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Cranston Fine Arts Aviation Art and Artists World War Two Veteran Signatures UK and Commonwealth I Innes, Robert

Squadron Leader Robert Innes

Born on June 15th 1918, Innes joined the RAFVR about August 1938 as an Airman under training Pilot. Called up on September 1st 1939 he completed his training at No 10 FTS Fern Hill from November 5th 1939 to early May 1940. Bob Innes was then posted to 253 (F) Squadron on Hurricanes at Kenley on May 6th 1940. He claimed a Bf110 destroyed on August 30th and on September 15th shot down a Dornier Do17 of 8/KG2. Bob Innes crashed in Hurricane V6736 on September 20th 1940 following an attack by Bf109s over Maidstone. He crashed again during an interception patrol on October 11th at Staplehurst in Kent, whilst flying Hurricane L1666 (force landing). He probably destroyed a Bf109 off the coast of Essex on November 11th 1940. Commissioned in March 1941 - Bob Innes served in Malta and retired from the RAF on August 31st 1961 as a Squadron Leader. Bob sadly passed away on April 6th 2005.

A photogaph of Robert Innes signing an edition of Merlins over Malta.

Squadron Leader Robert Innes - Signed Aviation Art

Clipped Signature - Robert Innes. One edition. £40.00

Merlins over Malta by Gerald Coulson. 4 of 5 editions available. All 5 editions feature up to 7 additional signatures. £170.00 - £270.00

Text for the above items :

Clipped Signature - Robert Innes. Flew Hurricanes with No.253 Sqn during the Battle of Britain, claiming an Me110 and Do17 before being shot down twice during dogfights at the height of the battle. He was commissioned in 1941 and served with No.185 Sqn in Malta, retiring in 1961 as a Squadron Leader. He died in 2005.

Merlins over Malta by Gerald Coulson. If the German and Italian forces were to succeed in their campaign in North Africa something had to be done about Malta. British submarines and torpedo carrying aircraft based on the tiny Mediterranean island were wreaking havoc with Axis shipping, severely hampering their efforts to get supplies and reinforcements through. The German High Command had had enough and the order came to obliterate the island. Malta immediately came under continual day and night aerial bombardment from the combined strengths of the Luftwaffe and Italian Regia Aeronautica. So intense was the onslaught that by the end of 1942 Malta had become the most heavily bombed place on earth. Too far away for fighters to fly from Gibraltar, any reinforcements would have to be brought part way by aircraft carrier. Until Churchills order to send the latest Spitfires came in March 1942, the island had to defend itself as best as it could with what remained serviceable of the few obsolescent Hurricanes flown to the island off HMS Argus in 1940, and from Ark Royal and Victorious in 1941. Gerald Coulsons painting Merlins over Malta shows Hurricanes of 126 Squadron, based at the islands Ta Qali airfield, diving to intercept a force of Junkers JU88 bombers as they make an attack on the port at Valletta. In the foreground of this powerful reconstruction is Hurricane Z3055, which is currently undergoing restoration for the Malta Aviation Museum. A memorable collector print in support of a truly memorable passage of history. Gerald Coulsons painting Merlins over Malta was specially commissioned to help raise funds for the Merlins over Malta Appeal, which aims to bring a Spitfire and Hurricane back to the scene of their epic defence, each print has been signed by famous Malta fighter pilots, and importantly every copy sold will directly benefit the Appeal.

Hurricane Manufacturer : Hawker Built : 14533

Hurricane Royal Air Force Fighter, the Hawker Hurricane had a top speed of 320mph, at 18,200 feet and 340mph at 17,500, ceiling of 34,200 and a range of 935 miles. The Hurricane was armed with eight fixed wing mounted .303 browning machine guns in the Mark I and twelve .303 browning's in the MKIIB in the Hurricane MKIIC it had four 20mm cannon. All time classic fighter the Hurricane was designed in 1933-1934, the first prototype flew in June 1936 and a contract for 600 for the Royal Air Force was placed. The first production model flew ion the 12th October 1937 and 111 squadron of the Royal Air Force received the first Hurricanes in January 1938. By the outbreak of World war two the Royal Air Force had 18 operational squadrons of Hurricanes. During the Battle of Britain a total of 1715 Hurricanes took part, (which was more than the rest of the aircraft of the Royal air force put together) and almost 75% of the Victories during the Battle of Britain went to hurricane pilots. The Hawker Hurricane was used in all theatres during World war two, and in many roles. in total 14,533 Hurricanes were built.

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Squadron Leader Robert Innes Squadron details

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