Collection: By Jove, Biggles!

The fictional pilot James Bigglesworth made his first foray into print in a story called “The White Fokker” in 1932. Nearly 100 titles later he is firmly established amongst the greatest heroes of juvenile literature.

“Captain” W.E. Johns, his creator, interestingly never made it to that assumed rank but plateaued at Flying Officer. But there is no doubt he was a brave and talented pilot, although with a reputation for recklessness. On one occasion he wrote off three planes in one day.

Johns was lucky to survive WWI after being brought down on a raid over Mannheim. The Germans sentenced him to be shot but at the last moment this was commuted to imprisonment and he spent the final weeks of the conflict in prisoner-of-war camp in Strasbourg.

After the war Johns joined the RAF where he was given the role of head of recruitment. Famously he turned down an application from one John Hume Ross (later to identify as T.E. Lawrence) but his superiors thankfully overruled him.

Johns continued to pen Biggles stories right until his death in 1968. He did more to fuel enthusiasm for planes and flying than any other single individual and his legacy runs deep.