Military-Art.com Home Page
Order Enquiries (UK) : 01436 820269

You currently have no items in your basket


Buy with confidence and security!
Publishing military art since 1985

Don't Miss Any Special Deals - Sign Up To Our Newsletter!
MILITARY
ART
AVIATION
ART
NAVAL
ART

Product Search         

FEATURED CURRENT OFFER - £16 LARGE SIZE CLASSIC MILITARY ART PRINTS.

ALWAYS GREAT OFFERS :
20% FURTHER PRICE REDUCTIONS ON HUNDREDS OF LIMITED EDITION ART PRINTS
BUY ONE GET ONE HALF PRICE ON THOUSANDS OF PAINTINGS AND PRINTS
FOR MORE OFFERS SIGN UP TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER

This Sceptred Isle by Robert Taylor. (AP) - Military Art

This Sceptred Isle by Robert Taylor. (AP)


Please note that our logo is used on our website images only and does not appear on our products.



This Sceptred Isle by Robert Taylor. (AP)

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 Grand Armée. 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 outcom seemed inevitable. The fate of Britain lay in the hands of less than 3,000 young airmen from Fighter Command - Churhill'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 Scpetred Isle. Impossibly outnumbered and flying daily to the point of exhaustion, by October these courageous young men had snatched victory 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. This painting pays tribute to the valiant 'Few', 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.
Item Code : DHM6577APThis Sceptred Isle by Robert Taylor. (AP) - This Edition
TYPEEDITION DETAILSSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSYOUR PRICEPURCHASING
ARTIST
PROOF
Collectors edition of 25 artist proofs.

Paper size 24.5 inches x 18.5 inches (63cm x 47cm) Image size 19 inches x 13 inches (48cm x 33cm) Elkington, John (signed in person)
Clark, Terry (signed in person)
McInnes, Archibald (signed in person)
Hughes, William Robert Bob (signed in person)
Roddis, Joe (signed in person)
+ Artist : Robert Taylor


Signature(s) value alone : £135
£40 Off!Now : £345.00

Quantity:
SPECIAL OFFER : ADD A CLIPPED SIGNATURE TO THE ABOVE PRINT AT A VERY SPECIAL RATE!

Add Signature :
Ralph Roberts.
for £40.00
Buy One Get One Half Price


Add Signature :
Neville Duke.
for £65.00
Buy One Get One Half Price


Add Signature :
Tony Iveson.
for £35.00
Buy One Get One Half Price


Add Signature :
Mike Donnet.
for £35.00
Buy One Get One Half Price

All prices on our website are displayed in British Pounds Sterling



Other editions of this item : This Sceptred Isle by Robert Taylor.DHM6577
TYPEEDITION DETAILSSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSYOUR PRICEPURCHASING
PRINTSigned limited edition of 200 prints. Paper size 24.5 inches x 18.5 inches (63cm x 47cm) Image size 19 inches x 13 inches (48cm x 33cm) Elkington, John (signed in person)
Clark, Terry (signed in person)
+ Artist : Robert Taylor


Signature(s) value alone : £80
£40 Off!Now : £175.00VIEW EDITION...
PRINTCollectors edition of 125 prints. Paper size 24.5 inches x 18.5 inches (63cm x 47cm) Image size 19 inches x 13 inches (48cm x 33cm) Elkington, John (signed in person)
Clark, Terry (signed in person)
McInnes, Archibald (signed in person)
Hughes, William Robert Bob (signed in person)
Roddis, Joe (signed in person)
+ Artist : Robert Taylor


Signature(s) value alone : £135
£40 Off!Now : £245.00VIEW EDITION...
PRINTVeterans edition of 40 prints. Paper size 24.5 inches x 18.5 inches (63cm x 47cm) Image size 19 inches x 13 inches (48cm x 33cm) Elkington, John (signed in person)
Clark, Terry (signed in person)
McInnes, Archibald (signed in person)
Hughes, William Robert Bob (signed in person)
Roddis, Joe (signed in person)
Morgan, Tom Dalton (signed in person)
Freeborn, John (signed in person)
Lee, Kenneth (signed in person)
Sizer, Wilfred M (signed in person)
Wainwright, Michael Terry (signed in person)
+ Artist : Robert Taylor


Signature(s) value alone : £405
£40 Off!Now : £425.00VIEW EDITION...
PRESENTATIONTribute edition of 5 prints.

SOLD OUT.
Paper size 24.5 inches x 18.5 inches (63cm x 47cm) Image size 19 inches x 13 inches (48cm x 33cm) Elkington, John (signed in person)
Clark, Terry (signed in person)
McInnes, Archibald (signed in person)
Hughes, William Robert Bob (signed in person)
Roddis, Joe (signed in person)
Morgan, Tom Dalton (signed in person)
Freeborn, John (signed in person)
Lee, Kenneth (signed in person)
Sizer, Wilfred M (signed in person)
Wainwright, Michael Terry (signed in person)
Brown, Norman (companion print)
Currant, Christopher (companion print)
Neil, Tom (companion print)
Page, Geoffrey (matted on companion print)
Townsend, Peter (matted on companion print)
+ Artist : Robert Taylor


Signature(s) value alone : £725
SOLD
OUT
VIEW EDITION...
General descriptions of types of editions :



Signatures on this item
*The value given for each signature has been calculated by us based on the historical significance and rarity of the signature. Values of many pilot signatures have risen in recent years and will likely continue to rise as they become more and more rare.
NameInfo


Chief Fitter Joe Roddis (deceased)
*Signature Value : £10

A crew chief fitter in the RAF from 1939 to 1945 and worked on Spitfires all this time, during the Battle of Britain he was Bob Doe's fitter and was also involved in the Normandy campaign working on numerous forward bases during 1944 and 45. He stayed in the RAF post war and in the early 50s was posted to 617 Sqn on Canberras and saw action in Malaya conflict. He died on 17th April 2017.


The signature of Flight Lieutenant Terry Clark (deceased)

Flight Lieutenant Terry Clark (deceased)
*Signature Value : £40

Terry Clark was born in Croyden on 11th April 1919. Terry Clark joined 615 RAuxAF in March 1938 in Kenley, as an Aircrafthand. Called up in 1939, he joined 615 Squadron, Auxiliary Air force, and flew as a gunner in Hawker Hectors before he qualified as an Air Gunner and also a Radio Observer. He joined No.219 Sqn at Catterick in July 1940 and flew on Beaufighters throughout the Battle of Britain. By September 1940, the conflict had reached its zenith and at night the feared Blitz began in earnest. More radar specialists were needed to deal with the threat so Mr Clark was sent to Beaufighters. He did not receive any training and still wore the AG brevet, but people began to ask why a plane without a gun turret had an air gunner on board, so he was given a badge that said RO. Eventually, in recognition of his new role, Mr Clark was awarded his third flying badge – N for Navigator. His job was to track enemy aircraft and guide the pilot towards the selected contact. It was while flying the Beaufighter that he was awarded the DFM on 8th July 1941 after assisting his pilot to down three aircraft at night. He joined 1455 Flight in 1941, forming at Tangmere with Turbinlite Havocs, then flew the same aircraft with 1451 Flight at Hunsdon, locating enemy aircraft by Radar in the Havoc for accompanying fighters to attack and destroy. Commissioned in May 1942 from Warrant Officer and in May 1943 he was posted to No.488 Sqn RNZAF. He died on 7th May 2020.


Flight Lieutenant William Robert Bob Hughes DFC AE (deceased)
*Signature Value : £25

Bob Hughes joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve in May 1939 and became an air gunner taking the wireless & gunnery courses as a WOp/AG, and was posted to 5 OTU Aston Down on 20th July to convert to Bristol Blenheims. On 17th August 1940 he joined 23 Squadron at Wittering. During the Battle of Britain he took part in night-fighter Operations. After the Battle of Britain he completed 2 operational tours on bombers with 149 Squadron at Mildenhall, in Wellington Bombers. On 11th March 1941, he went to the Middle East via Malta with 148 Squadron, based at Luqa, and then posted on to Egypt with 70 Squadron at Kabrit. In 1942 he returned to the UK and joined 12 Squadron at Binbrook. Commissioned from Warrant Officer in November 1942. Later on 12th March 1943 he received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He died on 3rd December 2018 aged 97.


Flt Lt Archibald McInnes (deceased)
*Signature Value : £20

Commissioned as a Pilot in 1940 with 601 Sqn and later moved to 238 Sqn, completing his service with this Squadron. Archie flew Hurricanes with 601 Squadron at Exeter before moving to 238 Squadron at Chilbolton. He was later stationed in Malta, after travelling on board HMS Victorious during the hunt for the Bismarck. He lost his left arm after being shot down in North Africa, and after recovering he returned to active service with 691 Squadron at Roborough. Archibald McInnes passed away on Wednesday 31 July 2019 after celebrating his 100th birthday.


The signature of Wing Commander John Elkington (deceased)

Wing Commander John Elkington (deceased)
*Signature Value : £40

John (Tim) Elkington was born in 1920 and joined the RAF in September 1939. Commissioned as a Pilot Officer in July 1940 he was immediately posted to join 1 Squadron flying Hurricanes atTangmere. On 15 August he shot down an Me109 over the Channel, but the following day he was himself shot down over Thorney Island. He baled out injured and was admitted to hospital, his Hurricane crashing at Chidham. He died on 1st February 2019.
Artist Details : Robert Taylor
Click here for a full list of all artwork by Robert Taylor


Robert Taylor

The name Robert Taylor has been synonymous with aviation art over a quarter of a century. His paintings of aircraft, more than those of any other artist, have helped popularise a genre which at the start of this remarkable artist's career had little recognition in the world of fine art. When he burst upon the scene in the mid-1970s his vibrant, expansive approach to the subject was a revelation. His paintings immediately caught the imagination of enthusiasts and collectors alike . He became an instant success. As a boy, Robert seemed always to have a pencil in his hand. Aware of his natural gift from an early age, he never considered a career beyond art, and with unwavering focus, set out to achieve his goal. Leaving school at fifteen, he has never worked outside the world of art. After two years at the Bath School of Art he landed a job as an apprentice picture framer with an art gallery in Bath, the city where Robert has lived and worked all his life. Already competent with water-colours the young apprentice took every opportunity to study the works of other artists and, after trying his hand at oils, quickly determined he could paint to the same standard as much of the art it was his job to frame. Soon the gallery was selling his paintings, and the owner, recognising Roberts talent, promoted him to the busy picture-restoring department. Here, he repaired and restored all manner of paintings and drawings, the expertise he developed becoming the foundation of his career as a professional artist. Picture restoration is an exacting skill, requiring the ability to emulate the techniques of other painters so as to render the damaged area of the work undetectable. After a decade of diligent application, Robert became one of the most capable picture restorers outside London. Today he attributes his versatility to the years he spent painstakingly working on the paintings of others artists. After fifteen years at the gallery, by chance he was introduced to Pat Barnard, whose military publishing business happened also to be located in the city of Bath. When offered the chance to become a full-time painter, Robert leapt at the opportunity. Within a few months of becoming a professional artist, he saw his first works in print. Roberts early career was devoted to maritime paintings, and he achieved early success with his prints of naval subjects, one of his admirers being Lord Louis Mountbatten. He exhibited successfully at the Royal Society of Marine Artists in London and soon his popularity attracted the attention of the media. Following a major feature on his work in a leading national daily newspaper he was invited to appear in a BBC Television programme. This led to a string of commissions for the Fleet Air Arm Museum who, understandably, wanted aircraft in their maritime paintings. It was the start of Roberts career as an aviation artist. Fascinated since childhood by the big, powerful machines that man has invented, switching from one type of hardware to another has never troubled him. Being an artist of the old school, Robert tackled the subject of painting aircraft with the same gusto as with his large, action-packed maritime pictures - big compositions supported by powerful and dramatic skies, painted on large canvases. It was a formula new to the aviation art genre, at the time not used to such sweeping canvases, but one that came naturally to an artist whose approach appeared to have origins in an earlier classical period. Roberts aviation paintings are instantly recognisable. He somehow manages to convey all the technical detail of aviation in a traditional and painterly style, reminiscent of the Old Masters. With uncanny ability, he is able to recreate scenes from the past with a carefully rehearsed realism that few other artists ever manage to achieve. This is partly due to his prodigious research but also his attention to detail: Not for him shiny new factory-fresh aircraft looking like museum specimens. His trade mark, flying machines that are battle-scarred, worse for wear, with dings down the fuselage, chips and dents along the leading edges of wings, oil stains trailing from engine cowlings, paintwork faded with dust and grime; his planes are real! Roberts aviation works have drawn crowds in the international arena since the early 1980s. He has exhibited throughout the US and Canada, Australia, Japan and in Europe. His one-man exhibition at the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC was hailed as the most popular art exhibition ever held there. His paintings hang in many of the worlds great aviation museums, adorn boardrooms, offices and homes, and his limited edition prints are avidly collected all around the world. A family man with strong Christian values, Robert devotes most of what little spare time he has to his home life. Married to Mary for thirty five years, they have five children, all now grown up. Neither fame nor fortune has turned his head. He is the same easy-going, gentle character he was when setting out on his painting career all those years ago, but now with a confidence that comes with the knowledge that he has mastered his profession.

More about Robert Taylor

Contact Details
Shipping Info
Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy
Privacy Policy

Join us on Facebook!

Sign Up To Our Newsletter!

Stay up to date with all our latest offers, deals and events as well as new releases and exclusive subscriber content!

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

Follow us on Twitter!

Return to Home Page