SUPERMARINE AIRCRAFT SINCE 1914 - Tapa dura

"Couched in the real language of aviation, with scarcely a wasted word, this book features a mass of fascinating key material from surviving company records, illustrated by countless new photographs, the discovery of which is itself a notable achievement." Air Pictorial

Supermarine, one of the great names in British aviation, was associated from its earliest days with flying boats and amphibians - the Channel Type and Sea Eagle saw early airline service, and the Sea Lions initiated Supermarine's association with the international Schneider Trophy contests. The Spitfire, arguably one of the world's best-known aeroplanes, owed its existence to Supermarine's Schneider seaplane experience and the highly successful collaboration with Rolls Royce. After the war Supermarine played a major part in the development of jet aircraft for both the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. This title traces the company's entire development; beginning with the aircraft company founded at Woolston by Noel Pemberton-Billing and concludes with the Type 316-318 B.12/36 Bomber. It is illustrated with some 300 photographs and with nearly 80 general arrangement drawings, which include some, hitherto unpublished projects. Appendices cover the dispersal of Spitfire aircraft production, a list of production types and a list of serial numbers by type.