NEVER IN THE FIELD OF HUMAN CONFLICT…
by Robert Taylor
No two aircraft came to symbolise RAF Fighter Command’s epic struggle against the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain more than the Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane. Flown into the heat of battle throughout that long summer of 1940, a small band of brave young RAF airmen took these iconic aircraft to the skies in a herculean effort to repel the might of Hitler’s air force. Often outnumbered but never out-fought, they defied the odds to ensure that by the end of September 1940 their battle was won. For the first time the Luftwaffe had tasted defeat and Hitler’s dream that victorious soldiers of the Third Reich would march along the streets of Whitehall remained an illusion.
The courageous, ongoing efforts of the RAF were duly noted in parliament. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill delivered a speech to the House of Commons on 20 August 1940 which included the immortal words; ‘Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few’ and forever more the pilots who fought during the battle would be remembered as ‘the Few’.
In one of the finest drawings of his long career at the forefront of aviation art, Robert Taylor has delicately crafted a symbolic yet moving tribute to those brave airmen who flew in the Battle of Britain. Several of the battle’s great heroes later became personal friends with Robert who uses this deep insight and memories of those closely involved to transport us back to a rare moment of tranquillity. Employing his unmistakeable painterly style he gives us a magnificent view of the two iconic fighters as they overfly a wondrous birds-eye view of the Thames and London’s Palace of Westminster.
Faithfully reproduced as a high quality giclée fine art print on textured velvet paper, alongside is a completely separate portrait of Winston Churchill who will be eternally remembered as one of Great Britain’s most formidable leaders.
The Veteran’s Edition
The historical importance of this extremely limited edition is highlighted by the addition of rare ORIGINAL autographs within the conservation matting, including the former British Prime Minister and a further twenty highly-regarded pilots who flew Spitfires or Hurricanes during that long summer of 1940. Also included in each composition are museum-quality reproduction RAF Wings and an ORIGINAL fragment of sandstone recovered from the Houses of Parliament following severe damage during ‘The Blitz’ – Germany’s relentless bombing campaign.
The full list of signatures reads:
- Sir Winston Churchill KG OM CH TD DL FRS RA
- Group Captain Peter Townsend CVO DSO DFC*
- Wing Commander Geoffrey Page DSO OBE DFC*
- Air Vice-Marshal Harold Bird-Wilson CBE DSO DFC* AFC*
- Wing Commander Harbourne Stephen CBE DSO DFC*
- Air Commodore Sir Archie Winskill KCVO CBE DFC*
- Wing Commander Paddy Barthropp DFC AFC
- Group Captain Tom Dalton Morgan DSO OBE DFC*
- Air Commodore Alan Deere DSO OBE DFC*
- Wing Commander Bob Doe DSO DFC*
- Group Captain Billy Drake DSO DFC*
- Air Commodore James Leathart CB DSO
- Group Captain Byron Duckenfield AFC
- Air Commodore Paul Webb CBE DFC AE
- Group Captain Denys Gillam DSO** DFC* AFC
- Flight Lieutenant William James 'Bill' Green
- Squadron Leader Tony Iveson DFC AE
- Wing Commander John 'Tim' Elkington
- Squadron Leader Roy McGowan
- Group Captain Allan Wright DFC
- Squadron Leader Jocelyn Millard AE
Upgrade your copy to create a completely unique one-off Collector’s Piece
Over a number of years we’ve managed to source and collect a small number of additional autographs that would be perfect for including in the conservation matting. These include famous pilots and Aces who took part in the Battle of Britain along with some of the most significant strategic commanders of the RAF during this crucial period.
Talk to us TODAY about creating your bespoke piece with these special signatures!
Some of the rare signatures availbe are:
- Air Chief Marshal Sir HUGH DOWDING GCB, GCVO, CMG
- Air Chief Marshal Keith Park GCB KBE MC* DFC
- Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader CBE DSO* DFC*
- Air Commodore Peter Brothers CBE DSO DFC*
- Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum DFC
- Wing Commander Bob Stanford-Tuck DSO DFC**
- Wing Commander Tom Neil DFC* AFC AE
- Wing Commander Bob Foster DFC
- Dame Vera Lynn
- Media:
- Lithograph
- Size:
- 23 x 28.75 inches
- Release Date:
- 1/2023
Framing Service available on this item
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