Recent content by DavidIsby

David Isby (spitfirevsbf109) on Pinterest In doing the research for my recent book, I obtained many more photographs from the US National Archives at College Park than I could use. I have filled three 50-illustration boards at PINTEREST with some of these photographs. I have tried to...

Source Material | Spitfire vs BF109 I have posted some pdf 30 documents on Second World War aircraft and air warfare for downloading at the website for my book THE DECISIVE DUEL: SPITFIRE VS 109. I hope to add some more documents soon (as soon as technical issues permit)! David Isby

I am making available some 150 historical photographs on three boards at PINTEREST. I collected many more photos for THE DECISIVE DUEL than I was able to publish. These are mainly black and white photographs from the US National Archives on Second World War military aviation. One reason I...

Thanks, to answer your question, it takes both aircraft from their initial conception to their current status at Duxford air displays. I certainly used Sarkar's work as sources. Overall, good stuff, but I think his biographies (Dowding Johnson) are the best. david isby

My latest book, THE DECISIVE DUEL: SPITFIRE VS. 109, published by Little, Brown, is now available in hardcover and paperback editions at bookstores throughout the UK, as well as from on-line sources including Amazon.Com. The Decisive Duel: Spitfire vs 109: Amazon.co.uk: David Isby: Books...

I believe I state the obvious in saying that this author does NOT constitute a reliable source. However, having said that, I reread his 109 book recently after going through more recent English and German language sources on this airplane, and it does check out. However, Caidin's weakness...

One of the reasons for the superior high altitude performance of the Bf 109F over the Bf 109E-3 was the improved design of its supercharger air intake. I have seen figures that the Bf 109E-3 had a ram air recovery (percentage of possible air it can cram into its intake) of some 37.5 percent...

This is a great story. Does anyone know of any reputable source for it? “In a meeting with Willy Messerschmitt, the head of the Technical Office of the Luftwaffe pointed out that while the speed of the Me 109 was perfectly within requirements, that the Luftwaffe needed was a fighter ‘with the...