Lot 249

Sir Barnes Wallis 'Dam Busters' Collection auction held on Wednesday 25th of March 2026

BLUNDELL, H.M., They Flew From Waddington! 463-467 Lancaster Squadrons Royal Australian Air Force, Sydney: W Homer 1975. Ltd Ed no. 445, 8v0, 67pp, a hardback volume commemorating 30 years of VE Day, pastedown and endpaper with signatures and notes of thanks to Sir Wallis from five members of 463-467 Squadron to include John Cole, Art Whitmarsh, John Stokes DFC, Nobby Blundell, John Niedwick and containing a letter from an address in Geneva within

Sold for £280

Condition report

The letter reads "By the Conjuror! What fun we had dearest Barnes. I am truly glad that you are still on the track of original ideas but sorry indeed that you are having such a hard and long haul to get a rectangular wingless baby (or monster) into the air! How I wish I were able to pay you a flying visit some day. Who knows, I might be able to do so when my fiscal exile is over - and am still of this world. Of course, I am only at half cock being "dead from the neck up!" Let me say again before I end this letter what immense pleasure I have derived from your letter written in that unique handwriting. Do please give my love to Molly and believe me, my dearest Barnes, your always devotedly, affectionately, respectfully and ever so gratefully, Leo" Leo Frederic Baron D'Erlanger was an English merchant banker and investor in military aircraft and civil aviation. Museum reference 1992/0392/G/M/1 X003-0616

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