British Aviation Art

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Outbound Lancaster by Gerald Coulson. 3 of 4 editions available. The one edition featuring 4 additional signatures is available. £15.00 - £125.00

The Magic of Flight by Gerald Coulson. One edition. The edition features an additional signature. £210.00

British Aerospace Concorde by Gerald Coulson. One edition. £15.00

Moonlight by Gerald Coulson. 4 editions. All 4 editions feature an additional signature. £80.00 - £150.00

Brief Encounter by Gerald Coulson. 3 editions. £100.00 - £150.00

To Sink the Bismarck by Gerald Coulson. One edition. £180.00

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

Synchro by Gerald Coulson. One of 2 editions available. Both editions feature 9 additional signatures. £160.00

Thunder & Lightnings by Gerald Coulson. 2 of 3 editions available. £120.00 - £150.00

Long Night Ahead by Gerald Coulson. 3 editions. £32.00 - £47.00

Operation Jericho, the Jail Breakers by Gerald Coulson. One edition. £480.00

A Lincolnshire Sunset 1944 by Gerald Coulson. 2 of 5 editions available. 2 of 4 editions featuring up to 9 additional signatures are available. £150.00 - £180.00

Winter Ops by Gerald Coulson. 5 of 6 editions available. All 5 editions featuring up to 14 additional signatures are available. £150.00 - £595.00

Rhapsody in Blue by Gerald Coulson 3 of 4 editions available. All 4 editions feature up to 4 additional signatures. £270.00 - £395.00

A Moment of Triumph by Gerald Coulson. One of 3 editions available. The edition featuring 2 additional signatures is sold out. £140.00

The Dambusters by Gerald Coulson. 2 of 4 editions available. All 4 editions feature up to 11 additional signatures. £200.00 - £250.00

High Spirits 1940 by Gerald Coulson. 2 editions. £85.00 - £90.00

Croydon Departure by Gerald Coulson. One edition. £65.00

Battle of Britain, Manston, 12th August 1940 by Gerald Coulson. 2 of 3 editions available. All 3 editions feature an additional signature. £130.00 - £160.00

Happy Days by Gerald Coulson. 2 editions. £120.00 - £160.00

Singing Wires by Gerald Coulson. One edition. £90.00

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Text for the above items :

Outbound Lancaster by Gerald Coulson. An all time classic image of the Lancaster bomber of Bomber command at altitude crossing the coast on its way to another bombing mission in Europe. In this atmospheric classic image, Gerald Coulson has shown this stalwart of the Royal Air Forces Bomber Command during the second world war. A superb partner painting to the other classic Gerald Coulson image, Off Duty Lancaster.

The Magic of Flight by Gerald Coulson. No text for this item

British Aerospace Concorde by Gerald Coulson. No text for this item

Moonlight by Gerald Coulson. Flying secret agents in and out of occupied France, transporting arms and radio equipment to the Resistance, and collecting downed airmen from behind enemy lines, was one of the most hazardous flying operations of World War II. These cloak and dagger sorties, always conducted at night by the light of the moon, required a cool head and inordinate flying and navigational skills - a duty performed courageously by the pilots of RAF Special Duty Squadrons. Due to their clandestine nature, the true magnitude of their operations only became fully appreciated when the war was over.

Brief Encounter by Gerald Coulson. Royal Flying Corps SE5As of 56 squadron engaged in air combat with flying circus Fokker Dr1s commanded by the great German ace Baron von Richthofen, France 1917.

To Sink the Bismarck by Gerald Coulson. 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 Bismarck's fate was sealed by the guns of the Home Fleet.

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.

Synchro by Gerald Coulson. The Red Arrows. Published in 1988 and signed by all 9 pilots of that season.

Thunder & Lightnings by Gerald Coulson. A pair of English Electric Lightning F3s of 111 squadron depart. Reheat selected, they accelerate rapidly to blast off, cascading spray from a rain-soaked runway. This is the classic interceptor, with superb handling qualities and unmatched climb-to-height performance. The Lightning is the only British-designed and built fighter capable of achieving twice the speed of sound. The RAF took delivery in 1960 and they remained in front-line service until phased out in 1988. The last of the classic single-seat fighters, the Lightning enters the hall of fame alongside the Camel, Fury, Hurricane and Spitfire. The artist was once able to fly a two-seat version- Lightning T5- at just over 1000mph- which he describes as an unforgettable experience.

Long Night Ahead by Gerald Coulson. A Lancaster heads out to its target as the sun sets.

Operation Jericho, the Jail Breakers by Gerald Coulson. One secondary market print available, numbered 166 / 850.

A Lincolnshire Sunset 1944 by Gerald Coulson. The Avro Lancaster was possibly the most versatile and successful bomber aircraft ever and certainly became the backbone of RAF Bomber Command during WWII. Being able to deliver a greater payload than any other aircraft of The War, the Lancaster was involved in nearly every night bombing raid on Europe and undertook some of the most famous bombing missions in History. Of all the crews of RAF Bomber Command 617 Squadron are perhaps the best known. Famed for their expertise in precision bombing they took part in some of the most daring raids of the War. Many of the crews such as Guy Gibson, Leonard Cheshire and Bill Reid became household names and their exploits are well documented. This superb painting by Gerald Coulson is a tribute to all those crews who flew with Bomber Command. Each print is personally signed by prominent crew who flew with 617 Squadron during WWII. Coulsons painting captures the moment perfectly. As the sun is setting in the early part of 1944 over their Lincolnshire airfield , groundcrews make final preparations to the Lancasters of 617 Squadron. Beneath the mighty aircraft crews ready themselves for a long , gruelling night operation over occupied Europe.

Winter Ops by Gerald Coulson. Up to 1942 Bomber Command operations were beset by many problems. The means they had to accurately pinpoint the target and assault it were totally lacking, in fact their Commander in Chief, Air Marshall Arthur Harris later wrote : It was glaringly obvious that the average crew in average weather could not find their way to the target. Between February and August 1942 an effort was made to rectify this through the development of a specialised target finding and target marking force, which became known as the Pathfinders. Activated on August 15 this new group was formed under the leadership of their AOC Air Commodore Don Bennett, himself a very experienced pre war pilot with exceptional navigational skills. The aircrews of No. 8 (PFF) Group were tasked with marking out the designated targets but the formation of this group was initially opposed by Harris. He felt that the ranks of his Main Force could be weakened if a high number of experienced and highly skilled crews were taken by this specialist unit, leading to a lessening of skills within the other bomber groups. He agreed however for an alternative scheme whereby complete units were assigned to the Pathfinder Force and the stage was then set for what was to become the Main Offensive of Bomber Command. The first four Squadrons - Nos. 7 (Stirlings) 35 (Halifax) 83 (Lancaster) and 156 (Wellingtons) - were based at a clutch of airfields between Cambridge and Huntingdon. In the absence of any specialist Target Markers the crews were initially forced to operate using standard flares and the early raids produced variable results, with cloud cover often proving the main obstacle in accurate marking. However during the winter of 1942 the introduction of the ground guided marking system, OBOE, marked a quantum leap in accurate target marking and by mid 1943 Pathfinder techniques had been developed for all forms of weather conditions, including nights when complete overcast existed.Pathfinder crews used a combination of personal skill and technical equipment such as H2S to locate their targets. Often flying against overwhelming odds and in appalling conditions they transformed the performance of a bomber force that in 1941 was dropping almost half its bombs on open countryside. This third and final painting in Gerald Coulsons Tribute to Bomber Command depicts Lancaster Bombers of No.8 (PFF) Group returning late after a gruelling operation over Berlin. It is Christmas 1943 and the winter landscape reflects the early morning sunrise as the weary crews approach the safety of their Cambridgeshire base.

Rhapsody in Blue by Gerald Coulson The 70th Anniversary of the Spitfire 1936-2006. Geralds majestic study of Spitfire prototype K5054, resplendent in its new all-blue paint scheme, is seen banking high above the clouds during an early test flight in March 1936. As the little fighter lifted off Eastleigh airfield into the early spring sunshine, Summers knew immediately that Supermarine had created a thoroughbred. Powered by a 900hp Rolls Royce Merlin engine, the prototype at once displayed superb handling qualities and performance, achieving almost 350mph in level flight. Thus was born the Spitfire, the most famous British aircraft of all time. The Spitfire was to become the most important single type Allied aircraft of World War Two, was built in greater numbers than any other Allied fighter, and remianed in production throughout the war. Its superb design allowed the airframe to be continually developed and by the end of the war, now with twice the engine power, Mitchells little fighter had won its place in history. Adored by its pilots, in experienced hands the Spitfire was invincible in close air-to-air combat.

A Moment of Triumph by Gerald Coulson. On the afternoon of Sunday, 13th September 1931, Flt. Lt J N Bootham, RAF, in a Southampton-built S6B seaplane, tore through the skies over the Solent to average 340.08mph round a 217-mile course. This fly-over was sufficient for Great Britain to gain the Schneider Trophy outright since it meant that the event had been won on three consecutive occasions. That it nearly didn't happen is part of the history of British Aviation, only timely sponsorship saving the whole Supermarine programme. So ended an era in aviation history which, with hindsight, proved so important for the free world as it was from this remarkably-advanced design of airframe and engine that R J Mitchells most famous aircraft of all time, the Spitfire, was developed. Without the advances brought on by the development of the Supermarine racing seaplanes, it is doubtful that the technology required for the Spitfire would have been so readily available. The Merlin and Griffon engines from Rolls Royce were also part of this programme. These were to be the mainstay of the British Aircraft Industry during World War II and become a legend in their own right. A replica of the aircraft which went on to set world air speed records can be seen in the Southampton Hall of Aviation, together with the legendary Spitfire. The Schneider Trophy was won outright by Great Britain on September 13th 1931. Flight Lieutenant J N Boothman flying S6B S1595, completed the seven laps at an average speed of 340.08mph. Fg Off Leonard Snaith and Flt Lt Freddy Long were the first and second reserve pilots of the 1931 GB Schneider Trophy team, behind J N Boothman.

The Dambusters by Gerald Coulson. Mick Martin's Lancaster pulls away from the Möhne Dam, his Upkeep bomb exploding behind him sending a huge plume of water into the air. Guy Gibson flies to his right drawing flak from the anti-aircraft guns on the towers.

High Spirits 1940 by Gerald Coulson. The new boy follows the more experienced squadron pilot, learning the manoeuvres which will be so important in the months to come. The two Spitfires fly over the southern coast which will soon become the air battlefield on which the face the German bomber and fighter squadrons during the Battle of Britain.

Croydon Departure by Gerald Coulson. During the early 1930s, Imperial Airways of London introduced to its European and Eastern routes the HP42, an enormous four-engined Handley Page biplane carrying up to 38 passengers at a sedate 100mph. For the first time air travellers could enjoy Pullman comfort, the wicker-work chairs finally being dispensed with. Eight of these outstanding aircraft were built and operated from 1931 to the start of the Second World War. The European services were flown by the four known as the Heracles class with fleet names Horatius, Hengist and Helena. The Hannibal class with Horsa, Hanno and Hadrian serviced the Empire routes. They accumulated over 10 million miles of peacetime operations wthout harm to a single passenger or crew member. Safety became their byword. Depicted here is Horatius, bound for Paris from Croydon. What a sight to behold, truly a galleon of the clouds.

Battle of Britain, Manston, 12th August 1940 by Gerald Coulson. A surprise dive bombing attack at 12.45pm as Spitfires of 65 squadron were taking off. 148 bombs were dropped on the airfield and hangars. The entire squadron got airborne with one exception, its engine was stopped by the blast from one of the bombs.

Happy Days by Gerald Coulson. Few pilots can resist the temptation for low flying should the opportunity present itself. Out of sight of the spoil-sport eyes of the authority, the rules will be broken, the artist would indulge in this chancy but undeniable thrill. A great sensation from any cockpit but for the artist nothing can compare with the effect from behind a pair of goggles to the accompaniment of humming wires around the cockpit of a Tiger Moth.

Singing Wires by Gerald Coulson. Gerald Coulson said of this painting : How very fortunate to be in a position to paint aviation as a result of direct experience. This aeroplane has been featured in many of my paintings. The fact that I have flown this machine for years and still do probably has something to do with it. It is, of course, the de Havilland Tiger Moth, one of the greatest aeroplanes in the world. Not one of the most comfortable, nor noted for its crisp handling qualities. It is, nevertheless, a delight in which to be aloft over a sun-dappled landscape. With the roar of the Gypsy engine, the slipstream singing through the bracing wires and the sun flashing off silvered wing, what more inspiration does an aviation artist require.