MEN of the R.A.F.

40 Full Page Portraits with Some Account of Life in the Royal Air Force

This book belonged to 602 Squadron Battle of Britain pilot HG Niven.
Niven’s characteristic neat hand printed name and 1941 is written at the top of the front endpaper.

Published by Oxford University Press. 1st edition 1942.  134 pages.

The book is in Fine condition being clean, bright and tight with no foxing or marks.  The scarce Near Fine condition dustjacket is unclipped and only has a minimal amount of loss to the top edge and spine ends despite the flimsy wartime paper.  A pleasing condition copy of this rare book in all respects.

The book starts with Sir William Rothenstein’s memories and impressions of life during the war as lived at Bomber, Fighter and other stations.  The forty portraits of men of all ranks of the RAF, sketched in 1940/41, were chosen as being representative of all the Commands, irrespective of any special exploits carried out.  The portraits include such men as: Portal, Dowding, Park, Harry Broadhurst, Johnny Kent, Guy Gibson, Rory Chisholm and Whitney Straight.

A really smart condition copy of this evocative book of RAF portraits which deserves to sit alongside those of Cuthbert Orde and Eric Kennington on a discerning collector’s bookshelf. And with the added association of having belonged to a Battle of Britain pilot.