The 80th Anniversary of The Battle of Britain
A recap of recent releases...
31 October marks the official end of the Battle of Britain in 1940. The young men of the RAF, though impossibly outnumbered, had repelled the might of Hitler’s war machine.
During this anniversary year we’ve seen some memorable releases which serve as lasting tributes to all those who took part.
Here's a quick recap...
CHANNEL STORM
by Anthony Saunders
Mk.I Spitfires of 610 (County of Chester) Squadron scramble away from Biggin Hill and head towards the Channel where a fresh wave of Luftwaffe raiders has been plotted heading for Fighter Command airfields, late August 1940.
Combining great skill with thoughtful insight, Anthony beautifully portrays the elegant fighters, glinting in sunlight, racing towards the storm clouds gathering on the horizon. The peaceful harvest taking place in the fields below is in stark contrast to the perils that lie ahead.
Reproduced as a Limited Edition print to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, each print carries the original signatures of highly-regarded RAF Fighter Pilots and Aces who flew during that long summer of 1940.
Adding great authenticity, the edition carries the original signatures of highly-regarded RAF Fighter Pilots and Aces who flew during that long summer of 1940.
The rare signatures include:
- Wg Cdr GEORGE 'GRUMPY' UNWIN DSO DFM*
- Wg Cdr PADDY BARTHROPP DFC AFC
- Sqn Ldr GEOFFREY WELLUM DFC
Prices from: £120
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SPITFIRE SCRAMBLE
by Richard Taylor
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From the day they’d moved down from Scotland in early August, 602 Squadron had been in the front line of the air fighting over southern England, bearing the brunt of the Luftwaffe’s increasing attacks. Based at Westhampnett, a satellite of nearby sector station RAF Tangmere, under their commanding officer Squadron Leader Sandy Johnstone, they would become one of longest serving front line squadrons during the Battle of Britain and one of the highest scoring.
Richard’s exquisite cameo Spitfire Scramble depicts a typical daily scene at Westhampnett as Flight Lieutenant ‘Mickey’ Mount, flight commander with 602 Squadron, leads the final section of Spitfires away from the base in a frantic scramble to intercept another large Luftwaffe force heading towards the Royal Navy’s main base at Portsmouth and radar stations on the Isle of Wight in August 1940.
In tribute to the brave young airmen of RAF Fighter Command who flew during the Battle of Britain in 1940, Richard's exquisite cameo bears the original signature of the pilot who had been with his squadron longer and flown more operational sorties during the battle than anyone else:
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Wg Cdr JOHN FREEBORN DFC*
Two signature and Framed Editions are available!
Prices from: £85
LEARN MORE ABOUT SPITFIRE SCRAMBLE HERE!
TESTING TIMES
by Keith Burns
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With the intensity of air fighting growing, Sergeant Don Kingaby and pilots of 266 Squadron ready their Mk.I Spitfires before the next mission of the day. Shortly after midday on Monday 12 August Kingaby claimed his first success by damaging two Ju88s and a Bf110 over the Solent during his maiden combat sortie from Tangmere.
Just 2,936 fighter pilots and aircrew flew against the mighty Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain and were entitled to wear the rare ‘Battle of Britain Clasp’ to their war medal. To earn that right and become one of ‘The Few’, they had to fly at least ‘one authorised operational sortie with an eligible unit of the RAF or Fleet Air Arm during the period from 00.01 hours on 10 July to 23.59 hours on 31 October 1940’. Understandably it remains one of the rarest ‘clasps’ of them all.
With Britain ripe for invasion, Luftwaffe supremo Hermann Goering overlooked the tenacity, bravery and courage of RAF Fighter Command as, during these testing times, Britain did not stand alone. Although the majority of aircrew were British, nearly 600 men came from other countries. Some such as Poland had been over-run by the Nazis, whilst other large contingents came from Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. There were even a few Americans.
Prices from: £75
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Group Captain Sir DOUGLAS BADER
by Robert Taylor
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Robert’s Icons of Flight series has proved to be one of the most collectible compilations of aviation artworks published by the Military Gallery. Revolutionary in concept, each release has quickly sold out at the publisher. Perhaps unsurprising given that Robert remains the undisputed master of his genre and that this particular series of ground-breaking artworks is dedicated to some of the most famous aviators in history. This latest release was no exception, featuring Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader, probably the best-known RAF fighter of the Second World War.
Limited Edition Book & Print Portfolio
Only 26 copies of this memorable edition are available worldwide. Each pair of drawings is exquisitely matted to full conservation standards in a single composition that includes museum-quality reproduction RAF wings plus a RARE and fully authenticated original autograph of the man himself;
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Group Captain Sir DOUGLAS BADER CBE DSO* DFC* DL FRAeS.
The portfolio is then completed with a matching-numbered and exclusively produced copy of the book DOUGLAS BADER – INSPIRATIONAL FIGHTER LEADER with paintings and drawings by Robert Taylor.
We have ONE COPY of this exclusive book and print portfolio available - the very last issued from the publisher!
Matted + ready to frame: £1,795
FIND OUT MORE HERE!
Unique Books with Original Pencil Drawings by Richard Taylor
Regarded as one of the most gifted exponents of pencil work in the industry, artist Richard has hand-crafted a number of original drawings in some very special books.
BATTLE OF BRITAIN BOOK HERE!
