NO TURNING BACK - Original Pencil Drawing

An original pencil working drawing by Robert Taylor, created during the development of his acclaimed painting No Turning Back.

The scene depicts a No. 61 Squadron RAF Lancaster piloted by Flight Lieutenant Bill Reid under attack by a German Focke-Wulf Fw 190 while en route to Düsseldorf on the night of 3 November 1943. Reid's aircraft had already been attacked by an Me 110, leaving him wounded and the Lancaster badly damaged. A second attack killed his navigator, fatally wounded the wireless operator and injured Reid again, yet he continued for approximately another 50 minutes to the target before bringing the crippled bomber back to England. His courage and determination that night earned him the Victoria Cross.

This original study provides a fascinating insight into Taylor's development of the finished composition, establishing the dramatic encounter between the Lancaster and attacking Fw 190 that would subsequently appear in the published No Turning Back edition.

The bespoke framed presentation is further enhanced by three important original signatures:

- Flight Lieutenant BILL REID VC — the Lancaster pilot whose extraordinary action is depicted in the drawing.

- Group Captain LEONARD CHESHIRE VC OM DSO & Two Bars DFC — one of Bomber Command's most distinguished airmen, who flew more than 100 operations and later commanded No. 617 Squadron.

- Generalleutnant ADOLF GALLAND Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds — one of the Luftwaffe's most prominent fighter commanders, credited with 104 aerial victories and appointed General of the Fighter Arm during the Second World War.

Also incorporated into the framing is a miniature replica Victoria Cross, providing a fitting reference to the decoration awarded to Reid — and also held by Cheshire.

Combining an original Robert Taylor working drawing with the signatures of two Victoria Cross recipients and one of Germany's most celebrated fighter leaders, this is a particularly distinctive piece of Second World War aviation history. Protected by UV99' ArtGlass.

Original pencil working drawing on paper. 28" x 25" overall framed size.