Making full use of archival sources studies by other scholars & information provided by family members Vincent Orange has completed the first biography of Air Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding to cover his entire life. Soldier pilot wireless pioneer squadron commander spiritualist champion skier Stuffy Dowding is perhaps best known as the creator of the first radar-based air defence system & his no less remarkable management of such throughout the Battle of Britain. Dowding served in delightful & dangerous Iraq helped to pacify unrest in the Holy Land was involved in the R.101 airship disaster & oversaw the creation of Britains first eight-gun monoplanes the Hurricane & Spitfire. Controversially dismissed from Fighter Command & refused the RAFs highest rank he nevertheless became the first airman elevated to the peerage since Trenchard. Westminster Abbey was packed for his memorial service in March 1970 with more that 46 air marshals in attendance; & in 1988 HM the Queen Mother unveiled a statue in his honour. With his expert eye respected historian Orange has analysed & evaluated every episode of Dowdings exceptional career to produce what will be seen as the definitive biography.