BUFFOON IN FLIGHT: Some Misadventures of an Observer 24 Squadron S. A. A. F.

First edition, first printing. Signed and inscribed by the author to "Laddie" Lucas. Publisher's original light blue cloth with titles in white to the spine, in dustwrapper. Illustrated with black and white photographs. A very good copy, the binding square and firm with minor bumping and a touch of rubbing to the spine ends and corners. The contents with Lucas's own inscription to the front pastedown (name, address and telephone number) and a hint of toning to the endpapers are otherwise clean and bright throughout. Complete with the very good, unclipped dustwrapper which has a little fading and two short tears to each end of the spine panel, a 1cm tear to the foot of the front panel, and a little wear to the joints.

Signed and inscribed by Peter Atkins in blue ink to the title page "Laddie / Best of luck with your project / Peter Atkins". A "marvellous racy" account of "war-time exploits of the most hair-raising kind" by Leading Observer Captain Peter Atkins, D.F.C. of the South African Airforce, documenting his experiences in East Africa, the Middle East and Italy during the Second World War. The present copy was warmly presented by Atkins to the legendary spitfire pilot Percy Belgrave "Laddie" Lucas, CBE, DSO and Bar, DFC (1915-1998). Lucas joined the RAF in June 1940, travelling to Canada to undertake flying training at the Flying Training School. On completion, he was assigned to 66 Squadron in August 1941, with whom he flew combat missions until the end of 1942. Arriving in Malta in February 1942, he commanded No. 249 Squadron during the Battle of Malta, after which he was awarded the DFC. In 1943, he took command of No. 616 Squadron, later commanding the Spitfire wing at RAF Coltishall, and then, between 1944 and 1945, serving with the RAF Second Tactical Air Force in North-West Europe. Lucas was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in January 1944, and then a bar to his DSO in October 1945 for making numerous attacks on enemy communications, often in dangerous conditions. A nice association copy.