BIGGLES - AIR ACE
Book First Published by NORMAN WRIGHT as a limited edition in PAPERBACK of only 300 numbered copies in May 1999 - 162 pages
Book was then Re-Published by NORMAN WRIGHT as a limited edition in HARDBACK of only 300 numbered copies in April 2008 - 155 pages
(For both the paperback and the hardback there appear to be around 25 additional complimentary and review copies, which are unnumbered and just marked "comp")
The cover of the original paperback first edition.
These TEN stories were first published in various annuals and periodicals. I have noted below the titles and the original publication details.
This will be the last ever Biggles first edition because all Biggles stories have now published in book form.
The stories are as follows:-
If you click on the images you can enlarge them.
BIGGLES' XMAS BOX!
Biggles decides to drop some sausages on the Germans as a gesture of goodwill for Christmas.
This story was originally only published in issue number 358 of "The Modern Boy" dated 15th December 1934
BIGGLES' CHRISTMAS TREE!
When Wilkinson steals Biggles' Christmas Tree, Biggles takes revenge at their Christmas party.
This story was originally only published in issue number 359 of "The Modern Boy" dated 22nd December 1934
BIGGLES AND THE JOKER!
Algy goes missing whilst on leave and Biggles goes to Paris to find out that he has been kidnapped.
This story was originally only published in issue number 365 of "The Modern Boy" dated 2nd February 1935
BIGGLES' NIGHT OUT!
When Biggles and Algy act as gunners for Fernwell, they get shot down and have to escape.
This story was originally only published in issue number 395 of "The Modern Boy" dated 31st August 1935
THE FLEDGLINGS
Wilkinson bets Biggles that his new pilot will shoot down more enemy planes than Biggles' new pilot.
This story was originally first published in THE NEW BOOK OF THE AIR in 1935 and then re-published in issue number 47 of "Modern Boy" (new series) dated 7th January 1939
However, around 1950 W. E. Johns later rewrote it as a Second World War story and in that form it was published in Every Boy's Annual in 1950 as
'The Hare and the Tortoise'. This version of the story was later collected in BIGGLES TAKES THE CASE in 1952 as 'The Hare and the Tortoise'
BIGGLES 'ON THE SPOT'
After killing a popular German Officer Biggles is a marked man and every German is out to kill him.
This story was originally only published in "The Modern Boy's Book of Adventure Stories" in 1936
BIGGLES' EXCITING NIGHT!
Biggles takes a secret agent on a mission. When the agent loses his nerve Biggles has to do his job.
This story was originally only published in "The Modern Boy's Annual" in 1937
BIGGLES TAKES THE BAIT!
When Biggles decides to help a British Major he finds himself falling for an elaborate German trap.
THE CASE OF THE SOMERSET FARMER
A farmer's complaint leads to Biggles stopping an illegal immigration racket.
This story was originally only published in "The Daily Mail's Boy's Annual" in 1963
SIMPLE ARITHMETIC
Five aviation fuel cans assist Biggles in calculating the whereabouts of a missing plane.
This story was originally only published in "The Boy's Own Paper" in December 1955
Subtitle - The Uncollected Stories
Publication Details - published privately by Norman Wright in a limited edition of only 300 paperback books followed nine years later by 300 hardback books
The original cover artwork – which used to be in my own personal collection