Battle of Britain Spitfire Pilot's Logbook: Rare Book of the Week

This week's Rare Book of the Week is the logbook belonging to Sergeant Sidney 'Clot' Baxter of 222 Squadron during the Battle of Britain during 1940 in which he was killed in action.

The logbook begins on March 9, 1939, and the final entry is September 14, 1940, when he died after serving more than 429 hours of flying time on D.H. 82, Oxford, Blenheim, Magister, Master and Spitfire.

Sidney Baxter (1916-1940) was born in Chester-le-Street, County Durham and joined the RAF as an aircraft apprentice. He began his pilot training at 14 FTS Kinloss on April 13, 1939. Baxter acquired his nickname 'Clot' because he had a habit of checking his aircraft and asking the ground crew more questions than any of the other pilots. When this was questioned by one of the air mechanics, he replied that he was the 'clot' who had to fly the aircraft. His Spitfires became known as Clot I and Clot II.

In the afternoon of September 14, 1940, Baxter's Spitfire, X4275, was badly damaged in combat with Me109s. He was killed while attempting to land.

The logbook comes up for auction at Dominic Winter's October 9 Military & Aviation History, Coins, Medals & Militaria sale with an estimate of £5,000 - £8,000. The lot includes the logbook, which is signed off by his commanding officers, plus Baxter's RAF record of service, a handwritten list by Baxter of pilots and aircrew, a black and white family photograph showing Baxter with his mother, father and sister, a222 Squadron photograph including Baxter, and two further photographs of Baxter in RAF dress standing by his Spitfire.