TOMMY LEADER
Limited First Edition Book by Tom Dalton Morgan - Limited Edition Print by Robert Taylor

Proudly displaying Robert Taylor’s painting on the cover, this long awaited autobiography is issued as a case-bound limited edition book, enclosed in a gold embossed deluxe burgundy cloth slipcase, and presented with a matching numbered copy of Robert Taylor’s limited edition print ‘Tommy Leader'

This outstanding new first edition hardback book is the story of Tom Dalton-Morgan; a man determined to fly and who achieved his ambition by being accepted for pilot training by the RAF in 1934. He flew in the Battle of Britain and was one of the few fighter pilots to shoot down Luftwaffe bombers at night in a single engine day fighter. He subsequently flew many operations over occupied Europe and was awarded nine British and foreign decorations. He retired from the RAF in 1952, moving to Australia to join the Weapons Research Establishment in Adelaide, eventually becoming the Range Controller at the Missile Testing Ground, Woomera. He reluctantly retired in 1982 after reaching 65 years of age. With his usual zest for life, he bought a sheep farm which he ran with his son for a number of years before eventually retiring. His retirement was spent with his wife, alternating between Australia and England where they continued to attend many reunions of “Old Boys”. He sadly passed away on 18 September 2004, leaving behind the manuscript for this fascinating autobiography. At his expressed request it has now been published in conjunction with Robert Taylor’s emotive painting.

The long balmy summer days of 1940 provided perfect flying weather for the vast armadas of Luftwaffe bombers and fighters wreaking havoc over the southern counties of England. As summer wore on the enemy stepped up their attacks on airfields, radar stations, and shipping in the Channel, leaving RAF Fighter Command stretched to near breaking point. The Battle of Britain was at its peak; air-fighting reached an unimaginable intensity.
Throughout the months of July, August, and September the destiny of Britain and the free world hung in the balance, resting upon the shoulders of a tiny band of youthful fighter pilots. Desperately short of aircraft, spares, and supplies, and with its young flyers heavily outnumbered, this heroic band of young men flew and fought from dawn to dusk in defence of their homeland until they drove the Luftwaffe from their precious skies. Their courage, skill, determination and sacrifice will forever be remembered for the battle they won. They rescued Britain from Nazi invasion and turned the tide in the Second World War.

Fondly remembered for its part in the victory is the remarkable Hawker Hurricane: This tough, stable fighter bore the brunt of all operational flying during the epic air battle, no fewer than four-fifths of all air victories being credited to the pilots of this outstanding fighter aircraft. Without it the battle would have been lost.

In his unrivalled and inimitable style, Robert Taylor has miraculously captured the mood so typical of those long frantic days: Fresh from yet another hectic combat high over the south coast, Flight Lieutenant Tom Dalton-Morgan and his wingman, hurry their Hurricane MkIs of 43 Squadron back to base at Tangmere. More fuel, more ammunition, a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and with that familiar roar of Merlin engines they will be airborne again, ready to engage the next wave of Luftwaffe raiders. In a few fleeting weeks Tom Dalton-Morgan will be promoted to Squadron Commander.

Robert Taylor’s supreme talent, together with inside knowledge of the Battle of Britain gained from years of association with distinguished Battle of Britain pilots - including in-depth discussions with Tom Dalton-Morgan - are combined in the creation of this emotive image, also featured on the cover of fighter ace Tom Dalton-Morgan’s long-awaited autobiography. Now reproduced as a highly collectable limited edition print signed by fellow- Battle of Britain pilots, this unique package of matching numbered print and book offers a wonderful opportunity to all aviation art collectors and enthusiasts of the Battle of Britain.

Tom Dalton-Motgan standing under 43 Squadron’s unofficial Fighting Cock Emblem, 1941

LIMITED FIRST EDITION BOOK hardback with matching numbered print
700 signed & numbered copies with 3 signatures £135 (exempt from vat)

Overall print size: 25” wide x 18½" high - Book size: 6” wide x 9¼" high
Printed on Acid Free Permanent Paper

“Tom Morgan is a name to conjure with. Ace fighter pilot, Wing Leader, brilliant planner and staff officer, widely known and respected throughout the Royal Air Force before and during WWII and subsequently in the high level civilian posts he occupied. This autobiography is the fascinating story of a man whom I believe would rise to become the Chief ofAir Staff" - Air Commodore Peter Brothers

Robert Taylors newly released limited edition print TOMMY LEADER was signed by Group Captain Tom Dalton-Morgan shortly before he died, together with two famous Battle of Britain fighter Aces, who all flew from Tangmere and Westhampnett. Now released in conjunction with the publication of Tom Dalton-Morgan’s autobiography of the same title, each print is signed by the artist Robert Taylor

THE SIGNATURES

Group Captain TOM DALTON-MORGAN DSO DFC* OBE. Tom joined the RAF in 1935, serving with 22 Squadron. In June 1940 he was posted to Tangmere as ‘B’ Flight commander with 43 Squadron, flying Hurricanes, scoring his first victory on 12 July. In action over the Channel in August he was hit by crossfire, baling out with slight wounds. He soon resumed flying but was again wounded on 6 September. Ten days later he was promoted to command 43 Squadron. In January 1942 he left the squadron to become a Controller. Promoted Wing Commander Operations with 13 Group, he then led the Ibsley Wing, consisting of 4 Spitfire. 2 Whirlwind, and 2 Mustang Squadrons. His final victory in May 1943 brought his score to 17. Briefly attached to the USAAF 4th Fighter Group, he was then Operations Officer with the 2nd TAF until the end of the war

Group Captain BILLY DRAKE DSO DFC* Joining the RAF in 1936, Billy Drake was posted to 1 Squadron at Tangmere. He flew Hurricanes in France at the outbreak of war. seeing action during the spring of 1940, and scoring his first victory in May. After being wounded he was soon back in the fray with 421 Flight and by the end of 1940 his tally had reached 4. Posted to the Western Desert in early 1942, he took command of 112 Squadron flying P40 Kittvhawks and led the squadron through a period of great success. He later served in Malta, and then as Wing Leader of 20 Wing, 2nd TAT flying Typhoons in the lead up to the Normandy Invasion. Billy Drake scored ~41 victories and in addition, another 13 aircraft destroyed on the ground. He retired from the RAF in 1963.

Wing Commander PADDY BARTHROPP DFC AFC. Paddy Barthropp volunteered for fighters. converting to Spitfires in August 1940. Flying with 602 Squadron at Westhampnett he shared in destroying an He 111 within a month of flying combat. A year later he was a Flight Commander with 610 Squadron, and had been awarded the DFC. Continuing to fly’ Spitfires, now with 122 Squadron based at Hornchurch. he flew fighter sweeps and bomber escort missions until May 1942. On the 15th of that month, while escorting Bostons, he was shot down over St. Omer, northern France. He baled out but was captured on landing, and spent the next three years in German prison camps, including Stalag Luft III. After release, Paddy became an RAF test pilot, when his flying included the development of the Meteor, the RAF’s first jet fighter

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