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New aviation, naval and military
signed limited edition by the best military, aviation and naval artists
around including Simon Smith, Ivan Berryman, David Pentland, Anthony
Saunders and Graeme Lothian. aviation art prints include, The Dambusters,
Memphis belle, Hurricanes and spitfire art prints
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The Dambusters by Simon Smith.
On the night of 16/17th May 1943,under a full moon, 19 specially modified Lancaster bombers from 617 Squadron carried out one of the most daring and effective air raids of the Second World War. Led by wing commander Guy Gibson the 19 aircraft took off and headed for Germany at extreme low level.. Their mission, code named Operation Chastise, was to destroy the Ruhr dams which supplied water and electricity to the industrial heart of Reich. Each aircraft carried the ingenious Upkeep mine, developed by the engineer Barnes Wallis. Shaped like a large oil drum, the bomb was spun prior to release at exactly 60ft above the water and 150 yards from the dam wall. This caused the weapon to bounce across water and on impact would also make it stay close to the wall of the dam as it sank. The bomb, technically a mine, was fitted with a hydrostatic fuse similar to a depth charge causing detonation at the required depth.The correct height above the water was achieved by aligning the beams of two spotlights to meet on the surface of the water. Delivering such a weapon on target at night at such low altitude and under enemy fire was thought by many to be impossible. The nineteen pilots,some as young as eighteen had been hand picked by Gibson only two months before and formed into 617 squadron whose first mission was to remain top secret and unknown to them up until the last moment. The Mohne Dam was attacked first and several attempts were made under heavy fire with one lancaster being shot down as it flew over the target.Guy Gibson then attempted to draw fire away from the attacking aircraft by switching on his navigation lights and flying to one side of Mick Martins aircraft ,the scene depicted in Simon Smiths painting.Just as another aircraft was about to go in,excited shouts came over the intercom - its gone! The main target achieved, Gibson led the remaining aircraft on to the Eder Dam deep amongst the mountains of the Eder valley. Here, although no flak defenses, the terrain made the approach extremely hazardous. Two bombs were released yet still the target remained unbreached leaving only one last aircraft ,that of Les Knights to attack. A steep descent from a thousand feet then a dive over a spit of land left very little time to line up and release the bomb.Worse still there was a huge mountain on the far side of the dam! Added to this Edward Johnson the bomb aimer recalled that the spinning bomb had an alarming gyroscopic effect on the handling of the aircraft,so it was with superb flying and teamwork that their bomb struck and finally destroyed the massive stonework of the Eder Dam. Gibsons leadership and bravery led to the award of the VC and many other decorations were bestowed upon the other crews.The squadron however paid a heavy price with 8 lancasters being lost.
Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm). Price £125.00 Signed by five crew,
Edward C Johnson - bomb aime (deceased)r,
Ray Grayston - Flight Engineer (deceased),
Frederick Sutherland - RCAF Rear Gunner,
George Chalmers (deceased)
and
George Johnson
Limited edition of artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm). Price £225.00 Signed by five crew,
Edward C Johnson - bomb aimer (deceased),
Ray Grayston - Flight Engineer (deceased),
Frederick Sutherland - RCAF Rear Gunner,
George Chalmers (deceased)
and
George Johnson
ITEM CODE DHM1460
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The Veteran by Simon Smith.
Our Gal Sal, a veteran of over a hundred ops, returning to base in the summer of 1944. The peace of the English country side is broken by the thunder of the mighty four engined bombers and keen observers will spot the rabbit scampering along the country lane as the Forts of the Bloody 100th circle the Airbase. With one engine feathered and showing signs of the gauntlet of Flak and fighters she has had to come through, the crew know they are only moments away from the safety of home.
Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 23 inches x 17 inches (58cm x 43cm). Price £70.00 Signed by Colonel Bob Morgan (deceased)
Limited edition of artist proofs. Image size 23 inches x 17 inches (58cm x 43cm). Price £155.00 Signed by Colonel Bob Morgan (deceased)
ITEM CODE DHM1461
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Return From Combat by Simon Smith.
Two 85 squadron Hurricanes returning to base after a battle over the skies of southern England in the summer of 1940.
Drake Signature edition of 100 prints from the signed limited edition of 850. Image size 20 inches x 15 inches (51cm x 38cm). Price £95.00 Signed by Group Captain Billy Drake DSO DFC* (deceased).
Limited edition of artist proofs. Image size 20 inches x 15 inches (51cm x 38cm). Price £140.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant Alex Thom DFC.
Thorogood Presentation Edition of 4 Artist Proofs, supplied double mounted. Image size 20 inches x 15 inches (51cm x 38cm). Price £260.00 Features the mounted original signature of Squadron Leader Laurence Thorogood DFC AE (deceased).
Alex Thom DFC signature edition of 100 prints from the signed limited edition of 1150 prints. Image size 20 inches x 15 inches (51cm x 38cm). Price £90.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant Alex Thom DFC.
ITEM CODE DHM1462
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Return From Bremen by Simon Smith.
The leading ace of the mighty Eighth Air Force, Gabby Gabreski. He finished the war with a total of 28 air victories and 2 1/2 enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground by strafing airfields. Gabreski also scored 6 1/2 air victories in the Korean war.
Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm). Price £70.00 Signed by Colonel Gabby Gabreski (deceased)
Limited edition of artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm). Price £160.00 Signed by Colonel Gabby Gabreski (deceased)
ITEM CODE DHM1463
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Little Friends by Simon Smith.
The aircraft in the foreground bears the name Alabama Rammer Jammer, the personal mount of 2/Lt Arthur Cundy ,352nd FS, 353rd FG. The 353rds yellow and black chequered nose bands were one of the most distinctive recognition features of all the Eighths fighter groups.
Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm). Price £90.00
Limited edition of artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm). Price £125.00
Blakeslee Presentation Edition of 5 Artist Proofs, supplied double matted. Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm). Price £300.00 Features the mounted original signature of Colonel Don Blakeslee (deceased).
**Signed limited edition of 500 prints. (One copy reduced to clear) Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm). Price £50.00
ITEM CODE DHM1464
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The Shining Sword by Simon Smith.
RAF Avro Lancaster flies low over occupied Europe.
Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Less than 60 copies remain.. Price £80.00 Signed by Victoria Cross winner Bill Reid (deceased).
Limited edition of artist proofs. Image size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm) Less than 10 copies remain.. Price £180.00 Signed by Victoria Cross winner Bill Reid (deceased).
ITEM CODE DHM1466
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