Reach for the Sky – Autographed by Sir Douglas Bader

Here is a sixth impression of “Reach for the Sky” by Paul Brickhill – this was published August 1954. Inside is a compliments slip signed by Sir Douglas Bader, dated 26th May 1981 – 16 months before he sadly passed away.

Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader – CBE, DSO & Bar, DL and FRAeS was credited with 22 kills, 4 shared and 6 possibles during WW2 as a pilot in the RAF. Bader joined the RAF in 1928, and was commissioned in 1930. In December 1931, while attempting some aerobatics, he crashed and lost both his legs. He was retired on medical grounds but when war broke out in 1939 he was reinstated as an active pilot.

This is a 100% authentic autograph on his personal compliments slip as the great man signed it in front of me and I stuck it into my copy of the book. The book itself is in excellent condition and complete with its dust cover.

I have to add that Sir Douglas was not such an approachable man when I met him, but I am guessing to overcome what he had to as a young man and then go onto achieve what became an incredible career in and out of the Royal Air Force, he would have to have that cutting edge to his personality.

RIP Sir Douglas Bader – a true British hero!