Product Description

Making full use of archival sources, studies by other scholars, and information provided by family members, Vincent Orange has completed the first biography of Air Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding to cover his entire life. Soldier, pilot, wireless pioneer, squadron commander, spiritualist, champion skier, 'Stuffy' Dowding is perhaps best known as the creator of the first radar-based air defence system and his no less remarkable management of such throughout the Battle of Britain. Dowding served in 'delightful and dangerous Iraq', helped to pacify unrest in the Holy Land, was involved in the R.101 airship disaster and oversaw the creation of Britain's first eight-gun monoplanes, the Hurricane and Spitfire.Controversially dismissed from Fighter Command and refused the RAF's highest rank, he nevertheless became the first airman elevated to the peerage since Trenchard. Westminster Abbey was packed for his memorial service in March 1970 with more that 46 air marshals in attendance; and in 1988 HM the Queen Mother unveiled a statue in his honour. With his expert eye, respected historian Orange has analysed and evaluated every episode of Dowding's exceptional career to produce what will be seen as the definitive biography.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30377 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 352 pages

Review
Making full use of archival sources, previously completed studies by other scholars, and information provided by family members, the author has completed the first biography of Dowding to cover his entire life. This well written account is, quite simply, Dowding's life story! --Britain at War Magazine

a cracking good read backed by exceptional reasearch --Flypast Magazine

Vincent Orange has produced a intensely researched and fascinating biography backed up by detailed source notes and a bibliography containing much of interest to those who seek further information. --Britain at War

The personality of the man comes to life in these pages ... It is difficult to put down and so very absorbing. It must be on your shelf. Stunning. --Spitfire Magazine