Synopsis
As one of Sailor Malan's Tigers, a Spitfire dominated Bob Spurdle's WWII flying career with 74 Squadron. Impatient to fly and a rebel against blind officialdom, he wangled one operational posting after another, and was still in action in August 1945. In the meantime he had destroyed eight enemy aircraft, probably four more, and damaged at least 15 others.
After leaving 74 Squadron he flew with both 91 Squadron and the Merchant Ship Fighter Unit before visiting his native New Zealand to fly against the Japanese. Returning to the UK in 1944 as a flight commander in 80 Squadron, he became their Commanding Officer in July of that year.
Latterly he was attached to the 6th Airborne Division for Army Co-operation flying by glider into Germany and then reaching the Elbe by 11th Armored Division tank.
A natural writer, Bob Spurdle vividly expresses the exhilarations and fears of the fighter pilot in action, what it feels like to be jumped by a gaggle of Me109s, coping with the continual pressures of losing friends and of constantly flying in action as part of an elite force on whom the survival of Britain and her allies depended.
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The Blue Arena
Published by
Crecy Publishing Limited, 1995
ISBN 10: 0947554580
ISBN 13: 9780947554583
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The Blue Arena
Published by
Crecy Publishing Limited, 1995
ISBN 10: 0947554580
ISBN 13: 9780947554583
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Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
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Hardback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR006639947
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The Blue Arena
Seller: Invicta Books P.B.F.A., Builth Wells, POWYS, United Kingdom
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Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. illustrated, 249 pages, revised edition. Seller Inventory # 023682
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The Blue Arena
Published by
Crecy Publishing Limited, 1995
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ISBN 13: 9780947554583
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Seller: J C ( Antiquarian) Books, Watton, NORFO, United Kingdom
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Bob Spurdle, The Blue Arena,1995,2nd edition, pp249, original black cloth cover with gilt spine & original dust cover, contains black & white photographic/drawn illustrations. Condition: pages contain occasional marking to margins. Black cloth cover shows general sign of shelf-wear. Dust jacket has general wear with occasional markings. Otherwise a good, clean and tight copy. Seller Inventory # 2290
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The Blue Arena Squadron Leader Bob Spurdle, DFC and Bar
Seller: Berkshire Books, Concord, CA, U.S.A.
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Hardcover. Condition: F. Dust Jacket Condition: F. Revised Edition. Fine in fine dustjacket; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 249 p. Seller Inventory # 2640
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The Blue Arena
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ISBN 10: 0947554580
ISBN 13: 9780947554583
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The Blue Arena (TL)
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Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1995 updated edition , no inscriptions not price clipped. Seller Inventory # Scs1319
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The Blue Arena
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Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. Revised edition. Excellent hardback copy in Near-fine jacket. Seller Inventory # 040447
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THE BLUE ARENA , Squadron Leader Fighter Pilot WW2
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Crecy Books Ltd, UK, 1992
ISBN 10: 0947554580
ISBN 13: 9780947554583
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Hard Back. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1st Edition Thus, H/b D/j both FINE.Profusely illustrated with 48 b/w. illustrated b/w photographic plates, 3 facsimiles & in line. WW2 War Fighter Pilot Dive Bomber Squadron Leader B Spurdle DFC and Bar.[ Spitfire pilot,Sailor Malan's Tigers, he was still in action in 1945 - 74 & 91 Squadrons - Merchant Ship Fighter Unit - Flight commander 80 Squadron] Intro; acks; Foreword,Biblio; Gloss; 4 Appendices.16 chpts.book no inscsp, dust jacket not price clipped,now in clear easily Removable proprietary protective sleeve .Please see our actual image of the book offered for sale. Seller Inventory # 120138
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The Blue Arena
Published by
Crecy Publishing Limited, 1995
ISBN 10: 0947554580
ISBN 13: 9780947554583
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Seller: Trumpington Fine Books Limited, Gilmilnscroft, Ayrshire, Scotland, United Kingdom
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. 249pp. Scarce. 1995 reprint in hardback. A lovely, clean, tight very good plus copy in like wrapper. No inscriptions. The text supported by numerous photographic reproductions and illustrations. Original publisher's blue boards - gilt embossed to the spine. Slight bumps to the head and tail of the spine with slight associated creasing to the overlying wrapper. A very faint tiny largely insignificant soil mark to the leading fore-edge. A former previous owner's name sticker with text largely removed to the front paste-down - the paste-down remains fully intact under the sticker. The wrapper has been price-clipped. A lovely, clean, tight, fresh copy. Seller Inventory # SKU003357