BIGGLES LEARNS TO FLY
First Published in paperback in the Boys' Friend Library Issue
No. 469 - dated 7th March 1935
First published in hardback by Hodder
and Stoughton in 1955 (in a "revised" edition) - 192 pages
Subsequently republished by Norman Wright in 2010 (with copies of
the original illustrations from "The Modern Boy") in a corrected full
edition - 203 pages
( NB - The Norman
Wright edition corrected all of the errors of both previous books!)
Originally published as BIGGLES LEARNS TO FLY in 1935 with 12 stories and subsequently republished in an amended
form in 1955. The 1955 version contained
sixteen chapters, each of which is virtually a short story on its own, although
they do flow together and sometimes one carries on from the previous one. One of the stories in the original
publication, Spy in the Sky, was left out of the 1955 edition as it had already
been reprinted in BIGGLES OF
266 (also published in 1955) - this was restored
in the Norman Wright version. The
chapter "The Dawn Patrol" was originally a story called "Knights
of the Sky". When BIGGLES LEARNS TO FLY was first published in the Boys' Friend
Library, the editor decided to move this story to the end. The problem with this was that it was a story
set at 169 Squadron before Biggles moved to 266 Squadron later in the
book! To deal with this problem, the
editor substantially re-wrote the story!
When Hodder and Stoughton republished the book
in 1955 they kept this incorrectly edited version rather than W. E. Johns' real
version. This was corrected by Norman
Wright in his publication.
AUTHOR'S NOTE (a
short essay by W. E. Johns containing explanatory notes)
FIRST TIME UP!
Biggles is taken up by an instructor who gives him his first ever
flight in an aeroplane.
This chapter was the first part of a story called "Biggles
Learns to Fly" originally first published in issue number 323 of "The
Modern Boy" dated 14th April 1934
LANDED - BUT LOST
Biggles' first solo flight results in him getting hopelessly lost.
After 15 hours he gets his 'wings'.
This chapter was the second part of a story called "Biggles
Learns to Fly" originally first published in issue number 323 of "The
Modern Boy" dated 14th April 1934
THE BOAT FOR FRANCE
Sent to France to serve in 169 squadron,
Biggles meets Mahoney of 266 on the boat over.
This chapter was the first part of a story called "Biggles'
First Flight" originally first published in issue number 324 of "The
Modern Boy" dated 21st April 1934
BATTLE
Biggles faces Arial combat for the first time, with his experienced
gunner, Mark Way.
This chapter was the second part of a story called "Biggles'
First Flight" originally first published in issue number 324 of "The
Modern Boy" dated 21st April 1934
PLOTS AND PLANS
After a week's experience, Biggles and Mark go on an important
recognisance mission.
This chapter was the first part of a story called "Biggles the
Scout" originally first published in issue number 325 of "The Modern
Boy" dated 28th
April 1934
LATE FOR DINNER
Returning from the above mission, Biggles and Mark have to ditch
in the sea.
This chapter was the second part of a story called "Biggles the
Scout" originally first published in issue number 325 of "The Modern
Boy" dated 28th
April 1934
SPY IN THE SKY
Biggles suspects that a visiting French pilot is in fact a spy and
takes action to stop him.
This story was called "Spy in the Sky" and originally
first published in issue number 326 of "The Modern Boy" dated 5th May 1934
NB - This story was NOT in the 1955 Hodder
and Stoughton revised hardback edition!
This story then appeared in “BIGGLES OF 266”
in November 1955 entitled “THE
PILOT WHO LOST HIS WAY”
A DARING STUNT
Attacking an aerodrome, Biggles is again shot down. He and Mark
escape from No Man's Land.
This story was called "Crashed Flyers" and originally
first published in issue number 327 of "The Modern Boy" dated 12th May 1934
THE DAWN PATROL
Biggles lands and rescues Mahoney after he is shot down.
This story was called "Knights of the Sky" and originally
first published in issue number 328 of "The Modern Boy" dated 19th May 1934
NB - This story was moved to the end of the 1955 Hodder and Stoughton revised hardback edition and
substantially re-written
SPECIAL MISSION
Major Raymond sends Biggles on a special mission, to deliver and
collect a spy.
This story was called "The Laughing Spy" and originally
first published in issue number 329 of "The Modern Boy" dated 26th May 1934
EYES OF THE GUNS
Biggles does artillery observation for ground guns. When they
can't hit the target, he bombs it.
This story was called "Biggles' Bullseye"
and originally first published in issue number 330 of "The Modern
Boy" dated 2nd
June 1934
THE CAMERA
A Bristol Fighter replaces Biggles' F. E. aeroplane. His temporary
gunner, Harris, is killed.
This story was called "Biggles Buys the Sky" and
originally first published in issue number 331 of "The Modern Boy"
dated 9th June
1934
NB - This story is NOT to be confused with the story "The
Camera" in Biggles of
266
THE 'SHOW'
Biggles and his squadron lend major support to a large ground
attack over a number of days.
This chapter was the first part of a story called "Biggles' Big
Battle" originally first published in issue number 332 of "The Modern
Boy" dated 16th
June 1934
DIRTY WORK
When Phosphorus flares set their plane on fire, Biggles and Mark
crash again.
This chapter was the second part of a story called "Biggles'
Big Battle" originally first published in issue number 332 of "The
Modern Boy" dated 16th June 1934
THE PUP'S FIRST FLIGHT
Biggles transfers to 266 squadron and flies a Sopworth
Pup. He captures a German Rumpler.
This chapter was the first part of a story called "Biggles'
Surprise Packet" originally first published in issue number 333 of
"The Modern Boy" dated 23rd June 1934
CAUGHT NAPPING
Biggles plans a major attack on a German 'circus'. Seven German
Triplanes are destroyed.
This chapter was the second part of a story called "Biggles'
Surprise Packet" originally first published in issue number 333 of
"The Modern Boy" dated 23rd June 1934
THE YELLOW HUN
Now equipped with Sopworth Camels,
Biggles seeks to avenge his old friend, Mark Way.
This story was called "Biggles' Revenge" and originally
first published in issue number 334 of "The Modern Boy" dated 30th June 1934
Biggles Learns to Fly
Publication Details - originally published by the Boys Friend
Library - No. 469 (dated 7th March 1935)
Below is the cover of the 1955 edition
Click on the artwork by Leslie Stead to see it in more detail
Below is the cover of the 2010 edition
Click on the artwork by Andrew Skilleter
to see it in more detail
