Aviation artist
Robert Taylor. Aviation art print 'Fight For the Sky' by Robert Taylor
depicting a Spitfire over the remains of a downed Heinkel.
A Heinkel has been brought down, one of many never to make it home on
this bright and sunny day. As the Luftwaffe bomber's crew emerge from
their broken aircraft, relieved to have survived the crash landing, a Mk I
Spitfire from No 66 Squadron roars low overhead to verify another victory.
In the distance, Hurricanes from No56 Squadron hurry back to North Weald
to refuel and rearm. High above the battle rages, the vapour trails
telling their own story.
All through the long hot summer of 1940 they crossed the Channel from
stolen bases in northern France, coming in mighty swarms to deliver their
deadly cargo. Bombers and dive-bombers, single-seat fighters and fast
twin-engined attack aircraft, their menacing shapes glinting with
swastikas and black crosses, blackening the summer sky. Over 3000 aircraft
were at the disposal of the boastful Luftwaffe supremo, Hermann Goering.
Within just a matter of weeks, he promised Hitler, the RAF would be
annihilated, allowing the invasion of Britain to proceed unhindered, and
Britain would become the final piece of the jigsaw giving Nazi domination
throughout Europe.
Against the might of German airpower stood less than 600 Spitfire and
Hurricane fighters, and as many young pilots determined to the man to
defend their homeland. And so commenced the battle that was to develop
into the greatest aerial conflict in history. Always outnumbered, often
flying six sorties a day, the RAF's young fighter boys flew themselves to
the point of exhaustion. Pilot losses forced desperate squadron commanders
to take youngsters into combat, some with just a few hours on fighters.
They flew and fought like tigers and they paid a heavy price, but never
did they lose their spirit.
Signatories: Paddy Barthropp, Ben Bennions, John
Bisdee, Bob Doe,
George Unwin, Allan Wright. Millennium proof publishers edition of 250. Price £425. extra
signatures from: Cyril Bamberger, Robert Beardsley, Buck Casson.
