| Aviation artist
Robert Taylor. Aviation art print 'Wings of Glory'
by Robert Taylor
"Achtung Spitfire!! Achtung Spitfire!!" The shrill,
nerve tingling words screamed over the intercoms that never failed to
bring fear and trepidation to the Luftwaffe bomber crews, and a rush of
adrenalin in the German fighter pilots. More than any fighter in the
history of aerial combat, the Spitfire has set aviators' emotions
racing. And, after 65 years, she does to this day!
Like her great adversary, the Messerschmitt Bf109, the Supermarine
Spitfire gained legendary status, both fighters becoming timeless symbols
of the opposing nations that contested the skies of Europe during World
War II. Drawing first blood in the Battle of Britain, their six year
duel continued without interruption till the end of the war.
Being directly descended from Mitchell's pre-war, all conquering
Supermarine racing seaplanes, the little all metal fighter arrived in the
RAF squadrons in 1939 - just in the nick of time! Only 9 squadrons
had received their gleaming new Spitifres at the outbreak of war, 19
squadrons being operational at the outset of the Battle of
Britain.
Distinctive with its thin, aero-dynamically advanced elliptical wings
and the unmistakable roar of its 12-cylinder Rolls Royce Merlin engine,
this graceful, agile, fighter was from the start, close to the perfect
fighting machine. So fine was the Spitfire's design no fewer than 40
variants were developed, more than any other British fighter in
history. Unlike its Me109 rival, which sprouted bulges, bumps and
cowls in its quest for performance, the Spitfire grew ever more sleek and
beautiful with each step in her illustrious career. In her final
cloak she was a masterpiece.
Collectors edition of 500 prints signed by Neville Duke, John Freeborn,
Alex Henshaw and Basil Stapleton
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| Wings of Glory by Robert Taylor
Collectors edition of 500 prints signed by Neville Duke, John Freeborn,
Alex Henshaw and Basil Stapleton. Paper size 27" x 22". Print
price £130 ($195). Includes companion print Spitfire Sortie (17" x
14"). Print serial number RT312.
Battle of Britain Portfolio edition
of 350 signed by the above. Paper
size 27" x 22". Print price £185 ($275). Includes companion
print Spitfire Sortie and pencil print
Hurricane Victory (21" x 17"). Print serial number RT312B. |
©
Copyright
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Companion print 'Spitfire Sortie' part
of the Collectors edition of Wings of Glory |
Pencil print 'Hurricane Victory' (part
of the portfolio edition of Wings of Glory which also included
Spitfire Sortie (Battle
of Britain Portfolio Edition Only) |
| Text for the above:
"Achtung Spitfire!! Achtung Spitfire!!" The shrill,
nerve tingling words screamed over the intercoms that never failed to
bring fear and trepidation to the Luftwaffe bomber crews, and a rush of
adrenalin in the German fighter pilots. More than any fighter in the
history of aerial combat, the Spitfire has set aviators' emotions
racing. And, after 65 years, she does to this day!
Like her great adversary, the Messerschmitt Bf109, the Supermarine
Spitfire gained legendary status, both fighters becoming timeless symbols
of the opposing nations that contested the skies of Europe during World
War II. Drawing first blood in the Battle of Britain, their six year
duel continued without interruption till the end of the war.
Being directly descended from Mitchell's pre-war, all conquering
Supermarine racing seaplanes, the little all metal fighter arrived in the
RAF squadrons in 1939 - just in the nick of time! Only 9 squadrons
had received their gleaming new Spitifres at the outbreak of war, 19
squadrons being operational at the outset of the Battle of
Britain.
Distinctive with its thin, aero-dynamically advanced elliptical wings
and the unmistakable roar of its 12-cylinder Rolls Royce Merlin engine,
this graceful, agile, fighter was from the start, close to the perfect
fighting machine. So fine was the Spitfire's design no fewer than 40
variants were developed, more than any other British fighter in
history. Unlike its Me109 rival, which sprouted bulges, bumps and
cowls in its quest for performance, the Spitfire grew ever more sleek and
beautiful with each step in her illustrious career. In her final
cloak she was a masterpiece. |
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Print titles signed by pilot :
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Squadron Leader Neville Duke, DSO, OBE, DFC*, AFC, CzMC
Neville Duke flew Spitfires as wingman to Sailor Malan in 92
Squadron. In November 1941 he was posted to 112 Squadron in the
Middle East. After a second tour in the Desert, he flew a third
tour, with 145 Squadron in Italy. He was the top scoring Allied Ace
in the Mediterranean with 28 victories. After the war, in 1953, he
captured the World Air Speed record.
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Print titles signed by pilot :
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Wing Commander John Freeborn DFC*
Johnie Freeborn flew Spitfires with 74 Squadron over Dunkirk, and was
in action throughout the Battle of Britain, he had been with his squadron
longer, and flown more hours, than any other Battle of Britain
pilot. He joined 602 Squadron in 1942, and commanded 118 Squadron in
June 1943. In June 1944 he was promoted Wing Commander Flying of 286
Wing in Italy. John Freeborn scored 17 victories.
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Print titles signed by pilot :
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Chief Test Pilot Alex Henshaw
Alex Henshaw perhaps understands the Spitfire better than any other
living pilot today - for he was Vickers Chief Test Pilot on Spitfires at
the new Spitfire factory at Castle Bromwich during World War II. By
the end of the war he had personally test flown a total of 2360 different
Spitfires and Seafires - more than ten per cent of the entire
production. It is often stated that those lucky enough to have seen
Alex handle the Spitfire in flight, that it is an experience that can
never be forgotten, he was acknowledged as a virtuoso in aerobatics. |
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Print titles signed by pilot :
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Squadron Leader Basil Stapleton DFC
Born in South Africa, Basil Stapleton joined the RAF in Jan 1939, being
posted to 603 Sqn flying Spitfires. He first saw action off
Scotland, sharing in the destruction of two bombers, before the Squadron
was posted south to Hornchurch during the height of the Battle of
Britain. By Nov 1940 his tally had risen to 6 and 2 shared victories
and 8 probables. In March 1942 he was posted to 257 Sqn as
flight commander. In August 1944 he commanded 247 Sqn flying
Typhoons, taking part in the Arnhem operations. In December 1944,
whilst attacking a train, debris hit his aircraft forcing him to land
behind enemy lines where he was taken prisoner of war. |
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