Air Vice-Marshal J.E. ‘Johnnie’ Johnson

Official Top-Scoring RAF Fighter Pilot of World War Two

As an aviation minded youngster Dilip made many examples of the Airfix 1/72nd scale Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX. The box-art, by Roy Cross, was inspirational, depicting the personal aircraft of Wing Commander Johnnie Johnson – leader of the Candian Wing at Kenley in 1943. Little did Dilip know then that in adult life he would not only write books about his hero but that the pair would become both friends and business partners!

Johnnie, the son of a policeman, was turned down by the auxiliary air force on the grounds of his humble social origins. Undeterred he joined the volunteer reserve, and subsequently flew Spitfires with 616 Squadron. Due to an old ruby injury, however, Johnnie missed the Battle of Britain, not scoring the first of his 38½ kills until the following year. During the summer of 1941, 616 Squadron was a part of Wing Commander4 Douglas Bader’s famous Tangmere Wing, and it was there, inspired by Bader, that Johnnie began to shine. His first command, 610 Squadron, came soon afterwards, and by 1943 he was Wing Leader at Kenley – by which time he had achieved the ‘double’ of both the DFC and DSO. Johnnie’s association with the Canadians was a long one, as before the war’s end he commanded several such wings. Indeed, his Canadians were the first to land in Normandy after D-Day, and Johnnie held these fine pilots in the highest regard. A superb shot and truly inspirational leader, by 1945 Johnnie was officially recorded as the RAF’s top-scoring fighter pilot – with two DFCs and three DSOs to his credit.

After the war Johnnie remained in the RAF, flying jets post-war and commanding both a ‘V’ bomber station and RAF Middle East. Whilst still serving he wrote his wartime memoir Wing Leader, and his treatise on air fighting, entitled Full Circle. Having retired as an Air Vice-Marshal, Johnnie devoted his time not only to the highly successful Johnnie Johnson Housing Trust but also as an author and speaker regarding wartime aviation matters. So it was that Johnnie became a hugely popular guest at book and print signings, and other gatherings worldwide.

To Dilip Sarkar, Johnnie Johnson remains quite simply the most awe-inspiring and charismatic man he has ever met; a truly gifted leader in every sense. The pair teamed up throughout the 1990s, holding symposiums and book signings all over the UK. Indeed, the friends began work on a series of books covering Johnnie’s wartime flying, Dilip having traced and interviewed many survivors from Johnnie’s various commands. Thus the concept was to provide a more comprehensive record than Johnnie’s original Wing Leader. Sadly Johnnie died, in 2001, before the project was completed. Consequently Dilip published Johnnie Johnson: Spitfire Top Gun, Part One (2002), largely covering Johnnie’s time with the Canadians at Kenley, and Part Two (2005) dealing with the period up to the conclusion of the Normandy campaign. Although Part Three of Dilip's 'Top Gun' series was never written, he has now produced a new 120,000 word biography - 'Spitfire Ace of Aces: The story of Johnnie Johnson, Top Scoring RAF Fighter Pilot of World War Two'. Illustrated with 127 rare photographs - many published for the first time - this landmark work will be published by Amberley on 1 August 2011'.

Forthcoming new Book - Dilip's long awaited Johnnie Johnson Biography - Spitfire Ace of Aces

Roy Cross’s inspirational Airfix box-top of Wing Commander Johnnie Johnson’s Spitfire Mk IX, circa 1943. Courtesy Arthur Ward.

Wing Commander J.E. ‘Johnnie’ Johnson DSO DFC, sat in his personal Spitfire, as depicted by Roy Cross, at Kenley.

Wing Commander Johnson poses with his personal mount at Kenley – note that the aircraft sports his personal initials, as was the Wing Leader’s prerogative, and Canadian maple leaf insignia.

In retirement Air Vice-Marshal Johnson wrote and talked about his wartime experiences, becoming a hugely popular guest at air shows, book signings and related events world-wide.

Air Vice-Marshal Johnson and Dilip Sarkar pictured at the launch of the latter’s Bader’s Tangmere Spitfires in 1996. Half way through the event the Air Marshal turned to the young author and said “D’ya know, Dilip, I’ve been to book and print signings all over the world, but I’ve never been to one as successful as this. You are clearly not as stupid as you look!” This Dilip took to be a huge compliment – he thinks!