This book examines the reality behind the myths of the legendary RAF fighter aces during the Battle of Britain. It edxplains why only a small minority of pilots - those in whom the desire for combat overrode everything - accounted for so large a proportion of the victories. It surveys the essential skills of a successful fighetr pilot - a natural aptitude for flying, marksmanship and keen eyesight. The development and evolution of fighter tactics are analysed and the history of the classic fighter aircraft that were flown, such as the Spitfire and the Hurricane are explained, together with an examination of each type's characteristics, advantages and disadvantages in combat. The accounts of the expereinces of foghter pilots are based on archival research, diaries, letters published and unpublished memoirs and personal interviews with veterans. The pilots included are Robert Stanford Tuck, Adolph 'Sailor' Malan, Geoffrey Page, Al Deere, Peter Toensend and Brian Kongcome. AUTHOR: Philip Kaplan has written several books on the lives of fighting men in World War II. Five of these, The Few, Little Friends, Round the Clock, Fighter Pilot, and Bombers, were devoted to the experiences of aircrew. He has also written two classic accounts of warfare at sea, Wolfpack and Convoy, plus the recently published by Pen nSword, Night and Day Bomber Offensive and Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffw in World War II. He is of American birth but lives in Cheltenham, UK. 32 pages of b/w photos
