Following closely to the blueprint established by the previous FlyPast specials Eighth Airforce - Fields of Glory and Bomber Command, this latest in the series looks at the airfields of Fighter Command. Emphasis is placed on the order of battle for those crucial months of August and September 1940 and all the major Fighter Command Groups are examined in detail.

The period from summer 1940 to the end of that year is universally recognised as one of the great chapters in aviation history. For a few short months, Fighter Command of the Royal Air Force was pitted against the might of the German Luftwaffe in a struggle that would determine the course of World War Two. Just under 3,000 pilots, from 14 nationalities, fought on the RAF side in the Battle, and of these some 507 were killed. The RAF claimed to have shot down 2,698 German aircraft, although post-war research has reduced this figure to 1,733. The Luftwaffe claimed to have shot down 3,058 RAF aircraft, but subsequent analysis has reduced this to 915.

However, for Fighter Command this was not the end of its war but simply its beginning - ahead lay nearly five years of intensive combat. This commemorative magazine looks at the Command from 1939 to 1945, paying particular attention to key developments and events but to some extent glossing over many aspects of the Battle of Britain. However, the Orders of Battle (ORBAT) on which we have based the subsequent individual Group articles focus on the situation pertaining during the Battle, the two months of July and September being used to determine the airfields that are included. Also included are articles on the Polish Squadrons, researching pilots' histories, the role of the Defiant and the Gladiator plus much more - and there is a competition to win Fighter Command memorabilia.

The Magazine also includes features on a variety of Battle of Britain subjects:

• Polish Fighter Squadrons
• Fighter Station at War (Northolt)
• The Gloster Gladiator
• Researching Pilot's Histories
• Memorabilia and Memorials
  and more

This FlyPast 100-page Battle of Britain special is perfect-bound and goes on sale September 4, 2003.

Available at the price of only £3.99 from all leading newsagents or directly from Key Publishing LTD post FREE! (UK only) Overseas please add £1 P&P

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