Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 3, 2010 23:18:22 GMT 12
Spitfire -Return to Flight
By Brendon Deere
Review by Dave Homewood
One of the recent highlights on New Zealand's aviation scene has been the return to flight of the Deere family's marvellous Spitfire. Brendon Deere was already familiar to New Zealand aviation enthusiasts for his two volumes of Military Wings, which feature potted histories and photo spreads of various RNZAF aircraft types, and the Spitfire project had been a much followed and anticipated restoration. Now, following the incredible experience of returning a Spitfire to the air, and allowing it to be flown at public events as a tribute to his uncle Alan Deere, Brendon has recorded the story behind this epic task in Spitfire: Return To Flight.
Essentially this book tells four interconnected stories. It begins with a brief overview of the Supermarine Spitfire as a type, covering the development, variants and roles. This sets the scene for the next chapter which is about Alan Deere and his incredible RAF career. Although two highly regarded books have been published about Al Deere already in the past, his own superb autobiography Nine Lives and Richard Smith's Alan Deere: Wartime Commander; Peacetime Leader, Brendon is able to add another personal perspective on his uncle's life. The great respect and admiration for his uncle comes across strongly in Brendon's words, and it is easy to see why he was inspired to embark on the immense project of acquiring and rebuilding a WWII fighter to fly in Al Deere's honour.
The third section of the book is about that fighter itself, the history of Spitfire PV270. The fascinating story of this machine is being told in full for perhaps the first time, and what an adventurous life this particular Mk IX Spit has lead so far. It served with the RAF, the Italians, the Israelis and then with the Burmese. The derelict aircraft was eventually brought out of its resting place in Burma and came to New Zealand to begin its rejuvenation. Therein is the last story in this quartet. The painstaking restoration of the aircraft is seen and described stage by stage, through to the first flight and airshow debut, where it has since stamped its presence on the New Zealand aviation scene.
There are of course a multitude of other sub-stories woven throughout the brilliantly written narrative, including several stories of other New Zealand Spitfire pilots.
The design and layout of this book is extremely attracting and one of the outstanding qualities is the hundreds of photographs that chronicle every period of the Spitfire's history. Brendon has gathered together amazing historical shots from the Deere family's albums and wartime days, and from the various points in PV270's own service career. He has also taken step by step photos of the restoration process, and the book also offers an array of stunning post-restoration shots of the Spitfire back in the air where she belongs. The airshow photographs and the Gavin Conroy air to airs are breathtaking. Moreover, Brendon has gone the extra mile to ensure that almost every photograph in the book has a detailed and lengthy caption attached, often running of paragraph length. Brilliant.
Whilst the well researched captions are informative, the main body text is very easy to read, written in Brendon's relaxed, very accessible style and brimming with enthusiasm for the project and interest for the reader.
Additionally, numerous quotes are dotted throughout the book, many quoting Alan Deere himself from interviews, his own book or extracts from his combat reports. There are passages also from other Spitfire pilots, various authors and a variety of other sources. Each in its own way adds a little to the amazing experience that this book is.
As well as the many photos illustrating this story, there are also numerous fine art paintings depicting Spitfires, some great technical drawings of the Spitfire and some very nice side view profiles of the various colour schemes PV270 has worn in the past. There are also chapters contributed by other pilots such as Paul Stockly and Pete Cochran. There is a walkaround photo section for modellers to see close up details of the aircraft, and some stunning recent photos from Warbirds Over Wanaka 2010.
The book has forewords from both Chief of Air Force Air Vice Marshal Graham Lintott, and wartime No. 485 Squadron pilot Doug Brown.
In conclusion I think this is a gorgeous book about a beautiful aeroplane. It pays tribute to the Spitfire itself and to the project's inspiration, Alan Deere. And a very moving touch is it has also been dedicated to the memory of Nick Cree, Hayden Madsen, Daniel Gregory, Andrew Forster and Benjamin Carson, five kiwis who have recently given their lives in the service of their country in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
The book will be released within the coming weeks. The recommended retail price is $69.95 and I would say to any Spitfire enthusiast and fan of the New Zealand warbirds movement it is worth every cent, especially since Brendon says, "All proceeds from the book will support the public commemoration flights of Spitfire PV270 and obviously web site sales assist that objective the most." You can order your copy now from Brendon's website at www.spitfirepv270.co.nz
Or you can attend one of Brendon's events and meet the author and his guests. The official launch will be at:
Capital Books in Wellington on Tuesday 17th of August 2010
Joining the author Brendon Deere will be Austin Hayward (a Spitfire pilot who flew with No. 242 Squadron in WW2 who features in the book) along with one of PV270's display pilots John Lanham.
Another book signing session will take place at Hotshots store at Ohakea on Wednesday 18th of August at 5.00pm with Austin Hayward joining Brendon again.
Inspection copies are currently situated at Capital Books (Wellington), PaperPlus (Palmerston North) and Hotshots Ohakea
Spitfire - Return to Flight by Brendon Deere
Published August 2010 by ITL Aviation
ISBN 978-0-473-16711-0
Hardback with dustcover
304 pages
Coloured and Black & White photos throughout on almost every page.
www.spitfirepv270.co.nz
RRP: NZ$69.95
By Brendon Deere
Review by Dave Homewood
One of the recent highlights on New Zealand's aviation scene has been the return to flight of the Deere family's marvellous Spitfire. Brendon Deere was already familiar to New Zealand aviation enthusiasts for his two volumes of Military Wings, which feature potted histories and photo spreads of various RNZAF aircraft types, and the Spitfire project had been a much followed and anticipated restoration. Now, following the incredible experience of returning a Spitfire to the air, and allowing it to be flown at public events as a tribute to his uncle Alan Deere, Brendon has recorded the story behind this epic task in Spitfire: Return To Flight.
Essentially this book tells four interconnected stories. It begins with a brief overview of the Supermarine Spitfire as a type, covering the development, variants and roles. This sets the scene for the next chapter which is about Alan Deere and his incredible RAF career. Although two highly regarded books have been published about Al Deere already in the past, his own superb autobiography Nine Lives and Richard Smith's Alan Deere: Wartime Commander; Peacetime Leader, Brendon is able to add another personal perspective on his uncle's life. The great respect and admiration for his uncle comes across strongly in Brendon's words, and it is easy to see why he was inspired to embark on the immense project of acquiring and rebuilding a WWII fighter to fly in Al Deere's honour.
The third section of the book is about that fighter itself, the history of Spitfire PV270. The fascinating story of this machine is being told in full for perhaps the first time, and what an adventurous life this particular Mk IX Spit has lead so far. It served with the RAF, the Italians, the Israelis and then with the Burmese. The derelict aircraft was eventually brought out of its resting place in Burma and came to New Zealand to begin its rejuvenation. Therein is the last story in this quartet. The painstaking restoration of the aircraft is seen and described stage by stage, through to the first flight and airshow debut, where it has since stamped its presence on the New Zealand aviation scene.
There are of course a multitude of other sub-stories woven throughout the brilliantly written narrative, including several stories of other New Zealand Spitfire pilots.
The design and layout of this book is extremely attracting and one of the outstanding qualities is the hundreds of photographs that chronicle every period of the Spitfire's history. Brendon has gathered together amazing historical shots from the Deere family's albums and wartime days, and from the various points in PV270's own service career. He has also taken step by step photos of the restoration process, and the book also offers an array of stunning post-restoration shots of the Spitfire back in the air where she belongs. The airshow photographs and the Gavin Conroy air to airs are breathtaking. Moreover, Brendon has gone the extra mile to ensure that almost every photograph in the book has a detailed and lengthy caption attached, often running of paragraph length. Brilliant.
Whilst the well researched captions are informative, the main body text is very easy to read, written in Brendon's relaxed, very accessible style and brimming with enthusiasm for the project and interest for the reader.
Additionally, numerous quotes are dotted throughout the book, many quoting Alan Deere himself from interviews, his own book or extracts from his combat reports. There are passages also from other Spitfire pilots, various authors and a variety of other sources. Each in its own way adds a little to the amazing experience that this book is.
As well as the many photos illustrating this story, there are also numerous fine art paintings depicting Spitfires, some great technical drawings of the Spitfire and some very nice side view profiles of the various colour schemes PV270 has worn in the past. There are also chapters contributed by other pilots such as Paul Stockly and Pete Cochran. There is a walkaround photo section for modellers to see close up details of the aircraft, and some stunning recent photos from Warbirds Over Wanaka 2010.
The book has forewords from both Chief of Air Force Air Vice Marshal Graham Lintott, and wartime No. 485 Squadron pilot Doug Brown.
In conclusion I think this is a gorgeous book about a beautiful aeroplane. It pays tribute to the Spitfire itself and to the project's inspiration, Alan Deere. And a very moving touch is it has also been dedicated to the memory of Nick Cree, Hayden Madsen, Daniel Gregory, Andrew Forster and Benjamin Carson, five kiwis who have recently given their lives in the service of their country in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
The book will be released within the coming weeks. The recommended retail price is $69.95 and I would say to any Spitfire enthusiast and fan of the New Zealand warbirds movement it is worth every cent, especially since Brendon says, "All proceeds from the book will support the public commemoration flights of Spitfire PV270 and obviously web site sales assist that objective the most." You can order your copy now from Brendon's website at www.spitfirepv270.co.nz
Or you can attend one of Brendon's events and meet the author and his guests. The official launch will be at:
Capital Books in Wellington on Tuesday 17th of August 2010
Joining the author Brendon Deere will be Austin Hayward (a Spitfire pilot who flew with No. 242 Squadron in WW2 who features in the book) along with one of PV270's display pilots John Lanham.
Another book signing session will take place at Hotshots store at Ohakea on Wednesday 18th of August at 5.00pm with Austin Hayward joining Brendon again.
Inspection copies are currently situated at Capital Books (Wellington), PaperPlus (Palmerston North) and Hotshots Ohakea
Spitfire - Return to Flight by Brendon Deere
Published August 2010 by ITL Aviation
ISBN 978-0-473-16711-0
Hardback with dustcover
304 pages
Coloured and Black & White photos throughout on almost every page.
www.spitfirepv270.co.nz
RRP: NZ$69.95
and I simply cannot wait to read it!
I await this book with intense interest!!
