Whatever it Takes: A select history of the Spitfire in Israeli service

摘要

The story of the early days of the Israeli Air Force is an amazing one. Literally starting from nothing, the very fact that Israel was not immediately overrun by its many Arab enemies at the time is a testament to the resolve of the forefathers of this budding nation. Created on the 10th of November 1947, the first 11 aircraft to be operated by Israel's Shin Aleph ('Air Service') consisted of a motley selection of the Tiger Moth, Zlin, Taylorcraft, Auster, RWD-13 and the Dragon Rapide. None of the above being front line fighters, the precarious position of a country surrounded by nations with hostile intentions is obvious.The few Rapides available played a dual role of providing air cover for vital convoys while also ferrying in supplies to the besieged communities.