WW2 RAF Two Battle of Britain pilots signed Ten Squadrons of Hurricanes book. Two loose bookplates signed by Wg Cdr ...

WW2 RAF Two Battle of Britain pilots signed Ten Squadrons of Hurricanes book. Two loose bookplates signed by Wg Cdr J Tim Elkington 1 sqn and Sqn Ldr Tony Pickering 501 sqn. Both squadrons have chapters in the book and are both mentioned. Wg Cdr John Francis Elkington, always known as 'Tim', was born in Warwickshire in 1920, and after attending Bedford School was trained to fly at RAF Cranwell, joining 1 Squadron at RAF Northolt, now Greater London in 1940 aged 19. On 15 August he shot down a Bf 109 and the following day was chasing a solitary Bf 109 towards the coast when his Hurricane was hit in the fuel tank, forcing him to bale out. He safely descended near Chichester and recovered from his injuries at the local hospital. He was back with his unit within days and on 9 October probably destroyed a Ju 88 and then on the 27th sent a Dornier 215 crashing into the Channel. By August 1941, following the German invasion of the Soviet Union, he set sail with 134 Squadron, as part of 151 Wing, to operate Hurricanes in the Murmansk area providing tutelage on the type for Soviet aircrew. Between September and October Elkington bravely served as a bomber escort where he shared in the destruction of a Ju 88. By mid-November 134 Squadron had returned to England. Tony Pickering. In February 1941 Tony took up a post as a Hurricane test pilot at the Maintenance Unit at Hawarden and then, after being commissioned in December 1941, he became an instructor at No 57 (Hurricane) OTU. He returned to operations in February 1943 when he joined 131 Squadron as a Flight Commander; he served with the squadron until January 1944. From then on he held various appointments in the Exeter Sector, such as Controller and Gunnery Officer. In February 1945 he was posted to the Middle East and became a Squadron Commander at the Bombing and Gunnery School at El Ballah. He returned to the UK in December 1945 and was released from the RAF later that month as a Squadron Leader. The Book - For many years the importance and contribution of the Hawker Hurricane was eclipsed by the Spitfire but statistically the Hurricane was superior in the majority of cases. Thanks to Tommy Sopwith's initiative and gamble the Hurricane was ready at the outbreak of the Second World War and in service throughout. As this superbly researched book reveals by examining the roles, actions and personalities of ten Hurricane squadrons, this iconic aircraft was not only exceptionally robust but astonishingly versatile. We track its performance from the Battle of France and Britain through the Middle East, Italy and on to Burma. It excelled as day and night interceptor, intruder and importantly as a rocket firing tank buster. The Hurricane inspired great loyalty among its pilots and their colourful personalities and thrilling experiences make this splendid book an informative and entertaining read. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99