{"product_id":"the-blue-arena-first-edition-1986-by-bob-spurdle","title":"The Blue Arena. FIRST EDITION 1986. By Bob Spurdle.","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Blue Arena By Bob Spurdle.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublisher: Kimber, London, FIRST EDITION 1986.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery good hardback with jacket, binding firm, some bumping to corners and spine ends, fading and marks, no inscriptions, pages very good.\u003cbr\u003eJacket has some light shelf\/edge-wear with minor marks.\u003cbr\u003e249 pages, illustrated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReturning 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 Armoured Division tank. Such a diverse range of flying and combat operations by one person makes this an almost unique record of a WWII combat career.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eALL PHOTOS ARE OF THE ACTUAL BOOK. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll books are sent with free courier postage within New Zealand.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Phoenix Books NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50015828508919,"sku":null,"price":54.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0603\/7687\/5255\/files\/IMG_9081_36b8f65c-4507-4706-b398-31187af7f4ba.jpg?v=1756173993","url":"https:\/\/phoenixbooksnz.com\/en-us\/products\/the-blue-arena-first-edition-1986-by-bob-spurdle","provider":"Phoenix Books NZ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}