Description
The largest dam in Europe, the fortress-like walls of Möhne held back nearly 140 million cubic metres of water essential to the industry and factories of the Ruhr. The Air Ministry had long ago decided that if the Möhne dam, and the two other major Ruhr dams – the Eder and Sorpe – were destroyed, it could deliver a massive blow to the Nazi war machine. But cracking open the mighty dams would require exceptional flying skills; and so, on 21 March 1943, a new squadron was formed specifically for the task, the only time this ever happened in Bomber Command. Known as 617 Squadron and led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, it was not only the squadron that was unique, so was the weapon they would be using – Upkeep – a cylindrical, hydrostatic ‘bouncing’ bomb. The brainchild of Barnes Wallis, Upkeep was designed to skip across the surface of the water, sink against the dam’s massive wall, and explode with enormous force at a precise depth.
Overall Print size: 28″ wide x 27″ high
In Robert Taylor’s sensational painting Guy Gibson and Mick Martin draw the enemy’s fire as ‘Dinghy’ Young clears the dam’s parapet seconds after releasing his bomb. A few moments later Young’s bomb will successfully detonate against the dam leaving it mortally wounded allowing David Maltby in AJ-J to finish the task. With the Möhne Dam breached Gibson, with the remaining crews, will turn south to repeat the operation at the Eder Dam.
Planned and created some years ago the prints were personally signed by all of the Dambusters veterans that were alive at that time in preparation for the 70th Anniversary. Sadly some have since passed away giving even greater meaning to this historic edition, allowing collectors a rare opportunity to acquire a new release carrying such iconic signatures:
THE LIMITED EDITION
Along with the artist Robert Taylor, every print in each edition is personally signed by the following THREE veterans of the Dambuster Raid:
Sqn Ldr GEORGE L. JOHNSON DFM RAF
Served as Bomb Aimer on Joe McCarthy’s Lancaster AJ-T which attacked the Sorpe Dam.
Cpl KENNETH LUCAS RAF
Served as Ground Crew for 617 Sqn carrying out the special modifications to the Lancasters before the raid.
Sgt FREDERICK E. SUTHERLAND RCAF
Served as front gunner on Les Knight’s Lancaster AJ-N which breached the Eder Dam.
THE COLLECTORS EDITION
Each print in these FIVE signature editions are also signed by:
Flt Sgt GRANT S. McDONALD RCAF
Served as rear gunner on Lancaster AJ-F flown by Ken Brown.
Sqn Ldr LES MUNRO DSO DFC RNZAF
The pilot of Lancaster AJ-W assigned to attack the Sorpe Dam.
THE GICLEE EDITION
Carefully crafted onto fine canvas, each of these Giclée Proofs are signed by Robert Taylor, hand-numbered and issued with a Certificate of Authenticity. Released pre-stretched and ready to frame (overseas orders sent unstretched, rolled)
Canvas Size: 34″ wide x 30″ high
THE LIMITED EDITION – Edition Size – 350
THE COLLECTORS EDITION – Edition Size – 275
THE COLLECTORS ARTIST PROOF – Edition Size – 25
THE GICLEE STUDIO PROOF – Edition Size – 50
