Hugh Dowding signed 1965 RAF Biggin Hill cover

Lord Hugh Dowding signed piece affixed onto a 1965 RAF Biggin Hill cover.

Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding, 1^st Baron Dowding (1882 - 1970) was a pivotal figure of the Battle of Britain and is largely credited for Britain's victory, a key military signature for your collection.

Dowding served as a fighter pilot and then as commanding officer of No. 16 Squadron during WWI. In 1936 he was appointed command officer of the newly established RAF Fighter Command where he oversaw the development of a pioneering radar based air defence system and introduced the early Spitfire and Hurricane models into service. Dowding continued his role at Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain where both his preparedness during the pre-war years and his noted ability to manage resources of replacement aircraft and crew to maintain a substantial fighter reserve where vital in repelling the Luftwaffe.