Trenchard Man of Vision
London: Collins Clear-Type Press, 1962. Tall octavo, red hardcover, spine has a black label embossed with copper lettering, 768 pp., 12 double-sided black-and-white plates, eight maps included. Spine ends and corners a little bumped, light spotting and foxing on top edge and fore-edge of text block, light foxing on first few leaves, foxing outside and inside of dust-jacket, top and tail edges of dust-jacket a little worn; otherwise a near-fine copy with a very good dust-jacket. First edition. A comprehensive biography of Lord Hugh Trenchard by author Andrew Boyle, who spent ten months working directly with the ailing Trenchard to record the great man's life experiences.
In 1912, at the then relatively advanced age of 39, Trenchard decided to earn his qualification as a pilot and join the Royal Flying Corps. He commanded the RFC in France during World War One and became the first Chief of Air Staff when the RAF was formed in 1918. It was Trenchard's vision of the aeroplane becoming a decisive weapon of war, combined with his endless determination and support for the RAF, that aided Great Britain's successful defence against Germany in World War Two. Item #4698
Price (AUD): $85.00