It is 7.15pm on 25th May 1941. The place, North Atlantic. The mission to find and sink the massive German warship Bismarck. The weather was very bad and worsening noticeably with storm force winds, rain squalls and increasingly heavy seas. With seemingly impossible flying conditions, Ark Royal launched its second strike of the day of fifteen swordfish, four each from 810 and 818 squadrons and seven from 820 squadron. Coming under intense fire the pilots came in very low and close and dropped their torpedo on the target. Eventually the Bismarcks fate was sealed by the guns of the Home Fleet.

Gerald Coulson has been painting professionally for over 30 years.  the Fine Art Guild have placed him among the top ten best selling UK artists no less than 15 times in 12 years - 3 times at No. 1.  Coulson's first love was aircraft, studying them and drawing them at every opportunity, from an early age.  His apprenticeship as an aircraft engineer  then as an RAF Technician and later an engineer with British Airways, have allowed him an insight and intimate knowledge of the aircraft he paints.  Now a Vice President, he is a founder member of the Guild of Aviation Artists and four times winner of the Flight International Trophy for outstanding aviation painting.  He qualified for his pilots licence in 1960 and is still actively flying today - mostly vintage aircraft and can often be seen buzzing over the Fens of Cambridgeshire in a Tiger Moth.  Whatever the subject, whether aviation, landscape or portrait, his ability to capture the realism and mood of the scene is unsurpassed, making him one of the most collected and highly regarded artists in the world today.

WE HAVE ONE PRINT  Signed by John Moffat, swordfish pilot accredited for the Torpedo that hit the Bismarck's steering gear. Print price £200. ($320) SOLD

It is 7.15pm on 25th May 1941. The place, North Atlantic. The mission to find and sink the massive German warship Bismarck. The weather was very bad and worsening noticeably with storm force winds, rain squalls and increasingly heavy seas. With seemingly impossible flying conditions, Ark Royal launched its second strike of the day of fifteen swordfish, four each from 810 and 818 squadrons and seven from 820 squadron. Coming under intense fire the pilots came in very low and close and dropped their torpedo on the target. Eventually the Bismarcks fate was sealed by the guns of the Home Fleet.