Reach for the sky: The Story of Douglas Bader was created by:  Paul Chester Jerome Brickhill (1916 – 1991) An Australian writer whose books were turned into popular films. He was born in Melbourne, Victoria and worked as a journalist before World War II. He then became a fighter pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force. He was shot down in 1943, and imprisoned in the camp Stalag Luft III and was an active member in the famous prison break. In 1950 he documented the escape, which was later turned into a film in 1963 ‘The Great Escape’ staring Steve McQueen. Three of his books were made into movies: -Reach for the sky: The Story of Douglas Bader who overcame the loss  of both legs in a 1931 flying accident to become a successful fighter pilot during WWII. The film was released on 10th July 1956 (London) -The Dam Busters: A true story based on the RAF's 617 squadron. Film was released in 1954. If you follow the link below there is news that Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson is to remake this British classic: - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5301998.stm   -The Great Escape: which Brickhill documented about his imprisonment in Stalag Luft III http://www.historyinfilm.com/escape/index.htm     Reaching for the Skies   http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243083/ This series is one of the best of its kind. Narrated by Anthony Qualye and containing some fabulous aerial photography including Bob Hoover's amazing upside down "iced tea pour" while barrel rolling his twin engined commuter. The series was sold retail as 6 VHS tapes of 12 episodes covering: "The Pioneers" "The Adventures Of Flight" "The Aeroplane goes to War" "Victory over the Sea" "Bombers" "Fighters" "Giants of the Air" "Rivals over the Atlantic" "Trail Blazers" "The Quest for Speed" "Lighter than Air" "Vertical Flight". Undoubtedly the voice of Anthony Quayle added to the success of the series as also did the excellent title music