Paddy Finucane: Fighter Ace

Fighter Ace Paddy Finucane became a legend in his own lifetime and widely publicized in the press.

Joining the RAF in 1938, Finucane made a poor start to his flying career and was not operational until the Battle of Britain when every pilot was needed. Posted to 65 Squadron for the Battle of Britain, he went on to become a flight commander with 452 Squadron, the first Australian squadron in Britain. His leadership qualities quickly became apparent and it was with them that he scored his most spectacular successes in the circus sweeps on the French coast.

Modest by nature he was upset by the constant references to himself as 'Bader's successor' but the spotlight never left him.

In January 1942 he became squadron commander of the 602 Squadron and was promptly promoted to Wing Commander Flying, Hornchurch. Finucane established an outstanding reputation for tactics and flying skill having eventually destroyed 32 enemy aircraft before ditching in the Channel in July 1942 and disappearing.

With the full co-operation of the Finucane family, the myth of a wild fighting Irishman can at last be eliminated to reveal a thoughtful, highly disciplined and respected individual, a man born to lead.

Doug Stokes served two years National Service in the RAF and then entered into the world of journalism, working on provincial and suburban newspapers, with two periods in aviation journalism on Aeronautics and Air Clues. He then worked as a freelance writer living in South London. Author of Wings Aflame, a biography of Victor Beamish, he was a dedicated journalist who worked for various newspapers and held a number of editorships. He died in the winter of 1997.