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ARTHUR**, MAX: : THERE SHALL BE WINGS: The RAF - 1918 to the Present. [Author SIGNED copy.]

LONDON.HODDER & STOUGHTON,1993.

ISBN 034058761X.

UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,SIGNED,1st edn,3rd imp. [The UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,true 1st edn was also published in 1993.] NFINE/VG+.No owner inscrptn,but author's neat,handwritten,black ink dedication+ signature: 'To Emrys with my best wishes Max Arthur' to title page,and price-clipped dw/dj. Bright,crisp,clean,glossy laminated,contemporary b/w photographic illustrated dw/dj,with b/w,red and grey lettering; with negligible shelf-wear and creasing to edges and corners,a small closed tear to head of spine/backstrip of dw/dj - no other major nicks or tears present.Some minimal water-stained bleeding internally to dw/dj of both head+foot of spine/backstrip,with very slight dulling of board's concomitant edges - without too adversely affecting them.Some minor, minimal,superficial scoring/indents to dw/dj,but without adversely affecting the bds beneath.Book has a slight lean.Top+fore-edges though aged/ toned - as usual/normal - otherwise clean; contents bright,tight,clean - no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corners,would appear unread apart from my own collation.Bright,crisp, clean,sharp-cornered,publisher's original plain black cloth boards with bright,crisp,blocked gilt letters to spine/backstrip,a b/w striped headband,and immaculate b/w contemporary photographic illustrated endpapers.UK,thick 8vo HB+dw/dj,author SIGNED,1st edn,3rd imp,3-412pp [paginated] includes Pts 1-3 comprising 13 chapters,an envoi,8pp of contemporary b/w photographs in 1 block,between pp 206/7,an appendix,and an index.Plus [unpaginated] half-title,SIGNED title page,foreword by Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon KGB,CBE,ADC,FRAeS, RAF Chief of the Air Staff,contents list/table, illus list/table,author's preface, acknowledgements,a dedication,an epigraph and Pts separator pages,and 2pp blanks at rear. 1 April 1993 marks the 75th anniversary of the birth of the Royal Air Force.To commemorate it,Max Arthur has interviewed over 150 members, past and present,many of whom have never spoken before of their experiences.From their personal and often extremely moving accounts he has created a unique narrative history of the RAF, which ranges from the RFC pilot of a SE5 on the Western Front in 1918 to the first Hercules to land in Sarajevo in 1992. The inter-war years cover the first parachute jump from the wing of a Vimy bomber, attacks on tribesmen in Iraq and on the North-West Frontier,a meeting with T.E. Lawrence and the Schneider Trophy. Inevitably,the major part of 'There Shall Be Wings' concentrates on the Second World War.It covers the aircrews who flew against the German advance into France and in the Battle of Britain,and includes a fine account from the highest-scoring survivor of the battle.The extraordinary tenacity of Bomber Command aircrews is demonstrated,amongst others,by the man who flew a record 127 missions into enemy territory; by the Dambusters; and by a pilot who dropped SOE agents in France and brought back to London a young Francois Mitterand.The fierce battle over Malta is captured by "Laddie" Lucas, while Johnnie Johnson,the highest scoring ace, tells of his time with Douglas Bader. All four surviving RAF holders of the VC (Victoria Cross) contribute their remarkable individual stories. Finally,the post-war years cover the jet- age, combat in Korea,the Radfan,the Falklands and the Gulf as well as the humanitarian missions flown by Hercules and Chinooks. 'There Shall Be Wings' is a wide-ranging, memorable tribute to the skill,courage, spirit and irrepressible humour of those who have served in the RAF during the last 75 years. Please contact seller,because of the weight and value of this item,for correct shipping/P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas buyers - BEFORE ordering through the order page! ** N.B. ALL buyers please note,stocks' actual shipping/P+p costs are adjusted and any difference is refunded,after order's receipt and before the order's despatch,especially if the item(s) are offered either P+p included/FREE. ** N.B. US/Canada customers please be aware: Standard AIRMAIL postage from UK to these destinations can now cost more than the price of the book! If speed is not of the essence,then Economy rate is recommended - at approx. anything from a 1/3rd to 1/2 of the standard AIR quote/rate - sometimes arriving sooner than the 42 days - but not always.

UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,SIGNED,1st edn,3rd imp.
'To Emrys with my best wishes Max Arthur'

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