Description
8 signature Collectors Edition
In the history of air warfare few missions come close in terms of courage and the highest skills of precision flying to the one carried out by 617 Squadron on the night of 16/17 May 1943. Codenamed Operation Chastise, their mission was to destroy the great dams that were vital to the industries of the Ruhr and, to do so, they would use a radical new weapon designed by Barnes Wallis – a ‘bouncing bomb’ that would ‘skip’ across the water before detonating against the dam wall.
On the night of 16 May, after seven weeks of intensive low level training, nineteen crews flew their Lancaster Bombers from RAF Scampton to carry out what became one of the most legendary missions of all time. The result was the destruction of the Möhne and Eder dams.
Robert Taylor’s outstanding painting depicts a moment at the height of the successful attack on the Möhne Dam, the first of three primary targets that night, as ‘Dinghy’ Young powers Lancaster AJ-A over the wall of the dam just after releasing his bouncing bomb.
Commanding Officer Guy Gibson, flying high with lights on to draw enemy flak, noted that Young’s bomb made “three good bounces” before successfully detonating against the dam wall to trigger its collapse. David Maltby in AJ-J will shortly deliver the final, decisive blow.
Robert Taylor’s outstanding painting depicts the moment as ‘Dinghy’ Young powers Lancaster AJ-A over the wall of the Möhne Dam, moments after releasing his bouncing bomb. Commanding Officer Guy Gibson, flying high with lights on to draw enemy flak, noted “three good bounces” of the bomb before it successfully detonated against the dam wall to trigger its collapse. David Maltby in AJ-J will shortly deliver the final, decisive blow.
THE SIGNATURES
The publisher is honoured to have gathered together EIGHT veterans who were involved in this legendary raid to autograph the edition, creating a historically important and valuable future collectors piece.
Overall print size: 35” wide x 22” high Image size: 28½” wide x 15” high
THE COLLECTOR’S EDITION with EIGHT signatures
With all signatures of the Limited Edition, the prints have been signed by a further five veterans who took part in the Dambusters Raid. Sadly, some have since passed away so this superb edition offers a personal link to the last courageous people to take part in this legendary mission.
Squadron Leader GEORGE ‘JOHNNY’ JOHNSON DFM RAF
Bomb-aimer on Lancaster AJ-T that attacked the Sorpe Dam, scoring a direct hit.
Corporal MAUREEN STEVENS WAAF
The R/T Operator at RAF Scampton throughout the raid constantly communicating with the crews.
Dr MARY STOPES-ROE
The daughter of Sir Barnes Wallis who, as a child, helped inspire her father to develop the Bouncing Bomb.
Squadron Leader LES MUNRO DSO DFC RNZAF
Pilot of Lancaster AJ-W assigned to attack the Sorpe Dam and one of the three flight commanders.
Flight Sergeant GRANT McDONALD RCAF
Rear Gunner on Lancaster AJ-F which attacked the Sorpe Dam despite heavy flak en route.
Sergeant FRED ‘DOC’ SUTHERLAND RCAF
Front Gunner on Lancaster AJ-N which attacked, and successfully breached, the Eder Dam.
Flying Officer RAY GRAYSTON RAF
The Flight Engineer on Lancaster AJ-N that successfully breached the Eder Dam.
Corporal KEN LUCAS RAF
Ground Crew with 617 Sqn, he was involved in fitting special modifications to the Lancasters for the raid.
150 Collectors Edition
