shop.birminghammuseums.org.uk\/products\/how-to-fly-a-spitfire","provider":"Birmingham Museums Trust","version":"1.0","type":"link"}