HIGH COST
by Robert Taylor
"The crews of Bomber Command faced one of the most daunting tasks, calling for courage sustained night after night, in conditions of desperate danger and discomfort. They did not fail us and 55,573 paid the supreme sacrifice."
- H.R.H. The Duke of Kent
This evocative piece recreates a typical scene encountered by many RAF bomber squadrons on raids over enemy territory: After 30 trouble free completed operations, Lancaster PG-G of 619 Squadron returns home on the morning of 9th February 1945 after a gruelling operation to Stettin Bay. The entire length of the aircraft has been raked by gunfire and there are injuries on board having encountered Luftwaffe night-fighters. Beginning to lose altitude and slip behind the returning formation, PG-G will struggle to return to her base in Lincolnshire on this fateful February morning.
The RAF Edition
The RAF edition is signed by Aircrew that flew with the RAF Bomber Command during WWII:
- Flight Lieutenant George Britton
- Warrant Officer Richard 'Basher' Hearne
- Flight Lieutenant Tom Austin DFC AE
- Wing Commander 'Mac' England DFC*
- Flight Lieutenant John Cox DFC
The RAAF Edition
This edition is signed by THREE RAAF Airmen who flew Lancasters with 619 Squadron.
- Flying Officer Norman A. Grampe
- Flight Lieutenant John M. Grant
- Flying Officer Bernard T. Hucks DFC
The Victoria Cross Proofs
Commemorating the twenty-three airmen of RAF Bomber Command who were decorated with the Victoria Cross during World War II, each individual print is matted to additionally include the original signatures of two of these extraordinary Victoria Cross recipients.
- Wing Commander Roderick Learoyd VC (Matted)
- Warrant Officer Norman Jackson VC
Multi-Signed Collectors Piece
This RAF Limited Edition has been conservational matted and addionally signed to create an EIGHTEEN signature collector's piece. The full list of signatures reads as follows:
- Flight Lieutenant George Britton
- Flight Lieutenant John Cox DFC
- Warrant Officer Richard 'Basher' Hearne
- Flight Lieutenant Tom Austin DFC AE
- Wing Commander 'Mac' England DFC*
- Flight Lieutenant Hal Gardner
- Warrant Officer Rex Statham
- Leading Aircraftsman Bernard Mabey
- Squadron Leader George Johnson MBE DFM
- Flight Lieutenant George Dunn DFC MiD
- Warrant Officer Gerard Norwood
- Warrant Officer Roy Briggs
- Flight Sergeant Len Manning
- Flight Lieutenant Russell 'Rusty' Waughman DFC AFC Ld'H
- Squadron Leader Lawrence 'Benny' Goodman
- Warrant Officer Harold Kirby Ld'H
- Flight Sergeant Tom Sayer DFM
- Media:
- Lithograph
- Size:
- 27.125 x 17.75 inches
- Release Date:
- 7/2006
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