STRIKE AND RETURN
by Robert Taylor
A CLASSIC ROBERT TAYLOR MASTERWORK COMMEMORATING THE INDOMITABLE AIRCREWS OF BOMBER COMMAND
Winter in Northern Europe brings short days, long nights and, for the most part, appalling weather making navigation difficult and flying hazardous. Add snowstorms, gale force winds, freezing temperatures and rudimental navigation aids, it seems a miracle the brave young men of RAF Bomber Command were able to continue at all. But continue they did.
Robert’s superb piece depicts Lancasters of 460 Squadron RAAF returning to their Lincolnshire base at RAF Binbrook following a daylight raid over Germany in the late winter of 1944. With the sun almost set, evening shadows lengthen on a magnificent winter landscape dusted with snow, as Lancaster J-Squared leads the mighty bombers as they descend in the fading light and the squadron motto rings true in the ears of the arriving crew - "Strike and Return".
The Aircrew Edition
Each print in this edition has been signed by the artist along with four famous veterans who served with Bomber Command during WWII:
- Flying Officer Bill North
- Flight Lieutenant Bob Knights DSO DFC
- Squadron Leader Tony Iveson DFC AE
- Squadron Leader Pat Carden DFC AE
The RAAF Edition
Every print in this exclusive edition is signed by SIX Royal Australian Air Force pilots and aircrew who flew with RAF Bomber Command during their tours in England with 460 Squadron RAAF, 1941-1945.
- Flight Lieutenant W.E. 'Jerry' Bateman
- Flying Officer Hilary M. Bayliss DFC
- Flight Lieutenant Phillip J. Coffey DFC DFM
- Flight Lieutenant John R. Gardner DFC
- Flight Lieutenant R. Gordon Goodwin DSO DFM
- Flying Officer Lawrence W. Woods DFC
The Collectors Edition
Each print is personally autographed by the veterans of the Aircrew Edition and additonally signed by a furhter four highly-respected WWII BomberCommand aircrew. Every print is issued with a matching-numbered companion print 'Night Attack' which is personally signed by recipent of the Victoria Cross; Bill Reid.
- Flight Lieutenant Fred Watts DFC
- Wing Commander Ernest Rodley DSO DFC AFC AE
- Squadron Leader Lawrence Curtis DFC* AE
- Group Captain Dudley Burnside DSO OBE DFC*
- Flight Lieutenant Bill Reid VC
The Victoria Cross Edition
A highly exclusive edition of just 50 copies issued with extra signatures and the matching-numbered pencil proof, 'Last Lancaster Home', beautifully matted to include the signatures of four recipients of the Victoria Cross Britain's highest award for valour.
- Group Captain Leonard Trent VC DFC ADC
- Group Captain James 'Willie' Tait DSO*** DFC* ADC
- Wing Commander Roderick Learoyd VC (Matted)
- Warrant Officer Norman Jackson VC
- Group Captain Leonard Cheshire VC OM DSO** DFC*
- Flight Lieutenant James Castagnola DSO DFC
- Warrant Officer M 'Ben' Brennan DFM AFM
- Warrant Officer Bill Wilcox DFM
Multi-Signed Collectors Copy
At recent events we've had a copy of the Collectors Edition additionally signed by WWII Bomber Command veterans. Issued with a matching-numbered companion print Night Attack there are a total of TWENTY-THREE signatures:
- Flying Officer Bill North
- Flight Lieutenant Bob Knights DSO DFC
- Squadron Leader Tony Iveson DFC AE
- Squadron Leader Pat Carden DFC AE
- Flight Lieutenant Fred Watts DFC
- Wing Commander Ernest Rodley DSO DFC AFC AE
- Squadron Leader Lawrence Curtis DFC* AE
- Group Captain Dudley Burnside DSO OBE DFC*
- Flight Lieutenant Bill Reid VC
- Squadron Leader George Johnson MBE DFM
- Warrant Officer Rex Statham
- Flight Lieutenant George Dunn DFC MiD
- Warrant Officer Roy Briggs
- Leading Aircraftsman Bernard Mabey
- Flight Lieutenant Hal Gardner
- Warrant Officer Gerard Norwood
- Warrant Officer Donald Fraser
- Flight Sergeant Len Manning
- Flight Lieutenant Russell 'Rusty' Waughman DFC AFC Ld'H
- Squadron Leader Lawrence 'Benny' Goodman
- Wing Commander John Bell MBE DFC
- Warrant Officer Harold Kirby Ld'H
- Air Commodore Charles Clarke OBE
- Media:
- Lithograph
- Size:
- 31 x 24 inches
- Release Date:
- 12/2003
Editions that feature original and unique artwork, such as Remarque, Tribute and matted editions, are specifically hand-crafted to order. As a result, our normal delivery policies do not apply to these items but we’ll be sure to update you as soon as your drawing is complete. If you have any particular request for your remarque drawing – such as specific aircraft markings – please ask when placing your order and we will do our best to accommodate.
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