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The Silver Spitfire
'The Silver Spitfire' is a first-hand, gripping story of Tom Neil's heroic experience as an RAF fighter pilot and his reminiscences with his very own personal Spitfire.
320 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2013
29 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Tom Neil
11 books7 followersThomas Neil joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) on 17th October 1938 and began his flying training at 17 E&RFTS, Barton, Manchester.
Called up on 2nd September 1939, Neil went to 4 ITW; Bexhill in early November.
On 1st December he was posted to 8 FFS, Montrose and on completion of the course, he was commissioned and joined 249 Squadron on 15th May 1940 at its reformation at Church Fenton.
Flying from North Weald on 7th September, Neil claimed a Bf 109 fighter destroyed, on the 11th a He 111 bomber, on the 15th two Bf 109s and a Do 17 bomber destroyed and another Do 17 shared, on the 18th a He 111 damaged and on the 27th a Bf 110 and a Ju 88 bomber destroyed, a Bf 110 fighter probably destroyed and a Ju 88 shared.
On 6th October, Neil shared in the destruction of a Do 17 bomber, on the 25th claimed a Bf 109 destroyed.
On 27th he claimed a Do 17 probably destroyed.
On 28th Neil shared in the destruction of a Ju 88 bomber.
On 7th November he claimed a Ju 87 and two Bf 109s destroyed. On this same day, Neil collided with Wing Commander F.V. Beamish during a patrol and lost his tail. He baled out of his Hurricane (V 7676), unhurt.
Thomas Neil was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 8th October 1940, and a Bar on 26th November 1940. He was made a Flight Commander in December.
In May 1941, 249 Squadron went to Malta in the Mediterranean. The squadron flew off the Ark Royal on the 21st, Neil leading the second group of Hurricanes.
After a series of mishaps and misadventures, they all reached Malta safely.
On 12th June 1941, Neil destroyed a Mc 200 fighter of Italy's Regia Aeronautica.
Tour expired, he left Malta on 26th December 1941 and returned to the UK, via the Middle East, South Africa, West Africa and Canada, finally arriving at Liverpool in early March 1942.
Neil was posted to 81 Group as Tactics Officer. He went to 56 OTU in mid-June and on 1st September 1942 he took command of 41 Squadron at Llanbedr.
In July 1943, he was posted to 53 OTU, Kirton-on-Lindsey, as an instructor. He later went to the 9th US Army Air Force, as Flying Liaison Officer with the 100th Fighter Wing. After D-Day Neil did some operational flying in France, as a supernumerary.
In January 1945, Neil was posted to the School of Land/Air Warfare at Old Sarum, instructing and lecturing.
Subsequently, he went to Burma in March 1945, investigating. Whilst there, he flew some operational sorties with No 1 Indian Wing. He returned to Old Sarum in April, leaving there in January 1946 to go on an Empire Test Pilots’ course at Cranfield.
Thomas Neil was awarded the Bronze Star Medal(US) (2-8-49) and the AFC (2-1-56).
Thomas Neil retired from the RAF in 1964, as a Wing Commander. In retirement, he has written a number of books and articles about his wartime experiences.
Neil passed away on July 11, 2018, three days shy of what would have been his 98th birthday.
Called up on 2nd September 1939, Neil went to 4 ITW; Bexhill in early November.
On 1st December he was posted to 8 FFS, Montrose and on completion of the course, he was commissioned and joined 249 Squadron on 15th May 1940 at its reformation at Church Fenton.
Flying from North Weald on 7th September, Neil claimed a Bf 109 fighter destroyed, on the 11th a He 111 bomber, on the 15th two Bf 109s and a Do 17 bomber destroyed and another Do 17 shared, on the 18th a He 111 damaged and on the 27th a Bf 110 and a Ju 88 bomber destroyed, a Bf 110 fighter probably destroyed and a Ju 88 shared.
On 6th October, Neil shared in the destruction of a Do 17 bomber, on the 25th claimed a Bf 109 destroyed.
On 27th he claimed a Do 17 probably destroyed.
On 28th Neil shared in the destruction of a Ju 88 bomber.
On 7th November he claimed a Ju 87 and two Bf 109s destroyed. On this same day, Neil collided with Wing Commander F.V. Beamish during a patrol and lost his tail. He baled out of his Hurricane (V 7676), unhurt.
Thomas Neil was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 8th October 1940, and a Bar on 26th November 1940. He was made a Flight Commander in December.
In May 1941, 249 Squadron went to Malta in the Mediterranean. The squadron flew off the Ark Royal on the 21st, Neil leading the second group of Hurricanes.
After a series of mishaps and misadventures, they all reached Malta safely.
On 12th June 1941, Neil destroyed a Mc 200 fighter of Italy's Regia Aeronautica.
Tour expired, he left Malta on 26th December 1941 and returned to the UK, via the Middle East, South Africa, West Africa and Canada, finally arriving at Liverpool in early March 1942.
Neil was posted to 81 Group as Tactics Officer. He went to 56 OTU in mid-June and on 1st September 1942 he took command of 41 Squadron at Llanbedr.
In July 1943, he was posted to 53 OTU, Kirton-on-Lindsey, as an instructor. He later went to the 9th US Army Air Force, as Flying Liaison Officer with the 100th Fighter Wing. After D-Day Neil did some operational flying in France, as a supernumerary.
In January 1945, Neil was posted to the School of Land/Air Warfare at Old Sarum, instructing and lecturing.
Subsequently, he went to Burma in March 1945, investigating. Whilst there, he flew some operational sorties with No 1 Indian Wing. He returned to Old Sarum in April, leaving there in January 1946 to go on an Empire Test Pilots’ course at Cranfield.
Thomas Neil was awarded the Bronze Star Medal(US) (2-8-49) and the AFC (2-1-56).
Thomas Neil retired from the RAF in 1964, as a Wing Commander. In retirement, he has written a number of books and articles about his wartime experiences.
Neil passed away on July 11, 2018, three days shy of what would have been his 98th birthday.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 10, 2025
This was a rather unusual war story. It’s about how Tom Neil appropriated a Spitfire for himself, flew it for over a year, and then the equally interesting story of how he got rid of it without anyone noticing, this especially after “a prominent air commodore had been court martialled for misappropriating a Gloster Gladiator”. The added spice to the story was that he had it stripped of paint and left in polished aluminum, which of course makes every full-blooded aircraft modeler lust to build a model.
Here’s a Spitfire similar to the Silver Spitfire, but not in aluminum finish:
Apart from that the book is full of anecdotes from his time with the US 9th Air Force, and while fighting the Japanese in Burma. All in his inimitable, and very funny style.
Very little air-fighting in this one, but what is much better is his descriptions of flying all sorts of aircraft , including the Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle, and of course a lot about the P-51 Mustang. Tom Neil flew an amazing number of different types, he is a veritable Winkle Brown, I’d love to read his log book.
And here is a P-51 Mustang in aluminium finish as flown by Tom Neil in 1944:
Here’s a Spitfire similar to the Silver Spitfire, but not in aluminum finish:
Apart from that the book is full of anecdotes from his time with the US 9th Air Force, and while fighting the Japanese in Burma. All in his inimitable, and very funny style.
Very little air-fighting in this one, but what is much better is his descriptions of flying all sorts of aircraft , including the Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle, and of course a lot about the P-51 Mustang. Tom Neil flew an amazing number of different types, he is a veritable Winkle Brown, I’d love to read his log book.
And here is a P-51 Mustang in aluminium finish as flown by Tom Neil in 1944:
March 23, 2013
"THE SILVER SPITFIRE" is one of the most delightful and colorful Second World War memoirs I've ever read. It begins with the author, then a young RAF squadron leader leading a group of Spitfires on a training flight in November 1943. Shortly thereafter, he (Neil) is transferred to serve (temporarily as a liaison) with the 100th Fighter Wing of the 9th Air Force, United States Army Air Force (USAAF). There he was "tasked with negotiating and overcoming the countless culture clashes that existed between the two allies." And what clashes there were! Neil managed to get on rather well with his American colleagues. He shares with the reader a number of interesting, and at times, amusing, experiences.
Neil also had the opportunity of flying a variety of American military and civilian aircraft during his time with the Americans. He has an unerring way of making the reader feel that he's in the cockpit with him. Those are among some of the most engaging parts in this book.
Later, in the aftermath of D-DAY, the 100th Fighter Wing is deployed to Europe as the Germans are being pushed back towards the frontiers of the Reich. While in France, Neil comes across an apparently abandoned Spitfire. Subsequently, Neil had it restored to full vigor and flew it extensively. He had the Spitfire stripped of its war paint, and thus it stood out in its pristine silver state.
Eventually, questions would arise about the Spitfire's origins. Neil realizes that something will have to be done with the Spitfire. But what? To find out, read this book and you'll find yourself back in the world as events unfolded (from the perspective of a 20-something RAF fighter pilot) between late 1943 and 1945.
Neil also had the opportunity of flying a variety of American military and civilian aircraft during his time with the Americans. He has an unerring way of making the reader feel that he's in the cockpit with him. Those are among some of the most engaging parts in this book.
Later, in the aftermath of D-DAY, the 100th Fighter Wing is deployed to Europe as the Germans are being pushed back towards the frontiers of the Reich. While in France, Neil comes across an apparently abandoned Spitfire. Subsequently, Neil had it restored to full vigor and flew it extensively. He had the Spitfire stripped of its war paint, and thus it stood out in its pristine silver state.
Eventually, questions would arise about the Spitfire's origins. Neil realizes that something will have to be done with the Spitfire. But what? To find out, read this book and you'll find yourself back in the world as events unfolded (from the perspective of a 20-something RAF fighter pilot) between late 1943 and 1945.
August 31, 2019
The Silver Spitfire is a book about the experiences of the author, Tom Neil, during his days of being a pilot for the Royal Air Force during world war 2.This book started with him joining an American fighter squadron as a liaison officer from the RAF and continues to talk about his journey as a pilot during WW2.In the process he tried out many different aircraft and finally claiming himself an abandoned silver spitfire until having to offload it at the end of the war.This book included a lot of black and white photos of planes and their pilots taken during the war, the author also included his personal feelings and emotions along with the description of the events that happened which makes the boo more interesting
December 21, 2017
Interesting but not really what I was expecting. The synopsis in my opinion was better written than the book itself.
Having said that, the pilot himself was brave fighting in the Battle of Britain and many other air campaigns. I like his honesty where he states he’d live to write he played a major part in D Day but he says he didn’t. I admire his honesty.
Great insight into the RAF & USAAF cooperation during the war.
Worth a read.
Having said that, the pilot himself was brave fighting in the Battle of Britain and many other air campaigns. I like his honesty where he states he’d live to write he played a major part in D Day but he says he didn’t. I admire his honesty.
Great insight into the RAF & USAAF cooperation during the war.
Worth a read.
August 10, 2018
An interesting diary of England at the end of the war and some of the inner workings of the air force but not a lot of action. It was a little disappointing that the "Silver Spitfire" of the title doesn't appear until well in to the book and then not much happens other than Tom flying it around trying to get rid of it.
Tom writes well so I'd be happy to read another of his books with a bit more action.
Tom writes well so I'd be happy to read another of his books with a bit more action.
August 5, 2019
An interesting memoir from a distinguished member of the RAF in World War II. Lots of interesting anecdotes about planes and flying, although not nearly enough detail about the title subject, the silver spitfire, as you're about halfway through the book before the author starts getting into the history of it. Could have used a more polished edit. Clearly targeted more for a U.K. audience, as much about life in England is left unsaid, as though the reader would already know.
April 28, 2020
What a delight this book was! It was such that when it came time to put it down for good, I found myself rather disappointed and wishing there was more.
To you, reading this review: if you should have even the slightest interest in WWII, then I would highly recommend picking this book up.
It's full of amusing moments, moments that genuinely had me worried for people, and moments that will make you marvel at how incredible and hardy humans can be.
To you, reading this review: if you should have even the slightest interest in WWII, then I would highly recommend picking this book up.
It's full of amusing moments, moments that genuinely had me worried for people, and moments that will make you marvel at how incredible and hardy humans can be.
October 1, 2024
A gentle memoir
This book although told by an active RAF officer, who served in both the Battle of Britain and on Malta, is about a phase of his career when he was not in combat. Instead, it covers a period of his career when he served as a liaison officer with the USAF. As a result, this is not an action-packed war story, but rather a memoir filled with reflections and whimsical anecdotes.
This book although told by an active RAF officer, who served in both the Battle of Britain and on Malta, is about a phase of his career when he was not in combat. Instead, it covers a period of his career when he served as a liaison officer with the USAF. As a result, this is not an action-packed war story, but rather a memoir filled with reflections and whimsical anecdotes.
November 9, 2018
A fascinating view of a lost age of chivalry and decency. These young men were flung into the air with less and less training, our lives today are due to their tenacity and courage at that time. Would Britain ever be able to sustain such threats today! I felt in awe of these people as I read, sadly the author has gone, I would have liked to have written to him out of appreciation for his efforts.
January 16, 2023
found this book really hard to read.
I usually like reading books about the war but this one I found a total bored to read. took me quite a few goes to finish it off
if you are super keen on aircraft from the war than you probably like it.
I usually like reading books about the war but this one I found a total bored to read. took me quite a few goes to finish it off
if you are super keen on aircraft from the war than you probably like it.
October 1, 2017
Excellent
How many other good stories can there be. A complicated true story made for everyone to read and enjoy. Wonderful!
How many other good stories can there be. A complicated true story made for everyone to read and enjoy. Wonderful!
February 5, 2020
Amusing attitudes (a man of his time) but terrific yarns of flying in WWII.
August 8, 2021
Amazing true story of Tom Neil and his silver Spitfire which he found hard to get rid of during WWII.
March 28, 2023
Terrific read straight from the cockpit
June 1, 2023
A fascinating recollection of exploits conducted by a young British officer, attached to a US airforce unit from 1943 until the end of the war.
February 13, 2017
Sorry not my cup of tea. Not enough action, too many names that mean nothing to me. The Silver Spitfire doesn't come into the book until 2/3rd of the way through.
April 6, 2015
The Silver Spitfire is an autobiographical account of Tom Neil’s experiences in 1944-45 during and shortly after his time as RAF liaison, seconded to the 100th Fighter Wing, 9th USAAF. Neil has written a number of books about his remarkable experiences as an RAF Fighter pilot in the years prior to this, so I guess this is just adding another chapter to those in a way. I was a little put off at first by the irreverent style of writing, but as I persevered I was just amazed by the massive variety of flying experiences described. The text itself takes the form of a series of anecdotes arranged in date order over the course of the period covered, and makes interesting and at times amusing reading. There are a small number of errors, but these do not affect things in the slightest. A small number of photographs, mostly very closely related to the events in the book and are as a result quite special.
August 24, 2015
The 3 stars is more for the publisher than the author who gave his all during World War Two to fight for the freedoms we experience today. Their blurb implies this is an account of Tom Neil flying P-47s and his own personal Spitfire in heated combat against the Luftwaffe, which it isn't. Instead it is a very interesting snapshot of life for those who had competed their combat tours, or were too old for combat, and still risked their lives 'behind the scenes.'
December 12, 2017
Interesting read.
August 11, 2016
Actually the account of "Ginger's" attachment to the US Airforce in 1944 is more interesting and entertaining than his attempts to offload the Spitfire he had acquired.
August 9, 2019
Well written account of this glamour boy of the battle of britain. This covers the period he was attached to the American Ninth and the end of the war.
August 5, 2014
I liked this book and if I met the author I am sure I would like him too! A wonderful character.
December 12, 2017
This book is a very interesting read - thoroughly enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews