This is possibly the best first 1957 dated 1st edition copy we have seen of this early biography. The book is clean, with no browning and minimal spine bumping. The dustjacket is whole, clean and bright with some slight colour loss on the title lettering of the spine as expected on these copies.  It is rare to see one in such good condition and it has been enhanced further with an original pencil drawing portrait of Hodgkinson by Steve Teasdale. Underneath the drawing is the professionally mounted signature of Colin Hodgkinson plus a title of the drawing in his own hand. Colin Gerald Shaw Hodgkinson was accepted for pilot training in the Fleet Air Arm in 1938. A crash in May 1939 resulted in both of his legs being amputated. Treated by Archibald McIndoe, leading to his membership of the Guinea Pig Club, Colin was determined to fly again. He left the Navy in 1942 and joined the RAF as a Pilot Officer. By March 1943 he was a Flying Officer with 611 Squadron, later joining 501 Squadron as a flight commander. Hodgkinson, along with Douglas Bader, were the only double amputees to fly fighters operationally during WW2. A stunning book with a rare signature.