I bought “Paddy - The life and times of Wing Commander Patrick Barthropp” when at Duxford this summer.
What a wonderful book. Not that much flying actually but filled with humorus anecdotes from childhood to present time. Even tragic episodes somehow often comes out in a funny way. Recommended 
During WWII he had total control of a 400mph fighter and eight machine guns - with no radar, no auto-pilot and no electronics. At the touch of a button he could unleash 13lbs of shot in 3 seconds. He had a total of 14 seconds of ammunition. He needed to be less than 250 yards from the enemy to be effective. He and his foe could manoeuvre in three dimensions at varying speeds and with an infinite number of angles relative to each other. His job was to solve the sighting equation without becoming a target himself. His aircraft carried 90 gallons of fuel between his chest and the engine. He often flew over 35,000 ft with no cockpit heating or pressurisation. He endured up to six-times the force of gravity with no ‘g’ suit. He had no crash helmet or protective clothing other than ineffective flying boots and gloves. He had about three seconds in which to identify his foe and slightly longer to abandon the aircraft if hit. He had no ejector seat. Often, as in my case, he was only 19 years old. He was considered to young and irresponsible to vote but not too young to die. His pay was the modern equivalent of just under
68p per day in 1940. Should he have been stupid enough to be shot down and taken prisoner, a third of that sum was deducted at source by a grateful country and never returned. … However, every hour of the day was an unforgettable and marvellous experience with some of the finest characters who ever lived.