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THIS SCEPTRED ISLE
by Robert Taylor
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COMMEMORATING THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN 1940
For nearly a thousand years the white
cliffs of southern England had taunted
many a foreign army. These fortress walls
of chalk, however, were defended by the
moat-like waters of the Channel and
together they had shielded the British
from her enemies. Alongside Drake they had
defied the armies of Spain and her great
Armada and, in 1805, had halted the march
of Napoleon's Grande Armee. No enemy force
since that of William the Conqueror in
1066 had successfully managed to cross the
Channel in anger but, in May 1940, one of
the most powerful armies the world had
ever seen arrived at Calais. An invasion
by Hitler's all-conquering Wehrmacht was
imminent - or so it seemed.
To cross the Channel and breach the
English defences, the Luftwaffe simply had
to gain control of the skies, and with
massively superior numbers the outcome
seemed inevitable. The fate of Britain lay
in the hands of less than 3,000 young
airmen from Fighter Command - Churchill's
'Few'.
By July the most famous air battle in
history was underway and, over the next
three months, under tranquil summer skies,
the 'Few' battled to defend their Sceptred
Isle. Impossibly outnumbered and flying
daily to the point of exhaustion, by
October these courageous young men had
snatched victory and from the jaws of
defeat, emerging defiantly victorious. The
threat of invasion might be over but a
terrible price had been paid - during that
long battle for the survival of Britain
544 had been killed and 422 wounded; and
of those who survived a further 814 would
be killed before the end of the war.
It is to the valiant 'Few' that Robert
Taylor once again pays tribute in this
masterful painting portraying a fleeting
moment of calm for the pilots of 74
(Tiger) Squadron during the height of the
Battle of Britain. With his commanding
officer Sailor Malan (ZP-A) to his right,
Acting Flight Lieutenant John Freeborn
(ZP-C) takes time to reflect on another
day of intense combat while passing over
the white cliffs and the familiar
lighthouse at Beachy Head, as the squadron
cross the English coast to head for home.
Overall print size: 24 3/4"wide x 18 1/2" high
Image size: 19 1/4" wide x 13?high
The Military Gallery is extremely honoured that this edition carries the signatures of veterans that fought during the Battle of Britain, including John Freeborn who is featured in the piece. It is a poignant reminder that a number of these iconic men have sadly passed away since signing, giving enthusiasts the opportunity to add a piece of great historic significance to their collections.
THE LIMITED EDITION
Joining artist Robert Taylor, every print has been personally autographed by two highly regarded RAF veterans who flew in combat during the Battle of Britain:
Wg Cdr TIM ELKINGTON
Pilot on Hurricanes with 1 Sqn / 2 victories
Flt Lt TERRY CLARK DFM AE
WOp/AG on Blenheims with 219 Sqn / 6 victories
THE COLLECTOR'S EDITION
Each print in these memorable FIVE signature editions is additionally signed by three prominent veterans who fought in the Battle of Britain:
Flt Lt ARCHIE McINNES
Pilot on Hurricanes with 610 & 238 Sqn
Flt Lt WILLIAM 'BOB' HUGHES DFC AFC
WOp/AG on Blenheims with 23 Sqn
C.A.F. JOE RODDIS
Ground Crew on Spitfires with 234 Sqn
THE VETERANS EDITION & REMARQUES
These historic TEN signature editions are additionally signed by a further FIVE highly distinguished Battle of Britain fighter pilots, including four legendary Aces:
Gp Capt TOM DALTON-MORGAN DSO DFC* OBE
Pilot on Hurricanes with 43 Sqn / 17 victories
Wg Cdr JOHN FREEBORN DFC*
Pilot on Spitfires with 74 Sqn / 17 victories
Sqn Ldr KEN 'HAWKEYE' LEE DFC
Pilot on Hurricanes with 501 Sqn / 7 victories
Wg Cdr WILFRED 'WILF' SIZER DFC*
Pilot on Hurricanes with 213 Sqn / 10 victories
Sqn Ldr MICHAEL WAINWRIGHT AFC
Pilot on Spitfires with 64 Sqn / 2 victories
THE TRIBUTE EDITION
WITH AN ORIGINAL PENCIL DRAWING AND FIFTEEN SIGNATURES
With all the signatories of the Veterans Edition, each print is issued with an exquisite pencil drawing specially created for the occasion by the world's greatest aviation artist Robert Taylor. Individually signed by three Battle of Britain fighter pilots, each drawing is conservation matted to include the signatures of two legendary RAF Aces:
Plt Off NORMAN BROWN
Pilot on Spitfires with 610 Sqn
Wg Cdr CHRISTOPHER CURRANT DSO DFC CdeG
Pilot on Hurricanes with 605 Sqn / 12 victories
Wg Cdr TOM NEIL DFC* AFC
Pilot on Hurricanes with 249 Sqn / 14 victories
THE MATTED SIGNATURES
Wg Cdr GEOFFREY PAGE DSO DFC OBE
Pilot on Hurricanes with 56 Sqn / 12 victories
Gp Capt PETER TOWNSEND CVO DSO DFC
Pilot on Hurricanes with 43 Sqn / 10 victories
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THE LIMITED EDITION
US $245.00 UK £175.00
Edition Size - 200
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In Stock |
THE COLLECTORS EDITION
US $345.00 UK £245.00
Edition Size - 125
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In Stock |
THE COLLECTORS ARTIST PROOFS
US $470.00 UK £345.00
Edition Size - 25
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In Stock |
THE VETERANS EDITION
US $595.00 UK £425.00
Edition Size - 40
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In Stock |
THE REMARQUES
US $1195.00 UK £825.00
Edition Size - 15
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Sold Out |
THE DOUBLE REMARQUES (subject to availability)
US $2095.00 UK £1425.00
Edition Size - 10
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Sold Out |
THE TRIBUTE EDITION (Subject to availability)
US $3595.00 UK £2595.00
Edition Size - 5
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Sold Out |
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