PILOTS OF THE JET AGE: Signing Event & Print Launch w/ Artist Richard Taylor - 9th March
We’re delighted to announce that we’ll be joined by pilots who flew RAF fast-jets - including Buccaneers, Lightnings & Tornados - to meet customers and sign items for collectors! We'll also be joined by leading aviation artist RICHARD TAYLOR to launch a new print for the event!
Our special guest signers include:
Artist Richard Taylor – It comes as little surprise that Richard Taylor has exceptional artistic abilities, coming as he does from a family where fine art drawing, painting, print publishing, gallery receptions and art exhibitions pervaded daily life.
Studying graphic design and obtaining his degree from Bath Spa University he had by now created a remarkable body of illustrative work under the watchful tutelage of his father Robert, probably the most famous aviation artist of his, or any other generation. To some that might have been a challenging task to live up to, but Robert and others quickly recognised that whilst his skill lay in applying paint in his unique painterly style on to canvas, Richard had equal transformative skills with pencil, graphite and paper. Little wonder that local galleries started exhibiting his drawings and paintings as commission followed commission, and with an inherited passion for aircraft and all things mechanical his father once remarked that “it must be in the genes”.
Having worked with The Military Gallery for over 20 years – the same international publishing house that represented his famous father Robert for half a century, Richard has now established his own unique place in the pantheon of leading contemporary aviation artists as collectors continue to seek out his work. CLICK HERE to browse Richard's work.
Squadron Leader DEREK SHARP AFC BSC Dip Comp JP RAF Retd - born after the end of WW2 and following a grammar school education joined the RAF as a pilot. Following postings as a Strike/Attack pilot, he became a flying instructor, then spent 10 years flying Jaguar fighter bombers. Having took over command of 151(F) Squadron, he suffered a catastrophic duck strike which left him totally blind. Despite being told he would never fly again, he defied all odds and ended his career as a senior instructor and VIP pilot on VC10 aircraft. Following retirement, Sharp totally restored an ex RAF Bulldog aircraft and still regularly flies.
ADRIAN JOHNSON – joined the RAF in June 1983 and began flying training at RAF Swinderby on the Chipmunk T10. Basic flying training followed at RAF Linton-on-Ouse on the JPMk3 and Mk5 and he was selected for the fast jet program, being posted to RAF Valley on the Hawk T MK1 - where he received his wings in July 1986. After completing the TWU (Tactical Weapons Unit) training at RAF Chivenor, he was posted to 237 OCU at RAF Lossiemouth on the Buccaneer S2B with conversion to the ‘Buc’ with hours on the Hunter T8. A change to multi-engined flying followed with a tour on 55 Sqn, RAF Marham flying the Victor K2 in the air-to-air refuelling role. Next stop was a QFI (qualified flying instructor) role at RAFC Cranwell on the Shorts Tucano basic trainer. After successfully achieving his A2 QFI qualification, a staff tour at HQ University Air Squadron followed. A final tour in the RAF was at RAF Brize Norton with 216 Sqn flying the Lockheed Tristar L-1011 in the AT/AAR role with operational sorties in support of the NATO led Kosovo War in 1999. Adrian joined easyJet in September 2000 on the B737 at Luton when the airline could boast just 17 aircraft. After 10 years and 8000 hours on the Boeing he converted to the Airbus A320 which he remained on until retirement in December 2024. The majority of his time at easyJet was spent as a training captain with the focus on airborne, rather than simulator training. In over 40 years of flying he has amassed over 23,000 hours.
Squadron Leader MIKE ALLTON – a pilot for over 40 years, born and educated in West Bridgford, Nottingham - he joined the RAF in 1983. On completion of pilot training, he was selected to fly the mighty Tornado GR1. Mike operated the Tornado with numbers 14, 31, 13, and II(AC) Squadron. He also completed a four-year instructional tour at TTTE, RAF Cottesmore, where he was the 1995 Tornado GR1 Display Pilot. On promotion to Squadron Leader, he completed a short tour at the Tactical Leadership Programme based on Belgium.
This was followed by a Flight Commander tour with II(AC) Squadron. He flew the Tornado GR1/GR4 for 14 years and logged over 2500 flying hours on type. On leaving the RAF in 2002, he joined easyJet and flew and instructed on the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft. He retired from easyJet in February 2023 having logged a total of over 14,500 flying hours.
Flight Lieutenant DAVID GLADWIN – joined the RAF straight from school aged 17 in 1962.Trained on Jet Provosts at Acklington, ( including ejecting from XP635 ) Vampires, the nuclear armed Valiants and Victor tankers. Further tour on Canberras. CFS, became senior standards QFI at Jet Refresher school. Thence to BOAC on VC10. Assigned to Concorde -course cancelled due BA financial problems. Then to new Orion as 737 training captain, after Britannia takeover moved to 757/767 fleet. Chartered Concorde for two short flights at EMA, did 300 more after many requests to take it to other airports around UK, then to Paris and New York.
Captain MATTHEW WOOD BSc – joined the RAF in 1979, completing Officer Training and Basic Flying by 1982 at RAF Cranwell. Between ‘82-’85, Matt was a Flying Instructor on Hawks for No.4 Sqn AFTS at RAF Valley. ’85-’87 saw him join 11 Sqn as a Lightning Pilot on Air Defence Operations. In 1991 Matt became a Graduate of the Flying Supervisors’ Course at Raf College Cranwell in Leadership, management and welfare, and continued as a Flying Instructor at RAF Valley, until 1998. Between 1992-1995, Matt took part in various international operations and training exercises, such as ‘Operation Southern Watch’ and ‘Exercise Red Flag’, whilst operating as part of 31 Sqn as a Tornado GR1 Pilot, Flying Instructor and Examiner. Matt Wood also has flying hours logged on the Chipmunk, Bulldog and Jet Provost.
Flight Lieutenant KEITH BREADMORE – was born in Aldershot and spent his early childhood in Germany and Singapore. He joined the RAF in 1968 and after completing flying training, was selected to fly the F4 Phantom II. Sadly, early RAF Phantoms had serviceability issues and all new postings were cancelled. A shortened tour flying Canberras on 100 Squadron was the consolation prize! To prove that good things come to those who wait, a posting to the Buccaneer OCU followed. On completion of the conversion course he was posted to 208 Squadron. The highlight of his time on Buccaneers was to take part in the very first 'Exercise Red Flag' at Nellis AFB. Red Flag was a complete unknown outside of the USAF but the Buccaneer’s performance ensured the RAF has been invited back every year since. After his time in the RAF he specialised in marketing MRP systems to aerospace and defence manufacturers. Today he is a trustee of the award winning Sywell Aviation Museum in Northamptonshire.
Air Marshal G.A. ‘Black’ Robertson CBE BA FRAeS FRSA – was born in Woodford, Essex, and educated nearby at Bancroft’s School. He earned his wings, the coveted pilot’s brevet, in 1966 after three years at the RAF College Cranwell. Subsequent postings included Bahrain, the USA, Germany and the Falklands. He flew all the RAF’s front line fast jets and also qualified as a helicopter pilot. Five tours as a Whitehall warrior were probably necessary penance for the privilege of command at almost every level. Highlights were his time as CO of No 92 Squadron, followed by appointment as an ADC to HM The Queen. In 1999 he joined BAE Systems and later started his own consultancy business.
Limited Edition Print Launch details TBC - Stay tuned for updates...
Come and support YOUR military veterans!
Items purchased at the event over £60 can be signed free of charge - otherwise the signing fee will be £20 per collector with a limit of three items at a time. All of our guests will be delighted to sign autographs and chat about their experiences...
Open from 10am
Signing starts 11am
Climb in a cockpit...
With the new arrival of Jet Provost T.3 XN511 - along with Sea Vixen XN647 - you'll have the chance to see what it's like behind the centre stick in a jet cockpit!
Bookings are now being taken so please contact us to secure your place.
📍Skyfall, Church Lane, Steventon, Oxfordshire, OX13 6SN
