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Squadron Leader Martin Withers, DFC - Signed Aviation Art


Cranston Fine Arts Aviation Art and Artists Modern Era Pilot Signatures UK W Withers, Martin

[UP] - Wallis, Ken - Ward, Sharkey - Watson, Derek - Wharmby, Paul - Whiteley, H - Williamson, Sir Keith - Willis, Paul - Wilson, Dave - Withers, Martin - Wratten, Sir William - Wright, Graham - Wright, Ricky - Wyatt, D - Wykeham, Sir Peter - Wykes-Sneyd, Ralf

Squadron Leader Martin Withers, DFC

Joined the RAF in 1968. In 1971, he was posted to 44 Sqn at RAF Waddington as a Vulcan co-pilot, remaining there on 50 Sqn as a captain until 1976. After 3 years as a Jet Provost QFI at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, he returned to RAF Scampton as a QFI on the Vulcan Operational Conversion Unit. When the OCU closed, he moved again to RAF Waddington as Pilot Leader and Squadron QFI on 101 Sqn. The following year, during the Falklands War, he and his crew were selected to fly 2 of the 5 Black Buck missions. Martin Withers was the captain on XM607, the first Vulcan to bomb in anger during the Falklands War. On 1 May 1982, just one month after the Argentine invasion, Withers and his crew completed Black Buck One, the longest distance bombing mission in history until that time, and one of the most significant, attacking Port Stanley airfield during an 8,000 mile, 16 hour flight from their base at Ascension Island. for which he was awarded the DFC, with the other crewmembers being Mentioned in Dispatches. With the final demise of the Vulcan squadrons, he returned to No1 FTS at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, where he served as squadron commander and Deputy Chief Instructor, until leaving the RAF in 1991, having flown over 5500 hours (2000 on Vulcans). Since then he has accumulated a further 9500 hours on a variety of airliners, and is now flying the Boeing 767.



Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished
Flying Cross

Squadron Leader Martin Withers, DFC - Signed Aviation Art

Black Buck One by Keith Woodcock.


Black Buck One by Keith Woodcock.
2 of 3 editions available.
The one edition featuring 5 additional signatures is available.
£105.00 - £220.00

Corporate Prelude by Philip West.


Corporate Prelude by Philip West.
One of 3 editions available.
All 3 editions feature an additional signature.
£140.00

Vulcan XH558, The Loved One by Michael Rondot.


Vulcan XH558, The Loved One by Michael Rondot.
One edition.
The edition features 3 additional signature(s).
£95.00


Falklands Bomber by Keith Aspinall.


Falklands Bomber by Keith Aspinall.
3 editions.
One edition features an additional signature.
£2.90 - £58.00

Return to Ascension by Simon Atack.


Return to Ascension by Simon Atack.
One edition.
The edition features an additional signature.
£105.00



Text for the above items :

Black Buck One by Keith Woodcock.

The longest ever bombing mission, 30th April - 1st May 1982. Vulcan B2 XM607 of 44 sqn prepares to refuel from Victor K2 XH672 of 57 sqn on its return from bombing Port Stanley Airport on the Falkland


Corporate Prelude by Philip West.

The Falklands conflict led to the Vulcan being used for the first time in anger in 25 years of RAF service; 44, 50 and 101 Sqdn. aircraft were involved in Operation Corporate with five crews selected, two from 50 Sqdn., one each from 44 Sqdn. and 101 Sqdn., plus others from the disbanded 9 Sqdn. This beautiful painting portrays the mighty XM607 at altitude during the work up period prior to active operations. During the Falklands War XM607, piloted by Martin Withers, flew there and back from Ascension Island non-stop, covering a staggering 7,500 miles; the flight lasted 15 hours 45 minutes - at the time, the longest combat flight in history. The Vulcan was refuelled by Victor tankers five times on the outward journey and once on the return journey.


Vulcan XH558, The Loved One by Michael Rondot.

Few aircraft have evoked such strong emotions with the airshow-going public as Vulcan XH558. Climbing almost vertically, with black smoke pouring from its thundering Olympus engines at full power, the Vulcan could bring any airshow to a complete standstill. Crowds watched in awe as the majestic delta winged bomber created a deafening roar of smoke and noise, the sight and sound of its display an emotional and unforgettable experience for those who witnessed it.


Falklands Bomber by Keith Aspinall.

The Vulcan B2 takes off from Ascension Island to play a major role in Operation Corporate, the name given to the British military operation to retake the Falkland Islands. The Vulcan would take part in the seven planned bombing missions during the Falklands campaign codenamed Operation Black Buck. Each mission would require a solo Vulcan Bomber (plus an airborne reserve Vulcan in case of problems with the first) to fly and bomb the Argentinean airfield at Port Stanley, requiring the support of 12 Handley Page Victor K2 tankers of 55 and 57 squadron on the outward journey and 2 Victors and a Nimrod on the return journey.


Return to Ascension by Simon Atack.

On the 30th April 1982, flying from Wideawake airfield on Ascension island, Flt. Lt. Martin Withers and his crew, flying RAF Vulcan (XM607) launched the first Black Buck bombing operation of the Falklands War. There and back the non-stop flight covered 7,500 miles, lasting 15 hours 45 minutes - at the time, the longest combat flight in history. The Vulcan was refuelled by Victor tankers five times on the outward journey and once on the return journey.

Squadron Leader Martin Withers, DFC
Aircraft details



Vulcan
Manufacturer : Avro

Vulcan
The Avro Vulcan was the worlds first delta winged heavy bomber. the first prototype flew on the 30th August 1952 and the first production Vulcan flew in February 1955. The first Avro Vulcan's arrived for service with the Royal Air Force with 230 operational Conversion Unit (OCU) at RAF Finningley in May 1956. with the first squadron to receive the Vulcan in July 1957 was 83 squadron. In April 1968 Bomber Command merged into the Newly created Strike Command with eight Squadrons being equipped with Vulcan's. A terrain Hugging variant was introduced (the Vulcan SR2) in 1973, to all squadrons except no. 27 squadron (Flying Elephants) which was a Maritime reconnaissance Sqd. The Last Major role for the Avro Bomber was the bombing of Argentinean Airfields in the Falkland Islands During The Falklands Conflict The Avro Vulcan high Altitude Bomber with a crew of five. Top Speed 650 mph with a ceiling of 60,000 feet. maximum range of 5750 miles (with in flight refuelling). with a conventional bomb load of 21 x 1000 lb bombs
Squadron Leader Martin Withers, DFC
Squadron details


No.101 Sqn RAF
Country : UK
Known Codes : , SR, LU, MW,

No.101 Sqn RAF

Mens agitat molem - Mind over matter

No 101 Squadron was formed on 12th July 1917 and based at South Farnborough. The squadron was commanded by Major The Hon L J E Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes, and by the end of July the squadron was sent to France where 101 Squadron was to become the second specialist night-bomber unit in the Royal Flying Corps. 101 Squadron was equipped with the FE2b two-seat pusher bi-plane and on the 20th September 1917 began flying night bombing missions during the Battle of Menin Ridge. 101 1quadron continued night bombing missions during the 3rd Battle of Ypres and the Battle of Cambrai. 101 squadron attacked several German long-range night bomber airfields during February 1918 and these missions were among the first offensive counter air operations and up until the end of the war continued bombing missions. After the First World War 101 squadron were based in Belgium until March 1919 when returning to Britian and disbanded on the 31st December. No.101 squadron reformed on the 21st March 1928 at RAF Bircham Newton and in March 1929 the squadron was issued with the new bomber the Boulton and Paul Sidestrand. The squadron moved to RAF Andover iIn October 1929 where it remained until December 1934 when 101 squadron moved to RAF Bicester and issued with the the improved Boulton Paul Overstrand, which featured the first powered gun turret in RAF aircraft as well as othe rmodifications including more powerful engines. The Boulton Paul Overstrand is displayed on 101 Squadron's official badge. In June 1938 No 101 Squadron re-equipped with Bristol Blenheim and was stationed now at RAF West Raynham in May 1939, as part of No 2 Group, Bomber Command. When World War Two broke out 101 Squadron were stationed at RAF Brize Norton, but returned to West Raynham. It was not until the fall of France when the squadron became operational but suffered a set back when its officer commanding, Wg Cdr J H Hargroves, and his crew were lost on its first bombing mission on 5th July 1940. During the Battle of Britain 101 Squadron Blenhiems carried out bombing missions against the German barges in French ports as well as German airfields in France. Another OC 101 Squadron, Wg Cdr D Addenbrooke, was lost on the 3rd April while taking part in a raid on French ports just 3 days after taking command. 101 Squadron were re-equipped with the Vickers Wellington in April 1940 and were based at RAF Oakington and became part of No 3 Group bomber command. On the 24th July 101 Squadron lost its first Wellington on a raid against Brest. Ten Wellingtons of 101 Squadron took part in the first 1,000 bomber raid on Cologne, but losses began to mount and between July and September the Squadron lost 20 Wellingtons with 86 aircrew killed. In September 101 Squadron moved to RAF Holme-on-Spalding-Moor in Septmber 1942 and became the first operational Avro Lancaster squadron in No 1 Group.Bomber Command. 101 squadron moved to its final wartime base, RAF Ludford Magna on 15th June 1943. 101 Squadrons Lancasters took part in the raids on Hamburg and the raid on the secret German rocket site at Peenemunde. Over the winter of 1943-1944 No.101 squadron took part in the raid on Berlin but suffered high casualties. On the 31st March 1944, during the Nuremberg Raid, 101 Squadron lost 7 Lancasters and crews out of 26 dispatched. In the spring and summer of 1944 101 squadron attacked targets in France in preparation for and support of the allied invasion of Normandy. On D-Day, the squadron used "ABC" to jam nightfighter controllers to protect the British airborne landings. After D-Day 101 squadron continued raids on German cities with their last bombing mission on Berchtesgarden on 25th April 1945. 101 bomber squadron suffered the highest casualties of any Royal Air Force Squadron during the Second World War, losing 1176 aircrew killed in action. In October 1945, the Squadron moved to RAF Binbrook and later equipped with Avro Lincolns. In May 1952 101 squadorn became the first bomber squadron to receive the first Jet Bomber the English Electric Canberra B2 and in 1954 were stationed in Malaya carrying out bombing misisons against terrorist targets. In October 1956 during the Suez crisis to Malta for Operation MUSKETEER bombing raids against Egypt befroe being disbanded in February 1957 but in 1959 101 squadron was reformed and re equipped with the new Avro Vulcan B1 and the first squadorn to be armed with the British H Bomb, In 1961 101 squadron moved to RAF Waddington. In 1968 the squadron was equipped with the new Vulcan B2 . In 1982,101 Squadron Vulcans took part in Operation CORPORATE, during the Falklands War. A 101 Squadron crew carried out the first and last Operation BLACKBUCK Vulcan conventional bombing raids on Argentinean forces occupying Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands. These 8,000 mile round trip missions required extensive use of Air to Air refuelling. After the Falklands war 101 squadron was equipped with VC10s and supplied fighter aircraft with air to air refuelling during all major conflicts form Bosnia, to Operation Desert Storm and continues today in this role.


No.44 Sqn RAF
Country : UK
Disbanded 21st December 1982
Known Codes : , KM, JW,

No.44 Sqn RAF

Rhodesia

Fulmina regis justa - The Kings thunderbolts are righteous


No.50 Sqn RAF
Country : UK
Disbanded 31st March 1984
Known Codes : , VN, ZN, QX,

No.50 Sqn RAF

From defence to attack

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