FLYING COLOURS
The Epic Story of Douglas Bader
Presentation copy
Presentation copy from Laddie Lucas to
Gp Capt Hamish Mahaddie DSO DFC AFC*
For Hamish – You spoke at his last supper at Guildhall on 4 Sept ’82.
He always spoke highly of you…. ‘A lovely man, Hamish’ was a phrase
I well recall. Perhaps herein, will be found a chord or two to touch off
memories of happy days – I offer this humble work with gratitude for
selfless help and many kindnesses –
28. ix. 82 Laddie Lucas
Hutchinson First edition reprint 1982. 303 pages and well illustrated with photos.
A Fine condition hardback book in black covers with silver gilt titles. The unclipped dustjacket is also in Fine condition. This is a very smart, clean copy of this book with a touching inscription on the title page.
In this intimate and lively biography – authorised by Bader and supplemented by his private papers, flying log books, personal notes and photographs, Laddie Lucas reviews the extraordinary life of one of England’s greatest legends. There has never been a life quite like Bader’s and the author is uniquely placed to tell his story. He was also a distinguished RAF fighter pilot in WWII, he is related to Bader by marriage and has an unrivalled fund of personal, untold stories about him.
Group Captain Thomas “Hamish” Mahaddie had earned his wings and reached the rank of sergeant pilot by the outbreak of the Second World War. In his second tour he was selected to be a member of the newly formed Pathfinder Force. At the end of the tour he was brought onto AVM Don Bennett’s Staff in the position of Group Training Inspector to select and train aircrews to serve in the Pathfinder Force. Within the span of two years from the start of the war Mahaddie had risen in rank from sergeant to group captain. After the war, he made a name for himself by sourcing aircraft for 15 war movies including ‘633 Squadron’ and ‘The Battle of Britain’.
A uniquely signed presentation copy to a distinguished bomber commander and friend of both Bader and Lucas, given only a few weeks after Bader’s death following a Bomber Command Dinner in London.