|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Military-Art.com  Ivan Berryman Aviation Art Royal Air Force  Mosquito |
[UP] - Spitfire - Hurricane - Mosquito - Beaufighter - Walrus - Lancaster - Halifax - Wellington - Stirling - Red Arrows - Royal Air Force Print List |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Text for the above items : |
Knockout Blow by Ivan Berryman. Banff Mosquito H of 404 Squadron flown on its first operational mission by Flying Officer A Catrano and Flight Lieutenant A E Foord spots a German Blohm and Voss Bv138 anchored off Kjevik. They attacked the Bv138 which blew up before going on to attack a Heinkel He115 floatplane which was in the vicinity. This drawing shows the Mosquito making its attack on the Heinkel as the Bv138 explodes in the distance. |
Breakout. Amiens Raid by Mosquitos by Ivan Berryman. When De Havilland built the prototype DH.98 Mosquito (E-0234) they did so as an act of the purest faith in their design since the Air Ministry had already dismissed the companys proposal for their all-wood aircraft as impractical and unworkable. However, when E-0234 first flew on 25th November 1940, it demonstrated remarkably smooth handling characteristics and its speed, as expected, was outstanding. Here at last was a bomber which, in a straight line, could outfly even the Spitfire, giving rise to such nicknames as Wooden Wonder and, succicntly The Aeroplane. With such an aircraft, it was soon realised, many new possibilities were laid open to the RAF, among them the chance to initiate precision raids whereupon carefully selected isolated targets could be attacked with pinpoint accuracy. Just such a raid took place on 18th February 1944, involving 18 Mosquitoes of Nos 64 and 487 Squadrons in an operation on the jail at Amiens, France, where a large number of the French Resistance were being held for questioning by the Gestapo. It was thought unlikely that any of them would survive their ordeal at the hands of their inquisitors and it was considered more sensible to try to aid their escape by breaching the prison walls, even if it meant that some of the prisoners might be killed in the process. An accurate model of the jail and the nearby town was constructed and each pilot viewed the model from eye level to familiarise themselves with the view that they would get from a planned height of 50 feet. With this knowledge and some carefully selected reference points such as church spires and chimneys, the Mosquitoes, led by Group Captain Charles Pickard, were able to brush over the rooftops of the town and deliver their bombs with incredible accuracy, breaching the prison walls in four places. 258 prisoners escaped in the ensuing chaos and were quickly spirited away by other Resistance groups who were waiting outside. Sadly, a number of French prisoners were killed in the raid and added to the losses of that day was Group Captain Pickard himself who fell victim to marauding Focke Wulf 190s, but the raid had been a tremendous success and further precision attacks using the most superb Mosquito were carried out throughout 1944 and 1945, each one making its own significant contribution to the downward turn in the fortunes of Hitlers Reich. |
Charlie Safely Off by Ivan Berryman. Mosquito HP926 SB-C Charlie of No.464 Sqn RAAF gets airborne from Hunsdon on 28th February 1944. The crew, Flying Officer David Avery RNZAF and Warrant Officer Leslie Brodie RAAF are shown embarking on what would be an eventful 'Noball' mission over France. The aircraft was damaged by flak with sections of the tailplane and rudder shot away, but with remarkable skill, Flying Officer Avery wrestled the aircraft back across the Channel. The doomed Mosquito was aimed back towards the sea before the crew took to their parachutes near Chichester, and it crashed harmlessly. |
Aces All - Tribute to the Pilots and Crews of 23 Sqn, Malta, 1943 by Ivan Berryman. Arriving on the island of Malta in the final days of 1942, the De Havilland Mosquitoes of 23 Sqn were soon in action defending the skies around this strategically crucial island and carrying out intruder missions against ground targets as far away as southern Italy. Three of 23 Sqn's FB.VIs are depicted here: HJ675 (V), piloted by Fl Lt P W Rabone (9 victories), DD687 (E), flown by Sqn Ldr N J 'Jackie' Starr (5 victories) and DZ230 (A), the aircraft of Wing Commander Peter Wykeham-Barnes (14 + 3 shared). |
In the Lap of the Gods by Ivan Berryman. As part of Operation Noball on 28th February 1944, De Havilland Mosquito FB MkVI HP926 was severely damaged by flak over northern France, the explosion ripping away sections of the tailplane and rudder. Using all his skills and experience, F/O David Avery managed to wrestle the crippled aircraft back across the English Channel before he and his Navigator W/O Leslie Brodie baled out over southern England, having turned the aircraft back toward the sea, where it crashed harmlessly. |
Destination Amiens by Ivan Berryman. When De Havilland built the prototype DH.98 Mosquito (E-0234) they did so as an act of the purest faith in their design since the Air Ministry had already dismissed the companys proposal for their all-wood aircraft as impractical and unworkable. However, when E-0234 first flew on 25th November 1940, it demonstrated remarkably smooth handling characteristics and its speed, as expected, was outstanding. Here at last was a bomber which, in a straight line, could outfly even the Spitfire, giving rise to such nicknames as Wooden Wonder and, succicntly The Aeroplane. With such an aircraft, it was soon realised, many new possibilities were laid open to the RAF, among them the chance to initiate precision raids whereupon carefully selected isolated targets could be attacked with pinpoint accuracy. Just such a raid took place on 18th February 1944, involving 18 Mosquitoes of Nos 64 and 487 Squadrons in an operation on the jail at Amiens, France, where a large number of the French Resistance were being held for questioning by the Gestapo. It was thought unlikely that any of them would survive their ordeal at the hands of their inquisitors and it was considered more sensible to try to aid their escape by breaching the prison walls, even if it meant that some of the prisoners might be killed in the process. An accurate model of the jail and the nearby town was constructed and each pilot viewed the model from eye level to familiarise themselves with the view that they would get from a planned height of 50 feet. With this knowledge and some carefully selected reference points such as church spires and chimneys, the Mosquitoes, led by Group Captain Charles Pickard, were able to brush over the rooftops of the town and deliver their bombs with incredible accuracy, breaching the prison walls in four places. 258 prisoners escaped in the ensuing chaos and were quickly spirited away by other Resistance groups who were waiting outside. Sadly, a number of French prisoners were killed in the raid and added to the losses of that day was Group Captain Pickard himself who fell victim to marauding Focke Wulf 190s, but the raid had been a tremendous success and further precision attacks using the most superb Mosquito were carried out throughout 1944 and 1945, each one making its own significant contribution to the downward turn in the fortunes of Hitlers Reich. |
Night Raiders by Ivan Berryman. A pair of de Havilland Mosquito NF. MkII night fighters of 23 Squadron, based at Bradwell Bay, Essex in 1942. |
Shining the Way (Mosquito) by Ivan Berryman. One of the artists most haunting paintings, a Mosquito B.IX of the Light Night Striking Force, PFF, banks away from the target zone having released a cluster of green Christmas tree marker flares to light the way for the second wave of approaching bombers. Frought with enormous difficulties and dangers, perhaps the most surprising aspect of the PFF is that it was made up almost entirely of volunteers and was widely regarded as the elite within Bomber Command. A fact made even more staggering by the slim chances of any aircrew completing the sixty sorties tour of operations that was asked of them. Nevertheless, the PFF was never short of volunteers and their dedication and courage is celebrated in this stunning print. |
Never Say Die by Ivan Berryman. (PC) What must surely be one of WWII's most extraordinary acts of bravery occurred on the night of 16th/17th January 1945 when F/L T A Smith and F/O A C Cockayne were on an ASH patrol over Stendal. Flying Mosquito FB.VI RS507 (YP-C) of No.23 Sqn, they inadvertently stumbled upon the German airfield of Fassberg on their return trip, fully lit up with aircraft taxiing. Taking full advantage of this situation, F/L Smith went straight in to attack, destroying one Bf.109 on the taxiway and another two as they attempted to take off. RS507 received ground fire hits to its starboard engine during the chase down the runway, Smith feathering the prop, but continuing to press home his attack. Knowing that there was no way of saving their aircraft, Cockayne was ordered to bale out, but sadly lost his life in the attempt. F/L Smith fought gallantly to bring his Mosquito down into snow with minimum damage, but the aircraft hit trees before striking the frozen ground and a furious fire broke out, Smith trapped in the wreckage. Against all the odds, he survived the crash, albeit with terrible burns, and saw out the war as a prisoner of the Germans. |
A Moment's Peace by Ivan Berryman. A de Havilland Mosquito patrols high above the clouds. This versatile all-wooden aircraft first flew on the 25th of November 1940. This aircraft was used in a wide variety of roles, including as a fighter-bomber and as a Pathfinder for bombers. |
Prowler's Return by Ivan Berryman. Rocket rails empty, Mosquito FB.VI RS619 (LA-F) of 235 Sqn races home low and fast after another successful anti-shipping strike in the Fjords of Norway. On a subsequent mission on 5th April 1945, this aircraft crash-landed in Denmark after suffering a glycol leak. Its crew, Ray Harrington and Bert Winwood, managed to get back home to the UK with the help of the Danish Resistance. |
Photo Reconnaissance Mosquito by Ivan Berryman. One of the most versatile British aircraft of the second world war, the Mosquito was employed in many roles during the war, including as seen here, in photo reconnaissance. |
The Mosquito's Sting by Ivan Berryman. Banff Mosquito H of 404 Squadron flown on its first operational mission by Flying Officer A Catrano and Flight Lieutenant A E Foord spots a German Blohm and Voss Bv138 anchored off Kjevik. They attacked the Bv138 which blew up before going on to attack a Heinkel He115 floatplane which was in the vicinity. This drawing shows the Mosquito beginning its attack on the Bv138. |
Day Ranger to Grove by Ivan Berryman. (PC) On 26th September 1944, F/O George Stewart, and his navigator F/O Paul Beaudet flew a Day Ranger with fellow 23 Squadron Pilot F/O D.L,'Bud' Badley, and his navigator Sgt A A Wilson, to Grove Aerodrome in Denmark, in their FB.VI Mosquito fighter bombers. Arriving abruptly over their target, George spotted a Ju.88 sitting by the perimeter track and at once strafed with his four 20mm cannons. He is flying YP-T (HR 201), and Bud, YP-Z (HR 216), seen in the background. Their sudden appearance and departure drew no return fire and, as they raced back to the coast, George couldn't resist a departing shot at a Freya Radar tower, but got hit by a .303 round in his instrument panel as he flew overhead. Bud, however, received numerous hits on his pass, losing one engine, plus rudder, elevator control and R/T. In a superb display of airmanship, at zero feet, Bud regained control and flew back home to land safely at the emergency airstrip at Woodbridge. George, having plunged into low cloud and therefore lost sight of Bud, was unable to raise him on the R/T and flew on to Little Snoring. George and Paul were awarded DFCs, following their extended operational tour, and Bud an 'Immediate' DFC, by W/C 'Sticky' Murphy DSO and Bar, DFC and Bar, Croixe de Guerre and Palm, Commanding Officer of 23 Squadron, RAF. |
The Attack on Kleykamp Villa by Ivan Berryman. Just before 15.00 on 11th April 1944, six de Havilland Mosquito FB.VIs of 613 Sqn led by Wing Comander Robert Bateson successfully destroyed the Gestapo records office housed inside Kleykamp Villa in The Hague. Flying at rooftop height and using the tower of the famous Peace Palace as a sighting reference, the first wave of Mosquitoes dropped their high explosive bombs to 'open up' the building, whilst the second wave hit it again with incendiaries to burn all the records. Incredibly, no one outside the building was hurt and no other buildings were damaged, save for some broken windows caused by the blast. All six aircraft returned home safely. |
A De Havilland Beauty by Ivan Berryman. A Mosquito Mk.BIX above the clouds in late 1943. Mosquito B.IX LR503 holds the record for the most combat missions flown by a single Allied bomber in the Second World War, serving 213 sorties. |
Home Again by Ivan Berryman. A pair of No.105 Sqn Mosquitos return over the English Channel in the early dawn light. |
The Jericho Boys by Ivan Berryman. On 18th February 1944, nineteen De Havilland Mosquito Mk.VIs and one photo-reconnaissance aircraft took off on a mission to attempt to free 120 French patriots being held captive by the Nazis in the prison at Amiens. Codenamed Operation Jericho, the attack on the jail was to be carried out in up to three waves - the first to break the prison walls in two places, the second to bomb the main building and a third standing by, should either of the first two fail. The mission was a complete success despite some losses on the ground and two aircraft destroyed. Here, the iconic moment is captured as a pair of Mosquitoes of 487 Sqn are seen breaching the wall at 12.03 hours. |
Tribute to George Parry by Ivan Berryman. George Parry joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve before the Second World War broke out, joining No.110 Sqn flying Blenheims as his first post once war was declared. He completed this tour and after a year in a training squadron, joined No.105 Sqn flying the Mosquito. Parry led the successful mission to attack the Gestapo HQ in Oslo, and completed his tour with No.105 Sqn in 1943. He took up various roles in Bomber Command and training squadrons until leaving the RAF in 1947. He is depicted here in Mosquito Mk.IV GB-G of No.105 Sqn in June 1942, against the backdrop of sunlit cloud tops. He went on to become an engineer, retiring in 1979 - he had been awarded the Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross and was a Member of the British Empire. George Parry died in 1999. |
Tribute to 488 Sqn RNZAF by Ivan Berryman. Immediately following the Allied invasion of northern France in June 1944, 488 Sqn RNZAF found themselves in the thick of the fighting, keeping enemy intruders at bay, flying mainly at night, a role to which their young pilots aspired and excelled. Among those was Flt Lt G E 'Jamie' Jameson who, together with his navigator Norman Crookes, shot down no fewer than eight enemy aircraft in Mosquito NF.XIII MM466, this particular machine becoming the most successful Mosquito of WWII in terms of aerial victories. Jameson was to be credited with a final total of eleven victories before being repatriated home. |
Shell House Raiders by Ivan Berryman. Tucked in tight en route to Copenhagen, a wave of Mosquito FB VIs of 21 Sqn and their Mustang Mk.III escorts of 126 Sqn (including top Ace Agorastos John Plagis - 16 victories, on his last mission of the war) approach the Jutland Peninsula after a bumpy crossing of the North Sea on the morning of 21st March 1945. The Mosquitoes went on to carry out one of the most daring and successful raids of the Second World War on the German Gestapo headquarters in the centre of Copenhagen, inflicting irreparable damage to the Shellhus and killing more than 150 Gestapo personnel. |
|
Contact Details |
|
Sign Up To Our Newsletter!
This website is owned by Cranston Fine Arts. Torwood House, Torwoodhill Road, Rhu, Helensburgh, Scotland, G848LE Contact: Tel: (+44) (0) 1436 820269. Email: cranstonorders -at- outlook.com |
 |
