5 Pounds - Elizabeth II Flying Legends - Sir Douglas Bader; Silver Proof

The RAF produced many legendary figures in
World War II. Two of the most amazing were Group Captain Leonard Cheshire VC and Douglas Bader, Leonard Cheshire joined the RAF in June 1940 and in August was awarded the DSO. He continued flying until 1943 when he became Station Officer Commanding RAF Marston Moor in March, the youngest Group Captain in the RAF. He disliked his desk job and was happy to return to operations, taking over from Guy Gibson as commander of the legendary 617 "Dambuster" Squadron in September 1943. Douglas Bader joined the RAF as a Cadet at RAF Cranwell in 1928. In 1931 he crashed his Bristol Bulldog, and subsequently lost both his legs. After overcoming initial opposition he rejoined the RAF and became one of the most successful pilots of WWII, shooting down 23 German aircraft. On 9 August 1941 he was shot down over France and taken prisoner. He made several escape attempts before being sent to the notorious Colditz Castle.