W. E. Johns — Fighting Planes and Aces

London, John Hamilton , 1932 . First edition. Cloth. An uncommon first edition of this illustrated work surrounding war planes, written by Flying Officer W. E. Johns, in the very scarce, unclipped dust wrapper. The first edition. Dated using Jisc from copies of the work held at the British Library.Uncommon work, even more scarce to see in such a well-presented dust wrapper.This exciting work delves into the world of aviation, presenting the victories and battles of various war planes and flying officers. Johns explores the early days and progress of military aviation, with chapters on famous squadrons, the British Aces and Aces of other nations.Written by William Earl Johns, an English First World War pilot and writer of adventure stories, who wrote under the pen name Capt. W. E. Johns. He is best known for creating the fictional air-adventurer Biggles, and for his other works surrounding aviation. Illustrated by Howard Leigh, and American painter, etcher and lithographer, with thirty plates and a frontispiece. Collated, complete. With six pages of publisher's advertisements to the rear. Bound in the publisher's cloth with the original, unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, excellent, with light bumping to the extremities and spine. The odd mark to cloth and a little fading to the spine. Bookplate to the front paste down. Dust wrapper is smart with light edge wear and rubbing. Tape repair residue to wrap extremities, with the odd spot or light mark. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright with light scattered spotting to the occasional page. Near Fine . Ill.: Howard Leigh. Near Fine/Very Good Indeed.