Description
Rare Print
Robert Taylor records one of the 3 air victories scored by Bob Stanford-Tuck on his first day in combat
Few fighter pilots scored a victory on their first day in combat. Bob Stanford-Tuck managed to destroy no fewer than three enemy aircraft on his first engagement with the enemy. Adding credit to this feat, the combat took place during the early part of WWII when most of the time the RAF pilots were heavily outnumbered.
Regarded by many to have been one of the most naturally talented fighter pilots, Bob Stanford-Tuck demonstrated exceptional skill immediately he started flying. He had complete mastery of his machine, be it Spitfire or Hurricane, and an uncanny skill in the art of tactics and deflection shooting in the heat of battle.
Fearless and effective in battle, no matter what the odds, Stanford-Tuck achieved a significant 29 aerial victories as early as 1942 when he was shot down by groundfire over Northern France.
Robert Taylor’s painting depicts Bob Stanford-Tuck destroying his third enemy of the day – a Me110 – over Dunkirk, and Bob’s own words when he saw the painting were :”The painting is so realistic. That is just how I remember the action.”
High over the French port of Dunkirk Tuck’s 92 squadron spitfire is seen in vertical banking turn with the Me110 streaming smoke way below. Certainly one of the most dramatic aviation paintings depicting the action of the era, collectors will recognise the added value of this fighter Ace’s signature.
Bob Stanford-Tuck
The late Bob Stanford-Tuck was an exuberant character. He joined the RAF in 1935 and, after training at Grantham on Tutors, Harts, Furies and Bulldogs, he gained his wings with the rating ‘exceptional’ . In 1936 he joined No 65 Squadron, first flying Demons, followed by Gauntlets, Gladiators and then ,in 1938, Spitfires.
When war broke out he had already flown several hundred hours on Spitfires.
Bob flew his first combat mission on May 23 1940, during the Battle of Dunkirk. Flying a Spitfire with No 92 Squadron, he destroyed an ME109 in the morning and two Me110s later in the same day. He fought an all the great air battles over Dunkirk and the Channel during the build up to the Battle of Britain. During the Battle he was posted to command No 257 Hurricane Squadron, which had suffered heavy casualties – a post he held until mid 1941, when he took command of the Duxford Fighter Wing. After a brief period in the USA h assumed command of the Biggin Hill Wing consisting of four Spitfire Squadrons. In January 1942 he was shot down by ground fire during a low-level attack over Northern France by which time he had scored 29 air victories.
Overall Print Size 24″ x 20″
Each print signed by Robert Taylor and countersigned by Wing Commander Bob Stanford-Tuck.
