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Supermarine Spitfire Restoration Manual: An Insight into Building, Restoring and Returning Spitfires to the Skies Hardcover – February 1, 2014

by Paul Blackah (Author), Louise Blackah (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 97 ratings
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The Spitfire remains one of the most iconic combat aircrafts of all time and to own an airworthy example of this classic fighter is the Holy Grail for many wealthy Warbird collectors. For an aircraft that first flew more than 70 years ago and which went out of production in the early 1950s, it may seem odd to discover that there is a flourishing industry centered on this aircraft in the 21st century. Scratch-building brand new Spitfires or restoring original examples to airworthy condition has become big business, with aircrafts changing hands for several million dollars apiece. Husband and wife author team Paul and Louise Blackah look into what is required to find a Spitfire that's suitable for restoration and then return it to the skies. With Paul's vast experience in restoring and maintaining the RAF BBMF's Spitfires, and both Paul and Louise's contacts in the aircraft restoration community, this promises to be a unique look inside the world of Spitfire building and restoration in the 21st century.

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  1. Print length
    202 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Haynes Publishing UK
  4. Publication date
    February 1, 2014
  5. Dimensions
    8.5 x 0.75 x 11 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0857332244
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0857332240
  8. See all details
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About the Author

Paul Blackah joined the RAF in 1976 and trained as an airframe fitter. In 1993 he was posted to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. His specialized knowledge of vintage aircraft is considered crucial to the maintenance of the aircraft in the flight. In the 1990s, Paul was closely involved in the restoration-to-flight of the Messerschmitt Bf109F 'Black 6'. He lives in Lincolnshire, England.

Louise Blackah is also an aircraft enthusiast and has worked with Paul Blackah on his other books.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Haynes Publishing UK (February 1, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 202 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0857332244
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0857332240
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.98 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.75 x 11 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 97 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
97 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Frank Savage
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book, beautifully produced (quality of print
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2014
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Wonderful book, beautifully produced (quality of print, color photos, binding, paper). This book lets the reader/viewer get an up-close look at the zenith of fighter aircraft that permits one to feel like they could look over the bird, climb in, fasten belts and straps, fire up the Merlin, taxi out across the turf, push up the throttle, and take her up into the skies of Southeast England, circa August 1940 of course. Would it be possible to add a CD of sounds of engine start up, take off and low-level fly-bys? Add a few bucks to the price. Just a thought. Or, let me take one up for a bit. I'll pay for the gas (petrol I mean).Thanks for the superb book. Spitfires have earned this kind of great treatment. Cheers mate, and good hunting.
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E Bay Z1
5.0 out of 5 stars ... iconic planes in the air for future generations to enjoy.
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2018
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Shows how an industry has built up in order to keep these iconic planes in the air for future generations to enjoy.
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Daryl Carpenter
4.0 out of 5 stars Frequently fascinating, but only for serious WWII aircraft buffs
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2014
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The iconic Supermarine Spitfire was the subject of a Haynes "workshop manual" co-authored by Paul Blackah in 2006. While that book touched upon the subject of modern-day Spitfire restoration, the subject occupies the majority of this book. Every step of the process of restoring a relic to flying condition is covered, from disassembling and detailing parts, sourcing components, engine restoration, fuselage assembly, painting, ground tests, and of course, filling out hundreds of pages of paperwork.

As someone fascinated by modern-day aircraft restoration, I got a kick out of the many excellent photographs of disassembled Spitfires and their components, along with the detailed asides from people involved in Spitfire restoration. I only noticed a few photos previously used in the 2006 manual, so you won't be re-paying for material you already own. Still, like a lot of Haynes books, this book doesn't get much of a chance to "breathe." It was advertised as 224 pages before release but seems to have been cut down to 202 right before publication. The photos are great, but I found myself wishing there were longer photo captions, or more detailed text descriptions, to accompany them.

I might be addicted to Haynes' "manuals," but I always find areas for improvement in them. The Spitfire Restoration Manual is no different. It has a lot of great material in it, but it doesn't really gel together quite as nicely as Blackah's previous Haynes titles. Still, If you enjoyed the Spitfire "workshop manual," and are seriously into aircraft restoration, you'll probably enjoy this one too.
4 people found this helpful
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R. Tifau
5.0 out of 5 stars QUITE ENJOYABLE... HIGH QUALITY!
Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2015
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EXCELLENT INSIGHT INTO THE SPITFIRE! No this will not allow you to go acquire and rebuild a Spit without further technical reference but it does provide insight into the process of restoration. An affectionado type fun to browse type of publication.
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DEMOTTE
5.0 out of 5 stars The good one for any modeler of Spitfires
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2016
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This is the right book I need. The good one for any modeler of Spitfires, a must to have.
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JAMES F JACOBS
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2017
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WELL PLEASED
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Limey
4.0 out of 5 stars Had great expectations
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2014
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I had waited a long time for this title and had expected much more from it from a technical perspective. Perhaps as I am an aerospace engineer I am being a little unfair as for the average person this is probably adequate.
Technically it just seems to be lacking; with a little more attention to detail it could have been so much more.
Criticism aside it does provide a general overview of the steps that need to be taken to both aquire and restore a Spitfire, arguably the most sought after of WWII warbirds amongst the thriving restoration community. It provides good photographs and a number of original Supermarine drawings of various parts to illustrate some of the challenges faced by the restorer of an aircraft designed, engineered and manufactured in a bygone era where quite often the materials used are no longer available, and the processes used in manufacturing parts and assemblies have been forgotten.
Overall I enjoyed this book, but felt wanting for more substance on the technical aspects.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

James H
5.0 out of 5 stars Fab book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 2, 2023
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Bought for my dad who loved it and think he wants to build a spitfire in the garden now 😂
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Fish out of water.
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Reviewed in Canada on July 10, 2019
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These books are unbelievable there is no way they could make them better.
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Paul Bell
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good for reference especially for modellers
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2023
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This is one to have if you are thinking about modelling the spitfire, great images and close ups of the engine cockpit and many other areas
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DCP4755
5.0 out of 5 stars If you love Spitfires, and you're bored with all the usual ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 15, 2015
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If you love Spitfires, and you're bored with all the usual "R.J.-Mitchell-designed-it-but-died-before-he-saw-his-creation-at-its-best-etc" type of book, then, this is the one for you!
We are talking PROPER Hayne's Manual-type stuff here.
Stripped down engines, nuts and bolts, photos of men in overalls with suspiciously-clean hands (always SO annoying ;-) ), torque settings, working diagrams, tales of derring-do, heroes beating the bally Hun, up-tiddly-up and a bing-bang-bong, looping the loop, victory rolls, flaps, oleos, sticks, Brownings, Griffons, Merlins and various other wizard chaps.
I leave my copy in the loo, and my girlfriend ("girlfriend" - at MY age!) has begun to understand the reasons why we SO love these rare birds.
Ladies: Buy it for any man in your life who has just a modicum of taste, and he will love you forever.
Men: Just buy it.
Model-makers: BUY IT!!!
10 people found this helpful
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You Rams
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 28, 2017
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Good book, all info taken from rolls Royce heritage society
One person found this helpful
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