Description
THE OUTCOME OF THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN RESTED IN THE HANDS OF FEWER THAN 3,000 YOUNG MEN, MOST OF WHOM WERE PILOTS.
They came from every corner of Britain. And mostly they were young. These fresh faced fighter pilots, joined by an ever-growing band of volunteer airmen from the British Commonwealth and those who had managed to escape from the occupied countries of Europe would, over the summer of 1940, not only hold the world’s most powerful air force at bay, they would defeat it.
Richard Taylor’s stunning piece graphically conveys the conflicting realities of those deadly aerial encounters over southern England during 1940. As the sound of Merlin engines briefly interrupts the tranquillity of a sleepy English village, its residents are determined to carry on with everyday life. In the skies overhead the bitter battle will shortly be reaching its crescendo but, for today at least, the fighting is over as Flight Sergeant George ‘Grumpy’ Unwin, one of the Battle of Britain’s top Aces, and the Spitfire pilots of 19 Squadron return from yet another encounter with Goering’s much-vaunted Luftwaffe.
Overall size: 32” wide x 25” high Image size: 25 ¾” wide x 17 ¼” high
THE SIGNATURES
On the occasion of the Battle of Britain’s 75th Anniversary, the number of veterans who took part has sadly dwindled. Luckily for collectors and lovers of aviation, several of Churchill’s famous ‘Few’ have signed this stunning new piece which serves as a lasting legacy for future generations.
THE LIMITED EDITION with two signatures
Each print in all editions is individually numbered and personally signed by the artist and two Pilots who flew Spitfires during the Battle of Britain:
Flying Officer KEN WILKINSON – Spitfire Pilot with 616 and 19 Sqns
Squadron Leader NIGEL ROSE – Spitfire Pilot with 602 Sqn / 3 victories
400 Signed & numbered prints
THE ARTIST PROOFS with FOUR signatures
Each print in this FOUR signature edition is additionally signed by two further veterans who served during the Battle of Britain:
Flight Lieutenant BOB HUGHES DFC AE – WOp/AG on Blenheims with 23 Sqn
Leading Aircraftman BILL JONATHAN – Ground Crew with 32 Sqn on Hurricanes
25 Artist Proofs
THE REMARQUE EDITIONS with FOUR signatures
Regarded as one of the most gifted exponents of pencil work in the industry, Richard Taylor will hand-craft an original drawing in the lower margin of each print. If you have any particular request – such as specific aircraft markings – please ask when placing your order and we will do our best to accommodate.
25 Remarques
10 Double Remarques
