There is little doubt that these adventures were the inspiration for his immortal character ‘Biggles’.

Johns’ began writing and illustrating in the 1920s to augment his reduced peacetime RAF officers’ salary. His work eventually grew to span over seven decades and more than a hundred and twenty books.

‘Captain’ W. E. Johns (he never was officially awarded the rank) literally carried on writing until his dying day in 1968.

His legacy remains in countless young men and women, from ‘the few’ of the Battle of Britain to astronauts and Airline Captains. After reading of Biggles’ exploits….

.…THEY WERE INSPIRED TO FLY