REACH FOR THE SKIES

In 1931 Douglas Bader, then a brilliant 21 year old RAF pilot, crashed in a Bristol Bulldog fighter in a flying accident and lost both legs. At the outbreak of war his relentless persistence saw him re-join the RAF and by 1940 he was leading the famous 242 Sqn in the Battle of Britain. He then went on to cmmand the famous Tangmere Wing and at the time he was shot down and taken POW in August 1941, he was a leading Ace with 24 victories and one of the most famous RAF Fighter pilots. After being interned in a number of prison camps (including Stallag Luft III) his persistent escape attempts saw him finish the war in Colditz. After the war he became a household name and his Foundation gave a huge amount of support and encouragement to other limbless people.

Robert Taylor’s famous painting depicts legendary Ace, Douglas Bader flying his Mk.Va Spitfire high above the coast of Northern France in 1941.

Robert became close friends with Douglas Bader which is evident his first book of Air Combat Paintings:

“…I painted Reach for the Skies just before Sir Douglas Bader died. It was to have been issued as a limited edition print, carrying his signature. It depicts no special event. I felt I wanted to paint a picture of this quixotic fighter pilot, in his beloved Spitfire Mk.Va, high in his element. Douglas Bader had been a wonderful friend and, in some ways, a mentor during my early days as a professional painter of aviation subjects and I felt particularly moved when I did the painting. Sir Douglas never saw it. Had he done so he would probably have said: ‘Can’t you put a couple of Me109’s into the picture Robert, and liven it up a bit?’.”