Meeting the Minister

Spitfire People author Paul Beaver was recently reacquainted with his former colleague Iain Duncan Smith, now Secretary of State for Work & Pensions. Paul and Iain worked together at Jane’s before Iain entered politics.

Iain’s father, Wilfrid, features in Evro’s book Spitfire People. Wilfrid Duncan Smith was an important figure in the Spitfire story, as a fighter pilot, squadron and wing commander. He changed fighter tactics in such a way that Fighter Command adopted his tactical experience as standard in 1942.

Iain Duncan Smith and Paul Beaver are seen here with copies of Spitfire People and Wilfrid Duncan Smith’s autobiography.

Published to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, Spitfire People has received considerable acclaim. This is what Flight International wrote: ‘If you thought there was nothing more to say about R.J. Mitchell’s finest creation after countless books concerning the Supermarine icon, then you should find the time to read Paul Beaver’s Spitfire People.’