The RAF Battle of Britain Fighter Pilots' Kitbag (Paperback)
Uniforms & Equipment from the Summer of 1940 and the Human Stories Behind Them
Aviation All Frontline Books Battle of Britain Spitfires & Hurricanes Frontline: WWII Frontline: Aviation Royal Air Force
+£4 UK Delivery or free UK delivery if order is over £30
(click here for international delivery rates)
Need a currency converter? Check XE.com for live rates
| Other formats available | Price |
|---|---|
| The RAF Battle of Britain Fighter… Kindle (10.7 MB) Add to Basket | £8.99 |
| The RAF Battle of Britain Fighter… ePub (5.4 MB) Add to Basket | £8.99 |
The scenes are familiar ones; the young ‘Brylcream Boys’ sat at dispersal waiting for the haunting call of ‘Scramble’, lounging in their shirt sleeves and fur-lined boots, their leather flying helmets lying limp by their side. But what did the RAF fighter pilots of the Battle of Britain really wear, and what vital items would their kitbags have held?
The casual air of the dashing pilots of Fighter Command in the Spitfire Summer of 1940 conceals a necessarily professional approach to their task of holding Hitler’s Luftwaffe at bay. Therefore, each item of clothing and equipment they wore and carried had a role and a function, be it for warmth and comfort, communication, or for fighting and survival.
All the objects that an RAF fighter pilot was issued with during the Battle of Britain are explored in this book in high-definition colour photographs, showing everything from the differing uniforms, to headgear, personal weapons, gloves, goggles, parachute packs and the essential Mae West life jacket. Each item is fully described and its purpose and use explained.
Relive Britain’s finest hour as never before – through the actually clothing and accoutrements of ‘The Few’.
This is an interesting and well researched book. Although it may hold limited interested to many wargamers it would be valuable to those who are planning either “Operation Sealion” centred games to include RAF Personnel (e.g Warlord Games downed RAF Pilot) or those wanting to bring an air combat game to life with more detailed models of RAF airfields to wage war above.
Wargames Illustrated
Read the complete review here.
Sussex Local magazine, June 2018
As well as being an absorbing read, this title is a valuable reference source for historians, re-enactors, modellers and wargamers.
RAF News
Article: 'Exploring Battle of Britain Kitbag' as featured by
Chichester Observer
Article: 'Fontwell author explores the kitbag of a Battle of Britain pilot' as featured by
West Sussex County Times and Mid Sussex Times, 5th April 2018
Article: 'WWII fighter pilot's kitbag' as featured by
West Sussex Gazette, 28th March 2018
Supported by excellent colour photography the author has compiled a first class and well researched guide to the subject. A must for collectors both novice and seasoned.
Amazon
A fascinating book on a subject which is often overlooked. Reading about the actual gear the pilots wore during the Battle of Britain, coupled with many superb illustrations gives the reader a feel of those times. History in print.
Michael J. Patrick, author
About Mark Hillier
Mark Hillier is a chartered surveyor who has a deep knowledge of the history of the RAF, with a particular focus on the Second World War. He is also a qualified pilot, having flown for more than twenty-two years. Mark currently flies a Stearman biplane from Goodwood Aerodrome, the former RAF Westhampnett. He has previously written or co-authored five successful books on aviation, including the biography of Wing Commander Thomas Murray DSO, DFC and Bar, contributed numerous magazine articles and is a regular public speaker on aviation matters.
Pen and Sword Books
About Us | Contact Us | Delivery Information | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Affiliates | Terms and Conditions | Backlist | Mailing List
© Pen and Sword Books Limited 2018. Registered in England No. 2527258.
Registered Office: 47 Church Street, Barnsley, S70 2AS.