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British Aviation Prints

WW1 British Aviation Prints

On the night of September 2nd-3rd 1916. Lieutenant William Leefe Robinson, of the Worcester Regiment and Royal Flying Corps, attacked an enemy airship under circumstances of great difficulty and danger, and sent it crashing to the ground as a flaming wreck at Cuffley, near Enfield. He had been in the air for more than two hours, and had previously attacked another airship during his flight. For this act of most conspicuous bravery he was deservedly rewarded with the VC. Lieutenant W L Robinson Attacks an Enemy Airship and Brings it Down in Flames by W Avis (P)Click For DetailsANT0131
On April 26th 1915, 2nd Lieutenant William Barnard Rhodes-Moorhouse, of the Special Reserve, Royal Flying Corps, set out from the British lines for the purpose of raiding the railway at Courtrai. On reaching the place he planed down to a height of 300 ft, and, under heavy shell fire, bombed the railway near the station. As he started on his return journey he received a mortal wound, but with great pluck and determination kept control of his aeroplane. He flew back, at a very low altitude, a distance of 35 miles to his starting point, and reported the success of his undertaking. He subsequently died of his wounds, but for his most conspicuous bravery a posthumous award of the VC was made. Lieutenant Rhodes-Moorhouse Flying Over Courtrai to Bomb the Railway by Allen Stewart.Click For DetailsANT0140
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5.a D3540. The Artful Dodger was the personal aircraft of Wing Commander G.H. Lewis DFC and the aircraft in which he claimed four of his twelve victories. Aircraft History: The third S.E.5 produced (A4563) became, in effect, the prototype S.E.5a with a 200hp Hispano Suiza power plant and shorter span wings. The S.E.5.a went to No56, No.40 and No.60 squadrons from June 1917, and by the end of the year Nos 24, 41, 68 and 84 squadron had taken them on charge. After troubles with the reduction gear of the Hispano Suiza together with a general shortage of these power plants, the direct drive Wolseley Viper became the standard S.E.5a power unit. The S.E.5.a built a fine reputation for strength, performance and general flying quality, which together with the Sopwith Camel was the main reason for the Allies gaining and maintaining air superiority during 1918. Some aircraft were fitted with four 25lb (11kg) Cooper bombs on under fuselage racks. The S.E.5.a also service in the Middle East and several home defence units in 1918. At the end of World War I over 2,000 S.E.5.a aircraft were in service with the RAF. The type had served with 24 British, 2 US and 1 Australian Squadrons. After its demob 50 of these aircraft were supplied to Australia, 12 to Canada with several more to other countries including South Africa, Poland and the United States of America. 50 came onto the British register and were used for developing the art of sky-writing. The S.E.5.a will always remain one of aviations great warplanes. <br><br>Wing Commander Gwilym H. Lewis, DFC: Born 5th August, 1897, Gwilym Lewis qualified for his aviators certificate number 2116 on 27th November 1915. He was posted to France with 32 Squadron at he age of eighteen flying the DH2 single seater scout aircraft. Later after a period as an instructor he was posted as a flight commander to 40 squadron flying the famous S.E.5.a. By the end of the First World War, Gwilym Lewis had amassed a personal tally of 12 enemy aircraft destroyed and had been awarded the DFC. After leaving the RAF he went into insurance working for Lloyds Insurance Brokers, Sedgwick, Collins & Company Ltd. Shortly before the outbreak of World War II, he rejoined the RAF and became a member of Winston Churchills Joint Planning Staff in the underground Central War Room. After World War II, he resumed his successful career in insurance and retired in 1974.SE5 Aircraft side view by M A Kinnear.Click For DetailsAP0003
To commemorate Shuttleworths Golden Jubilee in 1994. A Spitfire leads a Hawker Hind and a Gloster Gladiator in formation over Old Warden. The Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden aerodrome is recognised as one of the finest private collections of vintage aircraft in the world. Many of the exhibits have direct connections with the all too short but lively career of Richard Ormonde Shuttleworth himself, and all the aircraft are flown regularly - from the frail and endearing Bristol Boxkite to what is regarded as the most genuine Spitfire flying today. Here, this Spitfire leads a Vic-3 formation of the Collections Hawker Hind and Gloster Gladiator over Old Warden during a typical flying display to Commemorate Shuttleworths Golden Jubilee in 1994.Shuttleworth Salute by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0017
Major James McCudden is pictured in his 56 Sqn S.E.5a B519 on a patrol during August 1917. In this month alone, he shot down four Albatross DVs. His final tally of victories totalled a remarkable 57 before he was killed in a flying accident in 1918. McCudden, VC by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0157
Captain William Avery Bishop - Nieuport 17. Captain William Avery Bishop by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0225
CCP0064. British Ace Albert Ball c.1917 by Chris Collingwood. British Ace Albert Ball c.1917 by Chris Collingwood.Click For DetailsCCP0064
CCP0065. Observer / Gunner, Royal Flying Corps 1917 by Chris Collingwood. Observer / Gunner, Royal Flying Corps 1917 by Chris Collingwood.Click For DetailsCCP0065
One of the best known Aces of the first world war. Albert Ball Portrait by Darren Baker. (P)Click For DetailsDBAK0042
The scene depicts an encounter between Manfred Von Richthoffen, leader of the Jasta II squadron and a patrol of Sopwith Camels. This particular battle above France took place only weeks before Richthoffen was killed as can be seen from the Balken Kreuz insignia which replaced the iron cross on German aircraft after a directive dated March 1918. Manfred Von Richthoffen (The Red Baron) by Tim Fisher.Click For DetailsDHM0417
This aircraft entered service with the RFC in February 1915. Nicknamed the gunbus, it was the first British aircraft to be designed as a fighting machine from the start. The plane was armed with a single .303 inch Lewis machine gun, fired by the observer. It was only a short period of time before it was outclassed by German aircraft carrying synchronised forward firing machine guns. Vickers Gunbus FB5 by Tim Fisher.Click For DetailsDHM0418
Sopwith Camel with 65 Squadron, on routine patrol, meet head-on with the unmistakable Albatross fighters of the German air force. The Sky Warriors by Anthony Saunders.Click For DetailsDHM0435
Historic RNAS bombing raid on the German Zepperlin base at Cuxhaven, on Christmas day 1914. Christmas Surprise by David Pentland.Click For DetailsDHM0779
210 Squadron RAF 1918. Homeward Bound - Sopwith Camel by David Pentland.Click For DetailsDHM1190
139 Squadron RAF in North Italy, December 1917 Christmas Hunt - Bristol Fighter F2B by David Pentland.Click For DetailsDHM1192
High above the trenches in April 1918, 74 Squadron engage the famed JG 1 led by the renowned ace baron von Richthofen in his distinctive bright red DR 1. Edward Mick mannock flying a SE5.a diving down top engage another Fokker Dr1 as the red baron flies past momentarily catching each others eyes. The new CO of 74 squadron, major Grid Caldwell MC (bar) New Zealands top ace can be seen above entering the dog fight. But it would be Mannock who would go on to great fame. with 61 confirmed victories and to win the VC, DSO (bar) and MC (bar) After 74 squadron he replaced Billy Bishop of CO 85 Squadron on the 3rd July 1918, scoring 46 victories in the Se5.a He was killed by ground fire near Lestram, France on the 26th July 1918. his Victoria Cross being gazetted on the 18th July 1919. The red baron CO of the Richthofens Flying circus didnt survive the month, also killed by ground fire on the 24th April, he was buried by the Allies with full military honours. Dawn Dog Fight, Mick Mannock VC by Graeme Lothian.Click For DetailsDHM1296
Handley Page 0/400s are attacked by German Albatross fighters as they return home from a raid during 1918. Difficult Journey Home by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1429
A German Albatross D-III sees off a Bristol Fighter among the clouds over the Western Front, early in 1917. The D-III was a massive improvement over the monoplanes of the time, possessing greater manoeuvrability, a higher ceiling and synchronized guns. Many German aces thought this the best fighter of the First World War. One in the Bag by Ivan BerrymanClick For DetailsDHM1455
The air battle that took place above the trenches of France on the evening of 23rd September 1917 was to go down in history as one of the most extraordinary dogfights ever. The young German ace Werner Voss found himself engaged with no fewer than eleven SE5s of 56 Sqn, among them British aces such as James McCudden and Arthur Rhys Davids. Hugely outnumbered, the brave Voss saw off several British aircraft with his amazing airmanship and accuracy of fire. Again and again he could have fled the scene due to his Triplanes superior rate of climb, but his attacks were insistent and deadly. His final moments came when Rhys Davids found himself on the tail of Voss and fired both his Lewis and Vickers guns into the little turqoise Triplane which was seen to drift toward the ground, his aircraft inverting before impact, killing Voss instantly. The painting shows Voss distinctive pre-production Fokker F. 1, with the yellow nose of Jasta 10, being pursued by the SE5 of Rhys Davids while, high above,a Spad is helping to keep a gaggle of Albatross DVs at bay. Last Dogfight of Werner Voss by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1458
The De Havilland 2 was designed in 1915, and first used by No.24 squadron RFC and used by three RFC Squadrons in France until June 1917. A Victoria Cross was won in a De Havilland 2 by Major Lionel Rees, commanding officer of 32 Squadron. D.H.2 versus Fokker by Michael Turner.Click For DetailsDHM1469
Sopwith Camels of 45 Sqn, Istrana, are shown on an early patrol on a crisp morning in the Winter of 1917-18. B6238 was an aircraft shared by Lts E McN Hand and H M Moody, whilst B6354 was the mount of Lt J C B Firth. A Hand of Aces by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1509
Credited with no fewer than 80 victories, Manfred Von Richthofen, The Red Baron, became legendary, not least for the 17 kills scored whilst flying the diminutive Fokker DR1 Triplane. Contrary to popular belief, however, only one of his aircraft is known to have been painted all red. Serial no. 477/17 is shown here dicing with an SE5. Seeing Red by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1518
Bathed in the low winter sun over southern England, Gotha G.V.s are attacked by defending Sopwith Camels as the German bombers penetrate the south-eastern counties en route to London. This was, effectively, the first Battle of Britain, staged during the winter of 1917/18, during which the intruders were frequently repelled, their bomb loads falling harmlessly on English soil. Gotha G. V. by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1542
A Bristol Fighter attempted to intercept a single giant Zeppelin Staaken R.IV bomber as it approached the heart of the capital. The Brisfit failed to stop the raider and R-39, with Hauptmann Richard Bentivegni, (commander of 501 Squadron) aboard, flew on unhindered to its target. Shadow Over London, England, 28th January 1918 by David Pentland.Click For DetailsDHM1544
Albert Ball in his Nieuport 17 having just shot down a German LVG. His aircraft, A134, was distinctive in having a bright red spinner. He was the first Royal Flying Corps pilot to score a hat-trick (3 kills on a single mission) and, in the course of his career, scored another two on his way to his outstanding 44 victories. Albert Ball by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1557
Lieutenant Leefe-Robinsons BE2C, converted to single-seater night-fighter configuration, destroying the German SL11 over Hertfordshire on the night of 2/3 September, 1916. Robinson attacked the SL11 from below, raking it with incendiary fire, before turning and diving past the airship for another attack. As he did so, the airship exploded into flames and crashed into a field near Cuffley, killing all sixteen crew. For this action, Leefe-Robinson was awarded the VC. William Leefe-Robinson by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1559
Major Lanoe G Hawkers Bristol Scout C 1611, the No 6 Sqn aircraft in which he shot down two enemy planes on 25th July, 1915, and sufficiently damaged a third enemy aircraft to force it to the ground. He is shown here in combat with an Albatross C.III - soon to fall as one of his victims that day. Lanoe G Hawker earned the first aerial Victoria Cross (VC) of the war for this action, but was killed in November 1916, after a lengthy battle with the infamous Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen, becoming his 11th victim. Lanoe G Hawker by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1567
On Christmas Day at 0745 hours, Maj.Barker and Lt Steve Hudson of No.28 Squadron, staged an unauthorized raid on the German aerodrome at San Fior, even dropping a holiday greeting - To the Austrian Flying Corps, with Christmas greetings from the RFC, along with liberal machine gun fire and twenty-pound Cooper bombs. Christmas Greetings from the RFC, North Italy, 25th December 1917 by David Pentland.Click For DetailsDHM1569
SE5As of B Flight, 56 Sqn led by James McCudden in the aircraft numbered B519, on patrol over the Western Front in 1917. James McCudden by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1572
Flying Sopwith Snipe E8102 on 27th October 1918, Major William Barker encountered a flight of fifteen Fokker D.VIIs and decided to take them on single handed. Having downed one enemy aircraft, Barker was wounded in his left thigh and momentarily fainted. Coming to, he found another D.VII ahead of him and immediately resumed the battle. Another bullet now tore into his right leg and another shattered his left elbow. Despite his terrible injuries, Barker shot down three D.VIIs and drove the others off before crash landing his bullet-riddled Snipe in friendly territory. He survived the crash and was awarded the VC for his gallantry on this epic flight. Major William Barker VC, DSO - Nearly an Ace in a Day by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1574
Raymond Collishaw is shown heading B-Flight of No.10 Naval Squadron in 1917, comprised of five Sopwith Triplanes that became known as the Black Flight – all flown with great success by Canadian pilots. Collishaws aircraft was named Black Maria, Reids was Black Roger and Sharmans was Black Death, while Nash and Alexander flew Black Sheep and Black Prince respectively. Collishaws personal tally at the end of the war was 60 victories. Lieutenant-Colonel Raymond Collishaw by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1582
Formidable commander of Jasta Boelcke, Karl Bolle, breaks off the attack on a 73 Sqn Sopwith Camel as its fuel tank begins to ignite - another undeniable victory in a career which saw him take an eventual 36 confirmed kills. The yellow band on the fuselage paid homage to his former unit, flanked by the black and white Prussian stripes Bolles Fokker DR.1 also sported an Oigee telescopic gunsight mounted between the guns. he survived two World Wars and died in Berlin in 1955. Rittmeister Karl Bolle by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1586
On the evening of 7th May 1917, a fierce battle took place involving aircraft of Jasta 11 and 56 Sqn RFC, the former led by the brother of the Red Baron, Lothar von Richthofen. As the sun dipped beneath the heavy clouds, most expected the dogfight to break off in the fading light, but an extraordinary duel between the RFCs Captain Albert Ball and Lothar von Richthofen broke out, the two aircraft flying directly at each other, firing continuously, then turning and repeating the manoeuvre. Lothars all red Albatross was damaged, but landed safely. Albert Balls SE5, however, was seen by observers to fall through the heavy cloudbase inverted, before crashing heavily, fatally wounding Ball. Oberleutnant Lothar Freiherr von Richthofen by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1587
Victory No 26 for Josef Mai was a 64 Squadron SE5.A on 5th September 1918, here falling victim to the guns of the aces zebra-striped Fokker D.VII 4598/18 of Jasta 5. By the end of the war, his total had risen to 30 aircraft destroyed, Mai himself collecting a number of decorations, among them the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class. Surviving the Great War, it is believed that he became a flying instructor for the Luftwaffe during World War II, finally being laid to rest in 1982, aged ninety four. Leutnant Josef Mai by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1589
The Bristol F.2b (or Bristol Fighter, as it was more popularly known) first entered service with the RFC in March 1917 and quickly established itself as a useful and reliable fighting machine in the capable hands of the crews who quickly exploited its many attributes. The teamwork between pilot and gunner / observer yielded many success stories, both in the roles of air combat and ground attack. Here, Captain W E Staton has a stab at a Fokker DR.1 during an intense battle in April 1918 in the skies above France, whilst his pilot, Lieutenant John R Gordon keeps their 62 Squadron machine out of harms way. The combination of Gordon and Staton scored a total of 9 confirmed victories, 1 shared destroyed and 5 out of control. Deadly Partnership - Captain W E Staton and Lieutenant John R Gordon, Bristol F.2b by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1596
The vulnerability of early air gunners is evident in this painting as this Royal Aircraft Establishment FE 2 comes under attack from a Fokker E.III early in World War 1. Archaic in appearance, compared to their German rivals, the FE2 was nevertheless heavily armed with three Lewis guns arranged to cover almost every angle, one of them fixed in a forward firing position for the pilot to operate. Tribute to the Air Gunners - Royal Aircraft Establishment FE2 by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1599
Undoubtedly one of the truly great Aces of the First World War, William Billy Bishop became celebrated for his technique of actively seeking out the enemy and bringing the fight to him, rather than the more usual practice of patrolling in search of enemy activity. An example of this was his single-handed attack on a German airfield in June 1917 when he destroyed not only a number of aircraft on the ground, but then successfully despatched another seven Albatross scouts that took off to engage him. For this action, he was awarded the Victoria Cross in August 1917 and his final tally when the war ended was 72 confirmed victories. He is depicted here in his Nieuport Scout B1566 in combat with a Pfalz D.III. Captain William Billy Bishop by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1608
Of similar configuration, but usually outclassed by its British contemporary, the Bristol F2b, the Luft-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft LVG was essentially a strong and stable observation aircraft that served widely during World War 1. On 21st May 1917, this example became the victim of the guns of Sergeant John H Jones, contributing to his eventual tally of 15 victories. Here, his pilot that day, Captain W G Mostyn, has already had a squirt using his forward-firing Vickers gun before manoeuvring their 22 Sqn machine into position for Jones to finish the job with his twin Lewis guns. Sergeant John H Jones and pilot Captain W G Mostyn, Bristol F2b Fighter claiming a Luft-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft LVG by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1622
An early star of Jasta 1, von Keudell is depicted here in his Halberstadt D.III, (instantly identifiable by his initial K on the fuselage side) as he drifts into position to exploit the blindspot of a Vickers Gunbus, late in the day in 1916. Von Keudells closing tally was 11 confirmed victories, but a possible 12. Leutnant Hans von Keudell by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1637
Despite having sight in just one eye, Major Edward Mick Mannock was to become one of the most decorated and celebrated aces of World War 1, bringing down an official 61 enemy aircraft in just eighteen months before himself being brought down in flames by enemy ground fire. He was reluctant to add shared kills to his tally, so his actual total of victories is recorded at 73. His decorations include the VC, DSO and 2 Bars, MC and Bar and he is depicted here diving on enemy aircraft in SE5a D278 of 74 Sqn in April, 1918. Major Edward Mannock by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1638
With his personal emblem of black and white fuselage band adorning his Fokker E.V, 153/18, Richard Wenzl briefly commanded Jasta 6, based at Bernes in August 1918, and claimed a modest 6 victories during his career with JG 1. The Fokker E.V was both fast and manoeuvrable, but a series of engine and structural failures meant that these exciting new machines saw only brief service before being re-worked to emerge as the D.VIII, sadly too late to make any impression on the war. Wenzl is shown here in combat with Sopwith Camels of 203 Sqn, assisted by Fokker D.VIIs, which served alongside the E.Vs of Jasta 6. The D.VII shown is that of Ltn d R Erich Just of Jasta 11, also based at Bernes. Leutnant d R Richard Wenzl by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1644
Mystery still surrounds just why Manfred von Richthofen risked so much in chasing the novice pilot Wilfred Wop May into Allied-occupied territory on the morning of Sunday, 21st April 1918, but it was to be his last flight, this error of judgement costing him his life. Von Richthofen had broken from the main fight involving Sopwith Camels of 209 Sqn to chase Mays aircraft, but found himself under attack from the Camel of Captain Roy Brown. All three aircraft turned and weaved low along the Somme River, the all red Triplane coming under intense fire from the ground as well as from Browns aircraft. No one knows exactly who fired the crucial bullet, but Manfred von Richthofens aircraft was seen to dive suddenly and impact with the ground. The Red Baron was dead and his amazing run of 80 victories was over. The painting shows Mays aircraft (D3326) in the extreme distance, pursued by DR.1 (425/17) and Browns Camel (B7270) in the foreground. Captain Roy Brown engages the Red Baron, 21st April 1918 by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1646
The Royal Aircraft Factory RE.8 (Reconnaissance Experimental 8), or Harry Tate as its crews affectionately called it, was used throughout the Great War to good effect, but was something of an anachronism when pitted against the more modern machines of the Jastas. However, Lieutenants Rothes Pithey and Rhodes scored a credible 10 victories together, sending down three Pfalz D.IIIs on a single mission on 7th June 1918 flying F6097. Lieutenant Croye Rothes Pithey and Lieutenant Hervey Rhodes, RE.8 by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1650
A veteran of over 150 missions flying the DH.4, Captain Euan Dickson was credited with an impressive 14 victories during his service with both the RNAS and RAF. After the war, Dickson returned to New Zealand where he continued to fly, pioneering mail routes and becoming the first man to fly across Cook Strait in 1920. His 205 Squadron DH.4 is shown here as Observer / Gunner V Robinson rakes an attacking Pfalz D.III on 3rd May, 1918, sending it spiraling to the ground out of control. Captain Euan Dickson and AGL V Robinson, DH.4 by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1651
The Sopwith Camel was with the mainstay of the Royal Flying Corps. It is shown here downing an Albatros over the Western Front. Sopwith Camel by Anthony Saunders.Click For DetailsDHM1654
No one will ever know exactly what caused Max Immelmanns demise, but what is known is that his propeller was seen to disintegrate, which caused a series violent oscillations that ripped the Fokker E.III apart, the tail breaking away before the wings folded back, trapping the young German ace in his cockpit. The popular belief is that his interrupter gear malfunctioned, causing him to shoot away part of his own propeller, but British reports attribute Immelmanns loss to the gunnery of Cpl J H Waller from the nose of FE.2b 6346 flown by 2Lt G R McCubbin on Sunday, 18th June 1916. Immelmann was flying the spare E.III 246/16 as his own E.IV had been badly shot up earlier that day. Immelmanns Last Flight by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1660
The highest scoring Sopwith Camel ace of World War 1, Donald MacLaren was born in Ottawa, Canada, in 1893. Joining the Royal Flying Corps in 1917 as a trainee pilot, it was only the following March that he claimed his first victory, a Hannover C-Type whilst posted to 46 Squadron. His kill rate was quite formidable for, in this the final year of the war, he was to claim no fewer than 54 confirmed victories. Indeed, in the period from 15th September to 2nd October, he claimed eight Fokker D.VIIs – a remarkable feat against Germanys most potent fighter. He is pictured here attacking a D.VII in Camel F2137 U of 46 Sqn. MacLaren survived the war and died in 1989. Donald MacLaren by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1661
During a patrol on 6th July 1918, Christiansen spotted a British submarine on the surface of the Thames Estuary. He immediately turned and put his Hansa-Brandenburg W.29 floatplane into an attacking dive, raking the submarine C.25 with machine gun fire, killing the captain and five other crewmen. This victory was added to his personal tally, bringing his score to 13 kills by the end of the war, even though the submarine managed to limp back to safety. Christiansen survived the war and went on to work as a pilot for the Dornier company, notably flying the giant Dornier Do.X on its inaugural flight to New York in 1930. He died in 1972, aged 93. Kapitanleutnant zur See Friedrich Christiansen by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1672
A sketch of one of the most famous WW1 Aces, Albert Ball. Initial drawing for a forthcoming major oil painting. Ł550.Albert Ball by Darren Baker. (P)Click For DetailsDHM1676
Having spotted smoke on the horizon, Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty ordered that a floatplane be immediately launched from HMS Engadine to investigate. Without delay, Short 184 (serial No 8359) was airborne, but had to maintain a modest altitude due to the low cloud base. Flight Lieutenant Frederick Rutland (who would forevermore be known as Rutland of Jutland) and his observer G.S. Trewin, quickly spotted the German fleet, but found their radio transmissions to be jammed and, upon encountering engine problems, were forced to return to their tender where they were able to file their report. Sadly, an increasing swell made a further flight impossible and their report failed to be relayed to the British Fleet who continued their engagement with the Germans without the benefit of aerial reconnaissance. Flight Lieutenant Rutland and Assistant Paymaster Trewin Locate the German Fleet at Jutland, 31st May, 1916 by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1679
On the morning of 30th November 1917, Lieutenant Andrew McKeever, a Canadian serving with 11 Squadron RFC, together with his observer/gunner Lieutenant Leslie Powell, climbed into their Bristol F2b Fighter and took off alone; their task to fly a solo reconnaissance patrol over Cambrai, where the decisive battle involving tanks for the first time in history was raging on the ground below - it was to prove a remarkable day. As they flew over the enemys lines they encountered a pair of German two seater observer aircraft, protected by no fewer than seven enemy Albatross DV scouts. Armed with a forward firing .303 Vickers machine gun and a ring mounted Lewis gun in the back seat, McKeever skilfully manoeuvred his aircraft to engage one of the enemy scouts, and destroyed it. As he turned to get back to the Allied lines, five of the remaining enemy Albatross fighters dived on his tail, but Lt Powell rapidly downed two of them in quick succession with deadly fire from his Lewis gun. Continuing the duel with the remaining Germans, McKeever managed to destroy a further Albatross when suddenly his observers Lewis gun jammed. The pair seemed doomed, however McKeever, showing great courage and initiative, feigned disaster by rolling his aircraft over, plummeting it towards the ground. Fooled by the manoeuvre, the German aircraft climbed away, and McKeever levelled out just twenty feet above the ground and flew back to safety. Remarkably, all of McKeevers thirty one victories were achieved at the controls of the Bristol F2b Fighter, making him the highest scoring ace with 11 Squadron, and of any pilot flying two seater aircraft during the First World War. The Biff Boys by Robert Taylor.Click For DetailsDHM1681
With a final 47 victories to his credit, Robert Alexander Little was one of the highest-scoring British aces of World War 1, beginning his career with the famous No 8 (Naval) Squadron in 1916, flying Sopwith Pup N5182, as shown here. On 21st April 1917, he was attacked and shot down by six aircraft of Jasta Boelke, Little being thrown from the cockpit of his Sopwith Camel on impact with the ground. As the German aircraft swooped in to rake the wreckage with machine gun fire, Little pulled his Webley from its holster and began returning fire before being assisted by British infantry with their Lewis guns. Such was the character of this great pilot who finally met his death whilst attacking Gotha bombers on the night of 27th May 1918. Captain Robert Little by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1683
Albert Ball was the first Royal Flying Corps pilot to score a hat-trick (3 kills on a single mission) and, in the course of his career, scored another two on his way to his outstanding 44 victories. Albert Ball VC by Darren Baker.Click For DetailsDHM1687
From 1915 to 1917, there existed a very real threat of a bombing campaign on mainland Britain as the giant German airships drifted silently and menacingly across the English Channel and the North Sea to deliver their deadly cargo on the towns and cities of the east coast. Countermeasures were soon put into action as powerful searchlights picked out the Zeppelins for the anti-aircraft batteries and RFC pilots to pour their unrelenting fire into the raiders, sometimes with little effect, sometimes with catastrophic results. Here, 2nd Lieutenant Brandons BE.2 climbs for position, its exhaust pipes aglow in the dark, whilst flak bursts all around the massive bulk of the L.33 as she passes over the east end of London on the night of 23 / 24th September 1916. A Zeppelin over London by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1698
Droning over the coast en route to another night attack on mainland Britain, the Zeppelins top gun platform goes into action as BE.2 fighters wheel around the gas-filled giants, trying desperately to fire their Brock, Pomeroy and Sparklet ammunition into the volatile gasbags that lay beneath the Zeppelins skin. Often freezing cold, always vulnerable, the defensive gunners occupied a tiny, sunken recess on the very top of the airship, shielded from the buffeting winds only by a shallow screen and their thick leather flying suits. Just a handrail and a shallow step lay between them and a vertiginous drop over the rolling sides of their massive craft. Their air-cooled Parabellum MG.14 machine guns did little to repulse their attackers, whilst the great Zeppelins offered themselves as huge, bloated targets for ground artillery as well as the brave pilots of the RFC. Zeppelin Gunners by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1699
The exploits of the partnership of McKeever and Powell in their 11 Squadron Bristol F.2B made them perhaps the most celebrated of all the Bristol Fighter crews, McKeever himself becoming the highest scoring exponent of this classic type with a closing tally of 31 victories. Powell was to secure a further 19 kills before both were withdrawn from front line service to Home Establishment in January 1918. Whilst on a lone patrol above enemy lines in November 1917, their aircraft (A7288) was attacked by two German two-seaters and seven Albatross scouts, four of which were sent to the ground through a combination of superb airmanship and outstanding gunnery. The remaining German aircraft continued to give chase until the F.2B was down to less than 20ft above the British trenches, at which point the Germans broke off their attack and fled. Captain Andrew McKeever and 2nd Lieutenant Leslie Powell by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1702
By British standards, the colour schemes of many Felixstowe flying boats were unusually garish during the closing months of World War 1, but there was a simple logic to this choice of livery: A downed aircraft would be easily visible in a dark sea and even when in combat with its German counterparts, it could be easily identified, both by friendly aircraft and by ships below. F.3 N4258 sported this red and white chequerboard pattern, whilst others wore stripes or zig-zags, this example being based at Felixstowe Naval Air Station in the late Summer of 1918. Felixstowe F.3 by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1703
The LFG Roland D.VI did not enjoy the success of its contemporaries, the Fokker D.VII and Pfalz D.XII, but was nonetheless a potent and capable fighter. Its unique Klinkerrumpf fuselage construction made it both lightweight and robust although, despite its qualities, it was not built in large numbers. This particular example, a D.VIa, is shown chasing down a damaged Sopwith Camel whilst being flown by Gefreiter Jakob Tischner of Jasta 35b. Tischner later wrote off this aircraft in a landing accident when he rolled into a parked Pfalz D.III, destroying both machines. Gefreiter Jakob Tischner - Roland D.VIa by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1727
For so large a machine, production of the Handley Page 0/400 was considerable with over 400 examples being delivered by the time of the Armistice in 1918. Its first missions were carried out during April of that year, operating both during daylight and by night. Here, three machines are being readied for a sortie. As final checks are completed on the nearest aircraft, some last minute engine maintenance is being carried out on a similar machine in the middle distance. The furthest example is being towed, with its vast wings folded, to the dispersal. Handley Page 0/400s by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1728
The potential value of aircraft at sea had been proven as early as the Battle of Jutland in 1916 and many experiments were undertaken to provide all significant warships with their own aircraft for spotting and reconnaissance purposes. One solution widely adopted was the fitting of flying-off platforms to the main guns, as demonstrated here, as a Sopwith 1˝ strutter is launched from HMS Warspite in 1919. Sopwith 1 ˝ Strutter by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1737
Australian by birth and serving with the New Zealand army in the middle east at the outbreak of World War 1, Arthur Coningham joined the RFC in 1917 and was posted to 32 Squadron, flying DH.2s, as depicted here. It was in such a machine that Coningham scored the first of his 14 victories, sending down a German two seater over Ervillers. He survived the war and was made AOC Desert Air Force in 1941 before taking command of 2nd Tactical Air Force until the Second World War’s end whereupon he became Air Marshal and was awarded a knighthood. He died in January 1948. Major Arthur Coningham by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1756
On 8th October 1914, war in the air changed forever with what would become the first successful strategic bombing raid on Germany. As bad weather threatened to frustrate their mission, two little Sopwith Tabloids took off in search of the giant Zeppelin sheds at Cologne and Dusseldorf, one piloted by Squadron Commander D A Spenser Grey and the other by Flight Lieutenant Reggie Marix. Grey was beaten by poor visibility and instead chose to bomb the railway station at Cologne whilst Marix located the primary target and bombed it at once from a height of just 600ft. Almost immediately, the mighty LZ.25 that was housed inside began to burn and then blew up spectacularly, the fireball threatening to engulf Marixs Tabloid. Both Marix and Grey were awarded the Distinguished Service Order for their efforts. The age of aerial bombing had arrived. Flight Lieutenant R L G Marix by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1757
Standing just five feet two inches tall, Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor had to have his SE5a specially modified to accommodate his small stature, but the diminutive South African was a giant in the air, claiming a total of 54 victories before the end of the war, many of them observation balloons which made him one of the top balloon-busting aces of the RFC. But many aircraft fell to his guns, too, as here when on 21st August 1918 he claimed an Albatros C-Type as victory number 34 whilst flying D6856 of 84 Squadron. Captain Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1764
Arriving in France in 1917 with little or no air gunnery training behind him, Captain Arthur Harry Cobby went on to become the Australian Flying Corps highest scoring ace with 29 victories to his credit, five of them observation balloons. He is shown here in Sopwith Camel E1416 of 4 Sqn AFC (formerly 71 Sqn AFC) having downed one of his final victims, a Fokker D.VII on 4th September 1918. Cobby survived the Great War and served in the RAAF during the inter war period and World War Two, eventually leaving the service as Air Commodore CBE. He died in 1955. Captain Arthur Henry Cobby by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1783
Having successfully weaved and dodged the hail of bullets from the defensive guns of the German Zeppelin, Lieutenant Warneford climbed above the giant airship and prepared for a run along the full length of the LZ.37 in the hope that his 20lb bombs would turn it into an inferno and bring it down. Warneford had time to release all six of his bombs, the last of which set off a chain of eruptions that resulted in the Zeppelin breaking its back before plunging to earth in a fireball. So violent was the initial explosion that Warnefords tiny Morane Saulnier Type L was flipped over and thrust 200ft into the air above the disintegrating leviathan. Warneford survived this historic interception, whilst the LZ.37 plunged to the ground near Ghent and was completely destroyed. This was the first time that a Zeppelin had been brought down by an aircraft for which gallant action, Warneford was awarded the Victoria Cross. Special mention should be made of the roundels on the Type L, where the original French examples were not overpainted to British colours on the wings, unlike those on the fuselage sides. Lieutenant Reginald Warneford by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1786
One of the few rules of aerial combat that were established in the First World War was to attack, where possible, with the sun behind you, thus using the element of surprise both to appear as if from nowhere and to blind your opponent to minimise retaliation. Just such a tactic has been successfully employed here as a DH.2 rakes the tail of Staffelfuhrer Hauptmann Rudolf Kleines Kasta 3 LFG Roland C.II as it returns from a patrol in the skies above northern France in 1916. Known affectionately as The Whale, the C.II was extensively streamlined and the positioning of the cockpits and wing cut-outs afforded both the pilot and observer unequalled views in all directions. Power was supplied by a 160hp Mercedes D.III engine and armament was a 7.92mm Spandau in front of the pilot and a 7.92mm Parabellum for the observer. Out Of The Sun – LFG Roland C.II by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1788
With 39 confirmed victories to his credit, Major John Gilmour is also recognised as the joint highest scoring pilot on the Martinsyde G.100 Elephant, an unusual score given the poor performance of this aircraft in one-on-one combat. He was awarded the DSO, MC and 2 Bars during the course of his flying career and in 1917 was posted to 65 Squadron as Flight Commander flying Sopwith Camels. On 1st July 1918, he downed three Fokker D.VIIs, a Pfalz and an Albatros D.V in the space of just 45 minutes. In 1918 he was promoted to the rank of major and posted to command 28 Squadron in Italy, staying with the trusty Camel, but he did not add further to his score, although his final un-confirmed total may have been as high as 44. He is depicted here claiming his second kill on 24th September 1916 when he destroyed a Fokker E.1 whilst flying Elephant No 7284. Major John Gilmour by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1807
On the 20th of April 1918, just one day before his death, the legendary Red Baron, Mannfred von Richthofen, claimed his final victory. His famous Flying Circus was engaged in battle by Sopwith Camels of No.3 and No.201 Squadron. Claiming his 79th victory, he had shot down Major Richard Raymond-Barker earlier in the dogfight - the British pilot being killed in the resulting crash. However, it is his 80th and final victory that is depicted here. In the centre of the painting, the Sopwith Camel of David Lewis has been brought into the firing line of von Richthofen, and is about to be sent down in flames from the sky - Lewis was fortunate to survive the encounter relatively unscathed. Meanwhile the chaos of the dogfight is all around this duel, with aircraft of both sides wheeling and diving in combat. The other pilots depicted are Weiss, Bell, Riley, Steinhauser, Mohnicke, Hamilton and Wenzl. The Final Curtain by Ivan Berryman. (GL)Click For DetailsDHM1835
Nicolas Trudgians dramatic painting recreates a scene near Cambrai, Northern France on the morning of March 18, 1918. Aware of a build-up of forces for a massive German offensive, many RFC squadrons attacked the German positions at very low altitude. Responding with as many squadrons as they could muster, including Richthofens JG1 wing, there followed one of the largest dog-fights of the entire First World War. Seen in the foreground are a Fokker Triplane and an Albatros, having winged a Sopwith Camel from 54 Squadron, as another Camel, and a Bristol fighter of 11 Squadron RFC turn to engage the German fighters. Richthofens Flying Circus by Nicolas Trudgian.Click For DetailsDHM2029
After having shoot down an Albatros DV over Ypres, captain Billy Barker in his personal aircraft B6313 leads his flight of novices in loose formation back to Allied Lines. Flying West into the early evening sun against the back drop of a dramatic skyline the four Sopwith Camels head back to their base at St Omer. Patrolling the Line by Gerald Coulson.Click For DetailsDHM2216
The dramatic scene depicts an aerial dog-fight between Sopwith Camels and SE5A fighters of the Royal Flying Corps, and the bright red planes of Baron von Richthofens JG1 fighter wing. High over Northern France, the highly manoeuvrable fighters wheel and turn in the cauldron of close aerial combat, the artist bringing alive that evocative era when aerial combat first began. Knights of the Sky by Nicolas TrudgianClick For DetailsDHM2444
Lt R Sterling and 2nd Lt J Owens - while flying contact patrol these officers displayed marked gallantry and endeavour, flying at altitudes from 500 to 1,000ft for 3 hours they successfully located the enemy defence lines (Extract from the commendation for DFC) Harry Tate RE8, France, 1st October 1918 by David Pentland.Click For DetailsDP0010
The air raid on Friedeichshafen on November 21st 1914 was the most sensational incident of its kind in the early part of the war. These three British airmen started from French territory, and flying two hundred and fifty miles in the most unfavourable weather attacked Friedrichshafen, on Lake Constance, the headquarters of Count Zeppelins monsters. Squadron-Commander Briggs arrived first, but after getting his bombs home had the misfortune to be wounded and brought down by shrapnel in his petrol tank. His companions were more fortunate and returned safely. The damage to the Zeppelins sheds, repair shops, hydrogen factories and the other installations was very serious. Squadron- Commander Briggs, Flight Commander Babington And Flight Lieutenant Sippe Destroying Zeppelin Sheds At Friedrichshafen.Click For DetailsDTE0028
At 3 oclock on the morning of the 7th June 1915, flight Sub-Lieutenant R. A. J. Warneford, R.N., attacked a Zeppelin in the air, between Ghent and Brussels, at 6,000 feet. He dropped six bombs, and the airship exploded, fell to the ground, and burst for a considerable time. The force of the explosion caused the Morane monoplane to turn upside down. The pilot succeeded in returned fighting the machine, but had to make a forced landing in the enemys country. However, he was able to re-start his engine and returned safely to the aerodrome. Within twenty-four hours he was awarded the V.C., notification being conveyed to him in a telegram from His Majesty the King. Also, the French Authorities conferred upon him the Cross-of a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, in recognition of his brilliant exploit. Flight Sub-Lieutenant R. A. J. Warneford, R.N. Won The V.V. For Blowing Up A Zeppelin Between Ghent And Brussels.Click For DetailsDTE0062
On October 8 th 1914, a small squadron of aeroplane under Squadron Commander Douglas Adair Spenser Grey set out for Cologne, a distance of about two hundred miles. Arriving over the city, they flew round for sometime at a height of six hundred feet, in order to take observations as to where which they intended to try and destroy. The Germans brought their anti aircraft guns to bear upon them and subjected them to a heavy fire, but the British airmen succeeded in wrecking a great part of the Cologne military railway station. The courage and ability displayed on this occasion deserve high praise, and Squadron Commander Grey was awarded the D.S.O. Squadron-Commander Spenser Grey Flying Over Cologne.Click For DetailsDTE0146
Believing that the enemy was concentrating men for a big attack at some point on the Allied lines, Lieutenant Pretyman ascended in his aeroplane to make a reconnaissance. On looking down on the station at Don he saw a battalion forming up outside the railway buildings. Circling back over the station with shrapnel bursting all round him, he dropped a bomb on a train, completely wrecking the centre of it, as it stood ready alongside the platform. Though a German aeroplane swept down to attack him, he drove it off. Lieutenant Pretymans great gallantry, ability and initiative were afterwards rewarded with the D.S.O. Lieutenant George F. Pretyman, Of The Royal Flying Corps, Blowing Up A Train.Click For DetailsDTE0150
During the battle of Neuve Chapelle, March 10th-12th 1915, great activity was shown by the British airmen, whose plans were brilliantly conceived and executed. The weather, however, was extremely bad for flying, and it compelled the airmen to fly no higher than one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet, and thus run great risks. On the night of March 10th, one of the British aeroplanes was forced to descend near the firing line, and 2nd class Air Mechanic J. E. Prance, of the Royal Flying Corps, set to work to help in repairing it. Shells burst all round Prance and his comrade, but the two men worked with such enthusiasm that the machine was ready for flying the next morning. For his valuable services Prance was rewarded with the D.C.M. Air Mechanic Prance Assisting To Repair An Aeroplane Under Heavy Shellfire.Click For DetailsDTE0166
While piloting a biplane near Poelcapelle on June 20th 1915, Flight-Lieutenant W. H. D Acland of the Royal First Devon Yeomanry and the Royal Flying Corps was attacked by a large German biplane. At less than two hundred yards distance the British observer replied to the fire of the hostile aeroplane. He, after whom the German biplane was seen to rock; fired fifty rounds and on firing again it dived down, and then flattened its course to continue slowly and erratically to the ground. A bursting shell set alight the British biplane when returning, and the two officers were severely burned. With great courage and presence of mind, however, Lieutenant Acland brought the aeroplane safely to the ground. He was subsequently rewarded with the Military Cross, and the Order of St. George (Fourth Class) was bestowed on him by the Czar of Russia. An Aerial Duel Between a British Biplane and a Large German Biplane.Click For DetailsDTE0244
While acting as gunner on escort duty, Corporal C. H. Nott, of No. 15 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, was hit in the eye and rendered unconscious during an aerial action. On recovering his senses he at once opened fire with his gun, and succeeded in driving off the enemys aeroplane, which had pressed the attack. His machine was riddled with shot and otherwise damaged, but without his magnificent pluck all would have been lost. For his conspicuous gallantry Corporal Nott was awarded the D.C.M. An Aerial Action In Which Corporal Nott. Acting As Gunner, Drove Off A Hostile Aeroplane After Being Seriously Wounded.Click For DetailsDTE0318
While on a flying reconnaissance over Ostend, Bruges and Ghent, on July 31st 1915, Captain John Aidan Liddell of the 3rd Battalion Princess Louises Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, was severely wounded, his thigh being broken. For a moment he lost consciousness and dropped nearly three thousand feet, but by a great effort he recovered partial control, and, though in a state of collapse, succeeded in completing his course while being continually fired at. He brought the aeroplane into the British lined half an hour after being wounded. Apart from his personal injuries, the difficulties experienced by Captain Liddell in saving the machine and the observer were very great, as the control wheel and throttle control of the machine, and also one of the under carriage struts, were smashed. For his most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, Captain Liddell was awarded the V.C., but unfortunately died of his injuries. Captain Liddell Piloting His Aeroplane Down into The British Lines After Being Seriously Wounded.Click For DetailsDTE0370
On December 14th 1915, a British aeroplane, piloted by flight Sub Lieutenant Graham, engaged a German seaplane, which was flying off the Belgian coast. The British observer and gunner, Flight Sub Lieutenant Arthur Strachan Ince, R.N. proved victorious, the enemys seaplane being destroyed. For his valuable services, flight Sub Lieutenant Ince was awarded the D.S.O. The destruction of a German seaplane by Flight Sub-Lieutenant Ince off the Belgian Coast.Click For DetailsDTE0392
The enemy were soon hard on the track of Lieutenant Smylie. But, having descended at a safe distance from the burning aeroplane, Commander Davies took up Lieutenant Smylie and returned to the aeroplane. For skill and gallantry this feat of airmanship can seldom have been equalled, and Commander Davies was deservedly rewarded with the V.C. Squadron Commander Davies ascending in his aeroplane after taking flight Sub Lieutenant Smylie onboard.Click For DetailsDTE0443
Squadron Commander Richard Bell Davies, R.N., and Flight Lieutenant Richard Edmund Charles Peirse have repeatedly attacked the German submarine stations at Ostend and Zeebrugge, while being subjected to heavy and accurate fire, during which their machines have frequently been hit. On January 23rd 1915, they flew over Zeebrugge, and at the beginning of the fight Squadron Commander Davies was severely wounded by a bullet in the thigh. But having planed down to close range, the two officers discharged eight bombs upon the German submarines, which were lying alongside the mole. In spite of pain and loss of blood Squadron Commander Davies handled his machine for an hour with great skill. Both officers were awarded the D.S.O. Squadron Commander Davies and Flight Lieutenant Peirse dropping bombs on the submarine station at Zeebrugge under heavy fire.Click For DetailsDTE0444
On April 19th 1915, Lieutenant Lance George Hawker, of the Royal engineers and Royal flying Corps, succeeded in dropping bombs on a German airship shed, at Gontrode, from a height of only two hundred feet. He displayed remarkable ingenuity in making use of an occupied German captive balloon to shield him from fire whilst manoeuvring to drop the bombs. For his conspicuous gallantry he was awarded the D.S.O. and was subsequently promoted to be Captain. Lieutenant Hawker dropping bombs on a German airship shed at Gontrode.Click For DetailsDTE0479
On July 25th 1915, Captain Hawker fought an extraordinary valiant action three German aeroplanes, which were each manned by a pilot and observer, and armed with a machine gun. The first managed to escape; the second was put out of action, and compelled to descend: while the third, which was assailed at a height of ten thousand feet was not only badly damaged, but was driven to ground in the British lines, both the pilot and observer being killed. For his exceptional bravery on this occasion Captain Hawker was awarded the V.C. Captain Hawkers aerial battle with three German aeroplanes.Click For DetailsDTE0480
While making a photographic reconnaissance over the enemys lines, the aeroplane in which Second Lieutenant (temporary Lieutenant) Malcolm Henderson, of the 4th (Ross Highland) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders (Rosshire Buffs, the Duke of Albanys) Territorial Force, and Royal Flying Corps, was flying, was struck by a shell from a German anti aircraft gun. Passing through the nacelle of the machine, the shell took off Lieutenant Hendersons left leg just below the knee. In spite of this serious injury he succeeded in planing down from a height of 7,000 feet and in safely landing 3,000 yards behind the British lines. His cool and courageous action, for which he was awarded the D.S.O. saved the life of the observer. Second Lieutenant Henderson Flying down into the British lines after his left leg had been severed by a shell.Click For DetailsDTE0508
For his gallantry and ability on reconnaissance and other duties on numerous occasions, but especially on the occasion when he dropped three bombs from a height of only two hundred feet on the railway junction at Courtrai, whilst being assailed by heavy rifle fire, Second Lieutenant (temporary Captain) L. A. Strange, of the Dorsetshire Regiment and Royal Flying Corps, was awarded the M.C. Second Lieutenant Strange bombing the railway junction at Courtral.Click For DetailsDTE0523
On one occasion, as passenger on an aeroplane, Corporal J. H. Waller, of No. 25 Squadron, Royal Flying corps, dived on to an enemy biplane and shot it down. On another occasion, as passenger, he shot down a Fokker, which was also seen to crash to the ground. For his conspicuous gallantry and skill he was awarded the D.C.M. Corporal J. H. Waller Dives On To An Enemy Biplane And Shoots It Down.Click For DetailsDTE0701
On the Christmas Eve of 1914 three vessels, carrying seaplanes, left Harwich, escorted by cruisers, destroyers and submarines, for an aerial reconnaissance at Heligoland and the German North Sea ports. Seven aeroplanes were taken, and they were launched in spite of a dense fog. When the fog began to clear, the British ships found themselves pursued by two Zeppelins and several German seaplanes, as they were proceeding to the spot where they were to meet the returning airmen. The light cruisers Arethusa and Undaunted opened fire, and some 6-inch shells burst very close to the Zeppelins, which turned and made off. The seaplanes were more daring, but, though they got directly over the ships, they did not succeed in hitting them. The First Fight Between Warships And Zeppelins.Click For DetailsDTE0714
As a result of this unique expedition the British airmen while in their reconnaissance obtained much valuable information. Bombs too were dropped over Cuxhaven and the enemy warships in the mouth of the Elbe. For the important services they had rendered flight-Commander Cecil F. Kilner and Flight-Lieutenant Carles H. K. Edmonds were appointed to the Distinguished Service Order, and Chief Petty Officer Mechanics J. W. Bell and G. H. Budds received the Distinguished Service Medal. British Airmen Dropping Bombs On The Enemys Warships Anchored At The Mouth Of The Elbe.Click For DetailsDTE0717
Second Lieutenant F. Sowrey who was accompanied by Lieutenant Brandon, lost no time in challenging the first raider. There was a spirited chase after the Zeppelin by the two airmen, and a ding-dong battle ensued, in which Lieutenant Sowrey and Lieutenant Brandon manoeuvred for position. Lieutenant Sowrey had the best of luck, and making splendid use of his machine gun, he sent a few well-directed shots into the Zeppelin. He attacked a second raider. It instantly began to burn and twist, and finally crashed to earth a blazing mass. Meanwhile Lieutenant Brandon stood by in case of emergency, and later attacked another raider. For his gallant services Second Lieutenant Sowrey was awarded the D.S.O. Second Lieutenant F. Sowrey Attacks A Zeppelin Airship And Sets Fire To It.Click For DetailsDTE0725
Flying over the German lines, Lieutenant W. R. Freeman, of the Manchester Regiment and Royal Flying Corps, located the position of batteries, and conveyed the information by wireless messages from his aeroplane to the British artillery. Although the enemys bullets pierced his propeller and planes, he remained aloft for more than five hours during the day. For his gallantry, ability, and the very valuable work he performed, Lieutenant Freeman was deservedly awarded the M.C. Lieutenant W. R. Freeman Locating the Enemys Batteries And Giving Information By Wireless Messages To The British Artillery.Click For DetailsDTE0752
On one occasion Second Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) Hugh Vivian Champion de Crespigny, of the Suffolk Regiment and Royal Flying Corps, attacked five enemy aeroplanes over the enemys lines. He drove away one, and brought another to the ground badly hit. The fire of the remaining three then crippled his own machine, but after emptying one more drum at them, he brought his machine down. For his conspicuous gallantry and skill he was awarded the D.S.O. Second Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) H. V. C. De Crespigny Attacking Five enemy Aeroplanes Over The Enemys Lines.Click For DetailsDTE0763
Temporary Second Lieutenant Leslie Frederick Forbes, General List and Royal Flying Corps, has displayed conspicuous gallantry and ability in attacking hostile machines and in bombing railway lines, especially on one occasion when he descended to 350 feet order to accomplish his object. He was subsequently awarded the M.C. Temporary Second Lieutenant L. F. Forbes Descending To Within 350 Feet To Bomb The Railway.Click For DetailsDTE0797
On May 17th 1915, a Zeppelin airship raided the East Coast, and on her return journey was intercepted by eight British naval aeroplanes from Dunkirk, Flight-Commander Arthur Wellesley Bigsworth, who was piloting one of the machines, rose 200 feet above the airship and dropped a bomb which burst in her compartments, sending her home severely damaged. For his skilful and daring achievement he was promoted from Flight-Commander to Squadron-Commander. Flight Commander A. W. Bigsworth Drops A Bomb On A Zeppelin Airship, Severely Damaging It.Click For DetailsDTE0827
Captain William Douglas Stock Sanday has led over thirty-five patrols with great gallantry. On one occasion a machine of his formation was attacked, but he charged and brought down the enemy machine in flames. He had destroyed at least four enemy machines, and has been awarded the D.S.O. for his conspicuous gallantry and skill. Captain W. D. S. Sanday Brings Down An Enemy Machine In Flames.Click For DetailsDTE0828
As escort to a bombing raid, Second Lieutenant Walter Horace Buntime, of the Notts and Derby Regiment and Royal flying Corps, attacked several hostile machines, one of which fell to the ground nose first.  Later three enemy machines attacked him, his own machine being damaged and severely wounded. With great skill he managed to land in the British lines, though most of his propeller was shot away and his machine otherwise much damaged. He was awarded the M.C. for his conspicuous gallantry and skill. Second Lieutenant W. H. C. Buntine Attacking Hostile Aeroplanes, One Of Which Falls To The Ground Nose First.Click For DetailsDTE0835
Second Lieutenant (Temporary Lieutenant) A. D. Bell-Irving, of the Gordon Highlanders Special Reserve and Royal flying Corps, attacked a hostile balloon at 1,000 feet under heavy fire and brought it down in flames. On a previous occasion he brought down a hostile machine. For the gallantry and skill displayed by him he was awarded the M.C. Second Lieutenant (Temporary Lieutenant) A. D. Bell-irving Brings Down in Flames A Hostile Balloon.Click For DetailsDTE0863
Royal Flying Corps SE5As of 56 squadron engaged in air combat with flying circus Fokker Dr1s commanded by the great German ace Baron von Richthofen, France 1917. Brief Encounter by Gerald Coulson.Click For DetailsGC0524
De Havilland DH2. The End of the Chase by Robin Smith.Click For DetailsRS0009
Sopwith Pups. Pups at Play by Robin Smith.Click For DetailsRS0012
This painting was commissioned by Chris Davey, the aviation fiction author, for the cover of his latest novel Turners Defence. The image depicts Will Turner chancing upon a German Zeppelin early one morning over the coast of England. The book is the third in a series of fictional novels chronicling the life and times of a young pilot in the early years of aviation. Turners Defence by Robin Smith.Click For DetailsRS0023
RE8s of 69 Squadron being prepared for another sortie. One can only be left to imagine the contrast between the peaceful early morning scenario, and the carnage the pilot and observer could be experiencing in a couple of hours time over a foreign land. Early Morning Preparations by Robin Smith.Click For DetailsRS0046
<b>SOLD OUT. High Patrol by Robert Taylor.Click For DetailsRST0039
Flying a Sopwith Camel with RFC Squadron 208, Flight Lieutenant Henry Botterell brings down a German observation balloon near Arras, northern France, August 29, 1918. Botterell acknowledges the observer with a chivalrous salute before departing the scene. Balloon Buster by Robert Taylor.Click For DetailsRST0087
On July 2, 1900 Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin piloted his first rigid-framed, lighter-than-air ship over Lake Constance in Germany. Seventeen years later, on June 16, 1917, Zepellins latest creation, the L-48, was readied at Nordholz, Germany for its first combat mission. The huge L-48 was one of the newest and most technically advanced German airships. Powered by five 250 HP Maybach engines, the great airship could carry 6,000 pounds in bombs, and was manned by a crew of nineteen. For this maiden mission the commodore of the North Sea Airship Division, Victor Schutze, would be joining the L-48s skipper Kapitain-lieutenant Franz George Eichler. Early in the afternoon the L-48 commenced its mission along with several other airships from the Nordholz base. The great Zeppelin would cruise at 60 MPH at 5,000 to 10,000 feet and would ascend to approximately 20,000 feet when approaching its target. This altitude would provide an effective defense against both anti-aircraft or British fighters. RAF Captain Robert Saundby, had returned from the front, to be put in charge of a very small RFC squadron at Oxford Ness. June 16 was a cloudless night, perfect for a Zeppelin attack., and at 11:15 PM Saundby launched his two active aircraft equipped with incendiary machine gun bullets. As he gazed up at the stars at 1:00 AM Saundby was startled to see a huge zeppelin outlined by searchlights only a few miles away. Awakening two of his mechanics, Saundby instructed them to fire up his single-seat DH2 fighter. Although obsolete and not equipped for night fighting, Saundby, who had never flown at night, got the little pusher-propeller fighter in the air, and began a long ascent. After fifteen minutes of flying Saundby spotted the L-48, which was by now attracting anti-aircraft fire which was exploding several thousand feet below the great airships altitude. For an hour or so, Saundby tried to coax every bit of altitude out of his little DH2, but he could not get in range. At around 3:00AM the L-48 completed its bombing runs, and the Captain set a due north course. With dawn only an hour away, Captain Eichler was anxious to get out of British airspace. A report from an observation airship which had accompanied the strike force that evening indicated favorable winds at 13,000 feet. Captain Eichler gave the orders to descend. Meanwhile, Captain Saundby who had fought the cold and wind while tailing the L-48 for nearly three hours, was startled to see the great airship descending. Pushing his DH2 to the limit, Saundby emptied 8 canisters of incendiaries at the L-48. Recognizing the attack the L-48 dumped ballast, and immediately began to ascend. Saundbys last few round met their target and the L-48 erupted. Saundby felt the surge of heat and light, and struggled to keep his little craft under control. Within minutes the L-48s maiden mission was over, as Saundby circled the 750 foot long fireball which had come down at Westford. Amazingly, two of the L-48s crewmembers survived, the only people to ever survive a zeppelin which had been ignited. One of these survivors, Kapitanlieuntenant Meith wrote a letter describing the L-48s fateful misssion, providing much of the historical basis for this incident. Moonlight Renegade by Stan Stokes.Click For DetailsSTK0003
Thomas Sopwith was a distinguished British aviator who organized the Sopwith Aviation Company. Sopwith produced an aircraft which won the coveted Schneider Trophy race. With the start of WW I, Sopwith Aviation shifted its focus to military aircraft, and was to become one the major suppliers to both the Royal Air Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. In October of 1914 two Sopwith Tabloids flew a 200-mile round trip strike against the airship sheds at Dusseldorf and Cologne. The Sopwith Strutter firmly entrenched Sopwith as a producer of quality-built aircraft. The Strutter was a precursor of the Sopwith Pup, which would serve as the Royal Navys first carrier aircraft. The first production Pup was delivered to the Royal Navy in 1916. Most Pups were powered by a 80-HP Le Rhone radial engine, which gave the Pup a top speed of 115-MPH and an endurance of three hours. Many Navy Pups were modified to utilize a tripod mounted Lewis gun which could be fired forward or upwards through a cutout in the upper wing. Sopwith Pups were also utilized on battlecruisers. In fact, a Pup launched from the HMS Yarmouth downed the Zeppelin L.23 in August of 1917. The Royal Navys HMS Furious was the first dedicated aircraft carrier in the world. The Furious was initially laid down as a battlecruiser, but the design was modified during construction to include a flying deck forward of the main bridge. This configuration allowed aircraft to be launched as the Furious steamed into the wind. An attempt at recovery by having aircraft side slip on to the deck proved ineffective with one of the early attempts resulting in the death of the pilot, Squadron Commander E. H. Dunning, who had made the worlds first successful carrier landing on a ship underway only days earllier. The Royal Navy decided to further modify the Furious by adding a second deck aft of the bridge. The fore and aft decks were connected by a narrow ramp on either side of the funnel and bridge, and this permitted aircraft to be to moved between the two decks. Sets of longitudinal wires were set across the aft deck, and were designed to catch the skids of the Sopwith Pups during landings. Recovering aircraft was still tricky, and a rope barrier was erected aft of the mainmast to prevent aircraft which overshot from crashing into the superstructure of the ship. The first carrier-based naval air strike in history was carried out against the Zeppelin hangars at Tondern by the Furious on July 19, 1918. Seven Sopwith Camels, each carrying two 50-pound bombs were utilized for this mission. This important moment in the history of naval aviation is captured magnificently in Stan Stokes highly detailed painting entitled Fast and Furious. Fast and Furious by Stan Stokes.Click For DetailsSTK0005
William Avery Bishop, the top scoring RFC ace of WW I, was born in Ontario Canada on February 8, 1894. He entered the Royal Military College in 1911 and after War broke out in Europe he was assigned to the 14th Battalion of the Canadian Mounted Rifles. Bishop applied for a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps in 1915. Following a few months of training he was made an observer and was sent to France to fly with No. 21 squadron. He was hospitalized for frostbite and later from injuries sustained in a bad landing. In late 1916 he began pilot training and in March of 1917 Bishop was posted to No. 60 squadron flying Nieuport Scouts. On March 25 he experienced his first air combat, downing an Albatros single-seater. Bishop scored thirteen victories during Bloody April, and another seven-and-a-half in May. He was awarded the DSO at this point. In early June Bishop attacked a German airfield at dawn, and shot down three Albatros aircraft taking off to challenge him. For this fete he received the Victoria Cross. In constant combat during the summer months, Bishops score rose to 45 by mid-August. He was the first to exceed the record of the famous British Ace, Albert Ball. During this period Bishop often flew as many as seven-eight hours each day. He was aggressive in the air and obviously possessed excellent flying instincts and marksmanship skills. Eleven of these 45 victories were achieved in the SE-5 with which No. 60 squadron had been re-equipped. Promoted to Major, Bishop returned to Canada for a recruiting tour. In 1918 he returned to England, first as the Chief Instructor at Aerial Gunnery School, and later as the Commander of No. 85 squadron. Once again Bishop was at his best in the air. Flying SE-5s, Bishop claimed 27 more victories during this final combat tour, including four Pfalz D.IIIs. Bishop received the DFC, and returned to the Air Ministry in England for a short time before returning to Canada in August of 1918. There he played an important role in the formation of the new Canadian Air Force. Bishops official victory total of 72, the highest for any RFC flyer in WW I, approached the official total of von Richtofen who had 80. Some historians have disputed Bishops score, indicating that he received credit for a number of victories when he was flying alone. Following the War, Bishop formed a commercial aviation company with another ace W.G. Barker. He later served with the RCAF during WW II as an Air Marshal responsible for training. Billy Bishop passed away in 1956 at the age of seventy. In Stan Stokes nostalgic painting the top RFC ace is depicted early in his career flying his Nieuport against a German Albatros. Boom Boom Billy by Stan Stokes.Click For DetailsSTK0012
Born in Prussia to wealthy aristocratic parents, Manfred Freherr von Richtofen, The Red Baron, was to become the top ace of World War I, with 80 confirmed kills, and probably another 40-50 which took place over enemy lines and could not be confirmed. Richtofen was originally a cavalry officer, but with great persistence he was transferred to the air arm. After a brief period on the eastern front Richtofen was transferred to the western front in August 1915. His first confirmed victory was recorded in September 1916 and by November he recorded eleven kills, including Major Lance Hawker, the top British fighter pilot. With his keen reflexes and eyesight he quickly ascended, and by June 1917 Richtofen took control of a unit near Coutrai. This unit became known as Richtofens Circus. By July the ringmaster had his fifty-seventh victim. Despite his successes Richtofen shunned publicity and became increasingly withdrawn. Richtofen was wounded in combat and spent three weeks in the hospital recuperating. After his return to duty Manfred became a vocal proponent of the Fokker triplane. The bright red paint scheme utilized on one of Richtofens aircraft is what earned him the nick-name, The Red Baron. Richtofens brother, Lothar, was also an ace with forty victories to his credit. By April of 1918, aided by Americas entry into the War, Germany was facing overwhelming numbers of enemy aircraft, and many with performance capabilities the equal to, and in some cases superior to, their own. The Germans mounted a final desperate offensive, and on April 21,1918 The Red Baron finally fell victim to the perils of combat. Although there is considerable controversy over the Red Barons demise, it appears that Richtofen was either killed by Captain Arthur Brown, a Canadian flying with the RAF, or was shot down by Australian machine gunners while evading Captain Brown. Richtofen was provided a full military funeral by the Allies, and on the evening following his funeral a single RAF fighter dropped a small package containing photos of the funeral onto the Circus headquarters. By Wars end the Circus was credited with the destruction of 644 aircraft, but 56 of its airmen had been killed, 32 seriously wounded, and 6 captured. Richtofen is pictured in July of 1917 tangling with Sopwith Camels in the skies over Belgium. Flying his beloved Fokker triplane, the infamous Red Baron is shown positioning his aircraft for yet another victory. The Ringmaster by Stan Stokes.Click For DetailsSTK0014
On April 6, 1916 the RFC formed several new squadrons, including the No. 56 Squadron - Scouts. In March of 1917 the unit received the first of its new SE5s. The aircraft was disappointing to the pilots, being slower than expected, and its new Vickers machine gun with interrupter gear was next to useless. Many modifications ensued in the field, and many SE5s were fitted with Lewis guns located atop the upper wing, and in some cases an additional Lewis was installed which could be fired downward through the cockpit. In early April of 1917 No. 56 was ready to see its first combat action, and the unit headed off to France. About nine months earlier the pendulum of air superiority had swung back to the Germans. The Fokker scourge of 1915 had previously been negated by the deployment of DH2 and FE8 aircraft, but the newer German Albatros and Halberstadt fighters had regained the upper hand. The RFC was once again suffering unsustainable casualties. No. 56 Squadron was immediately pressed into service upon its deployment in France, and over the next several months gave a good account of itself. The Squadrons first victory came on April 22, and went to Albert Ball who would become a high scoring ace. On September 23, 1917 many of No. 56 Squadrons pilots would become engaged in what would be considered as one of the epic battles of early aerial warfare. At about 5:00 PM in the evening eleven SE5s took off for a routine patrol. There were heavy clouds at 9,000 feet, effectively limiting the ceiling. Several engagements took place prior to James McCudden noticing a lone SE5 from No. 60 Squadron under attack by a German triplane. Unknown to McCudden was the fact that the triplane was piloted by Werner Voss, a top German ace with 48 confirmed victories. During the next several minutes 7 SE5s focused their efforts on attacking Voss triplane. Voss had several opportunities to make a dash for the German lines, but chose to stay and fight. Demonstrating beautiful flying and determination, Voss held the massed SE5s at bay, and managed to inflict damage on each and every one. With maneuvers made so quickly and so unpredictably, none of the SE5 pilots could keep Voss in their gunsights long enough to fire a meaningful burst. Voss managed to damage two of the SE5s enough that they withdrew from the fight, and a red-nosed German Albatros joined in the fray for a short time. At one point in the battle McCudden indicated that the triplane was in the cone of tracer bullets from at least five machines simultaneously. Voss could out climb and outmaneuver all the RFC craft. Minutes later at about 2,000 feet the SE5 piloted by Arthur Rhys Davids managed to catch the German ace in a straight flat dive, and approached to within feet of the triplanes tail, firing a solid burst before pulling out of his dive. Moments later the triplane hit the ground and disintegrated. Later that evening the pilots of 56 Squadron recounted the epic battle speculating as to who might have been the pilot of the German triplane. The next morning General Trenchard sent an aide to 56 Squdron to elicit details of the battle. In this report James McCudden paid the following tribute to Voss, As long as I live I shall never forget that German pilot who single-handedly fought seven of us for ten minutes, and who put some bullets through all our machines. His flying was wonderful, his courage magnificent, and in my opinion he is the bravest German airman whom it has been my privilege to see fight. Magnificent Courage by Stan Stokes.Click For DetailsSTK0016
During WW I there were two successful designers of flying boats; the American Glen Hammond Curtiss and the Englishman John Cyril Porte. A flying boat differs from a seaplane in that a seaplane is a modified land-based aircraft, whereas a flying boat has the hull of a boat. Glen Curtiss had built the first U.S. designed seaplane and had introduced a flying boat in 1912. John Porte, who was born in 1883, had served with the Royal Navy for several years prior to dedicating himself to aviation. He went to America in 1913 to work with Curtiss. In 1913 a British publisher and aviation enthusiast, Lord Northcliffe, had established a $50,000 prize for the first to cross the Atlantic in a hydroaeroplane. Curtiss built an aircraft, the twin-engine America, for Rodman Wanamaker, the wealthy American department store owner that was supposed to challenge for the big prize. However, the design was ineffective, and a frustrating period of modifications was undertaken. When the Great War started Porte immediately returned to England accepting a commission in the Navy. He persuaded the Admiralty to purchase Curtiss flying boats, and he organized a group at the Felixstowe Naval Air Station to study flying boat design. The Curtiss H.12 Large America flying boat was flown out of Felixstowe and Great Yarmouth on anti-submarine and anti-Zeppelin patrols. The H.12 had an endurance of 6-hours, with a maximum speed of 85-MPH. During their patrol duties the H.12s sank three German submarines and downed two Zeppelins. Working closely with Curtiss, Portes work resulted in a superior hull design for a flying boat, and the use of more powerful engines. Named after the Naval Air Station where they were designed, this series of Felixstowe flying boats were superior machines. The most important of the designs was the F.2A that went into production in 1917. It was a twin-engine model with two powerful Rolls Royce engines. The F.2A had a top speed of 95-MPH and a ceiling of 10,000 feet. It could also stay aloft for up to ten hours with the use of extended tankage. Felixstowes would typically carry a pair of 230-pound bombs mounted under the lower wings. The aircraft was well armed with as many as four machine guns installed. The biggest of all the Felixstowe designs was the five-engine Fury, a 15-ton giant that appeared in 1918. The Flying boats proved their worth during WW I. They had victories against enemy U-boats, Zeppelins, and seaplanes. You Cant Always Hide by Stan Stokes.Click For DetailsSTK0021
Tommy Sopwith was born in 1888. He became the second person to fly the English Channel, and he established the Sopwith Aviation Company in 1912. His first successful aircraft design was the Sopwith Tabloid. This was a very modern aircraft when introduced in 1913. With its top speed of 92-MPH the Tabloid won the 1914 Schneider Trophy race. Two other early Sopwith designs were the Bat Boat, one of the first flying boats flown by the Naval Wing, and the Three-Seater, a large observation aircraft. Sopwith proliferated many other designs during the Great War, including the Snipe, Pup, Dolphin, Salamander, Strutter, and Camel. Sopwiths triplane was introduced in 1917. It evolved from the need for an aircraft with a superior rate of climb. By reducing the length and width of the wings, and by adding a third wing, the desired results were achieved. The triplane was a sound design with good rate of climb and very good maneuverability. It was somewhat underpowered when compared with its German adversaries. It was powered with either a 110-HP or 130-HP Clerget engine. The Sopwith Triplane utilized a convention design with I-sections and longertrons made of spruce wood. The fabric was separated from the structural members by thin strips of spruce, and the forward section of the fuselage was covered with sheet aluminum. The Triplane had a steerable tailskid, and the undercarriage was built with streamlined steel tubing. This diminutive aircraft was 26 feet 6 inches in span and just under 19 feet in length. The maximum speed of the aircraft was 117-MPH; attainable at 5,000 feet altitude. With a service ceiling of 20,500 feet the Triplane had a maximum endurance of 90 minutes. Maneuverability was a hallmark of Sopwith designs and the triplane was no exception to this rule. Many Royal Naval Air Service pilots flew the Triplane. For most of 1917 the pilots of Navy 1, 8, and 10 squadrons in Flanders flew Triplanes. Sopwith also produced a 200-HP Hispano-Suiza powered triplane that had larger wings to compensate for the increased engine weight. More than 20,000 aircraft were built of Sopwith design prior to the companys merger with Hawker in 1933. Captain R.A. Little was the RNASs highest-scoring ace with a total of 47 victories. He had fifteen victories (Nos 22-36) that were attained while flying the Sopwith Triplane with No 8 Squadron RNAS between April 1917 and July 1917. Royal Navy Ace by Stan Stokes.Click For DetailsSTK0022

WW2 British Aviation Prints

Aircraft History: First flight 30th September, 1940. Delivered to 609 West Riding Squadron October, 1940. On 21st October, 1940, whilst flown by pilot officer S J Hill it shared in the destruction of a Ju88 which was 609 Squadrons 100th victory. X4590 was damaged on 25th October, 1940. After repair it was delivered to 66 Squadron. This aircraft is now preserved in its 609 Squadron markings in the Battle of Britain Hall at the RAF Museum, Hendon. <br><br>Pilot Officer Sydney Jenkyn Hill: Born April 1917, Sydney Hill joined 609 West Riding Squadron at RAF Middle Wallop in October 1940. On 21st October, 1940, whilst flying Spitfire Mk I PR-F serial X4590 he shared in the destruction of 609 Squadrons 100th victory (a Ju88) with Flight Lieutenant F. J Howell, DFC. On 18th June, 1941, whilst flying Spitfire MKVb PR-H serial W3211, he engaged Bf109s off Cap Gris Nez. Although his aircraft was damaged he managed to get back to the English coast and was seen gliding down towards Dover. Sadly, he crashed 5 miles west of Dover and was killed.Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk Ia X4590 PR-F. by M A Kinnear.Click For DetailsAP0001
Aircraft History: First delivered to 609 West Riding Squadron June 1942. It was the personal aircraft of Squadron Leader Roland Beamont whilst he was the Commanding Officer at 609. R7752 was damaged by enemy anti aircraft fire off Vissingen and crash landed at RAF Manston on 1st June 1943. The pilot, Squadron Leader A Ingle DFC, AFC, the Commanding officer of 609 at the time, was uninjured. R7752 was struck off charge 25th August 1943. <br><br>Wing Commander Roland P Beamont, CBE, DSO and bar, DFC (USA) DL: Born 10th August 1920, Roland Beamont joined No. 87 squadron in France during November 1939. Returning to England 20th May 1940 (having destroyed a Do17 and an ME109) he went on to destroy a further three enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain. In June 1941, he was posted to No.79 Squadron as Flight Commander. In December 1941 he went to Hawker Aircraft Ltd as a Service test pilot flying Hurricanes. On 29th June 1942, he was posted as Flight Commander to Hawker Typhoon equipped 609 Squadron at Duxford, and took command of the squadron in October. He returned to Hawker Aircraft during May 1943, to test fly the Tempest. In February 1944, he was tasked with forming the first Tempest Wing, No.150 at Castle Camps and later Newchurch. When leader of the five squadron Tempest Wing No.122 over Germany on 12th October 1944, Roland Beamont was shot down by ground fire and became a POW. During his time with No.150 and No.122 Wings he destroyed one Bf109, one Fw190, one Ju188 on the ground, and thirty two V1 flying bombs. After the war Roland Beamont became Chief Test Pilot for English Electric, test flying the Canberra, P1, Lightning and TSR2 aircraft. He was the first British pilot to fly a British aircraft at Mach 1 in level flight, and later Mach 2. After serving as Director of Flight Operations for the Tornado test programme he retired and became a respected author.Hawker Typhoon Mk Ib R7752 PR-G. by M A Kinnear.Click For DetailsAP0002
Aircraft History: The Hawker Hurricane MkI was part of the first production batch of 500 built by Gloster Aircraft Co. Ltd, Brockworth during 1939/140 under contract number 962371/38/C.23A/ Delivered to 504 squadron, P2725 brought down the first enemy aircraft over London on 15th September 1940, piloted by Flight Sergeant R. T. Holmes. Ammunition exhausted he deliberately rammed a Dornier causing it to crash on Victoria Station, P2725 was badly damaged as a result of this action and Flight Sergeant Holmes had to leave the stricken aircraft by parachute. The Hurricane crashed in the vicinity of Victoria Station. <br><br>Flight Lieutenant Raymond T Holmes: Born and raised on the Wirral Peninsula, Ray Holmes was the 55th volunteer for the RAFVR on its formation in 1936. As a sergeant pilot he was credited with being the first to bring down an enemy aircraft over London during the Battle of Britain whilst with 504 County of Nottingham Squadron flying Hawker Hurricane P2725. After flying convoy protection duties he was posted to Murmansk with 81 Fighter Squadron, escorting Russian Bombers over Finland. Upon his return to Britain he qualified as a flying instructor and spent two years at the Central Flying School. This was followed by a move to 541 Squadron at Benson, flying PR Spitfires, photographing targets such as Berlin, the Ruhr and Hitlers hideout at Berchtesgaden. At the end of the war he was appointed Kings Messenger flying mail for Winston Churchill. Ray was demobilized in October 1945 to return to the Wirral and his pre-war career of journalism.Hawker Hurricane MkI P2725 TM-B. by M A Kinnear.Click For DetailsAP0004
AP005. De Havilland Mosquito FBVI HX922 EG-F. by M A Kinnear. De Havilland Mosquito FBVI HX922 EG-F. by M A Kinnear.Click For DetailsAP0005
Aircraft History: Built by Westland Aircraft Ltd. Yeovil and delivered to 39 MU on 12th December 1943, it went to 880 squadron May 1944 then onto 887 squadron September 1944. Whilst being flown by S/L V Lowden on 15th August 1945 LR866 was credited with 2˝ destroyed and 2 probable A6M5 Zeke fighters. This was the last air combat of the 1939-45 conflict. <br><br>Sub Lieutenant (Air) Victor S Lowden DSC, RNVR: Born in Bangkok, Siam September 1923, Victor Lowden joined the Fleet Air Arm in July 1942 and commenced his basic flying training at Sealand UK and then Kingston, Canada. After converting to Seafires in August 1943, he joined 899 squadron in Northern Ireland and with the unit embarked on the escort carrier HMS Khedive. His first operational sortie in a Seafire took place in June 1944 in Air Defence Great Britain at Peterhead in Scotland. Further sorties on the type soon followed, notably over France during Operation Dragoon and then on to the Aegean in September 1944 with operational Aplomb and Outing. After arriving in Australia in April 1945 aboard HMS Chaser, 899 squadron was dismantled to provide pilot and aircraft for the Fleet Carrier HMS Indefatigable to which Victor found himself attached. He officially joined 887 squadron as part of the British Pacific Fleet in Task Force 37 off Sakashima, Japan in May 1945. Moving on to Task Force 38 in July of that year, he was engaged in dive bombing, strafing and providing Combat Air Patrols off Shikoko and Honshu. During the next few weeks, more Ramrod operations followed, attacking shipping and shore installations off Sendai, Japan. On 15th August 1945 whilst leading a flight of Seafires Mk III in LR866 escorting Fireflys and Avengers attacking targets south of Tokyo, he ran into a force of approximately 15 A6M5 (Zeke) fighters and an intense dogfight ensued. The enemy accounted for one Seafire (out of 7) and one Avenger but in doing so paid a high price 8 Zekes were shot down and a further four counted as probables. Victor Lowden was credited with 2˝ destroyed and 2 probables/damaged. This engagement subsequently proved to be the last aerial combat of the 1939-45 war, for shortly after landing back on the Indefatigable the official ceasefire flag was run up and flown on the ship. After the Tokyo Bay surrender, the carrier returned to Sydney and Victor was awarded the DSC. In mid September 1945 he sailed back to the United Kingdom for early demobilisation. Today he lives happily with his wife Helen in Scotland.Supermarine Seafire MkIII LR866 (S121) by M A Kinnear.Click For DetailsAP0007
Aircraft History: W5984 was built by Blackburn Aircraft Ltd at Sherburn-in-Elmet near Leeds and was delivered to 825 Squadron 1st January 1942. The aircraft was crewed by Lieutenant Commander E Esmonde DSO (Pilot) Lieutenant W H Williams (Observer) and Leading Airman W J Clinton (Telegraphist/ Air Gunner) Sadly on 12th February 1942, W5984 was shot down over the English Channel whilst leading Operation Fuller, the attack against the German ships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen. All three crew were killed. <br><br>Lieutenant Commander Eugene Esmonde VC DSO: Born 1st March 1909 in Ireland, Esmonde joined the Royal Air Force in 1928 as a fighter pilot. He left the RAF in 1933 and joined Imperial Airways, flying passengers, mail and freight to Australia and the Far East. In January 1939 he was offered a commission in the Fleet Air Arm as a Lieutenant Commander of 825 squadron. On 23rd May 1941, Esmonde led his squadron on a search for the Bismarck. After locating the target, he led 825 into the attack. Flying through heavy anti-aircraft fire, one of 825s torpedoes hit the Bismarck amidships. For his courage and skill Esmonde was awarded the DSO. On 12th February 1942, 825 took off from RAF Manston to attack the German ships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen, in the English Channel. Despite heavy anti aircraft fire, and ferocious attacks by enemy fighters, the six Swordfish bravely pressed home their attack, but all 6 were shot down. Out of a total of 18 aircrew only five survived, four of whom were wounded. Esmondes aircraft was seen crashing in flames into the sea. His body was later found washed ashore at the mouth of the River Medway, April 1942. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Fairey Swordfish Mk I W5984 H. by M A Kinnear.Click For DetailsAP0008
Aircraft History: First flight 11th July 1941, then onto 12 Maintenance Unit 16th July 1941. W3458 was delivered to 616 Squadron on 23rd July 1941. It failed to return from operations over Northern France on 9th August 1941. <br><br>Squadron Leader LH Buck Casson DFC, AFC: Coming from Sheffield Lionel H Casson was one of the original volunteer pilots to join 616 (South Yorkshire) Auxiliary Air Force Squadron on its formation at Doncaster in 1938. After pilot training, he served briefly with 79 Squadron flying Hurricanes from Biggin Hill before rejoining Spitfire equipped 616 at Leconfield in July 1940. With the squadron he flew south to Kenley in mid-August and over the next three weeks was involved in fierce fighting during the Battle of Britain. On 30th August he was credited with a probable and a damaged HE111. Two days later he claimed a Bf109 followed by the destruction of a Do17. After suffering severe losses, the squadron was withdrawn to Kirton-in-Lindsay on 4th September and after a rest period, 616 moved to Tangmere in February to join the Bader Wing. On 5th May 1941, Casson shared in the destruction of a Ju88 but was hit by return fire and was forced to bale out. Flying on daily sweeps and bomber escorts over Northern France, he destroyed a Bf109 on 22nd June and he claimed a damaged two days later. He was made Flight Commander in July and claimed two Bf109s as probables. On 9th August as he was leading his flight over St Omer, his aircraft was hit and he was forced to crash land. He was soon captured and spent the rest of the war in the infamous Stalag Luft 3. Shortly after his capture he was awarded the DFC. After his release four years later, he rejoined the peacetime 616 Squadron, equipped at first with Mosquito night fighters and then Meteor jet fighters. He was appointed as Commanding Officer in December 1950 during which time the Squadron won the coveted Esher Trophy awarded to the top Auxiliary Air Force squadron. After three years in command, he retired having been awarded the AFC for his outstanding leadership.Supermarine Spitfire MKVb W3458 YQ-X. by M A Kinnear.Click For DetailsAP0009
AP011. Handley Page Hampden Mk I AE193 ZN-A. by M A Kinnear. Handley Page Hampden Mk I AE193 ZN-A. by M A Kinnear.Click For DetailsAP0011
Aircraft History: Built by Gloster Aircraft, L8011 was one of a batch of 28 Gladiators delivered in September 1938 to the Royal Air Force. Allocated to 80 Squadron, L8011 saw service in North Africa and Greece, until it was transferred to the Royal Hellenic Air Force, 15th December 1940. <br><br>Squadron Leader Marmaduke T St. John Pat Pattle, DFC: Born on 3rd July 1914 in Butterworth, Cape Province, South Africa, Pat Pattle joined 80 Squadron in 1937. The Squadron was sent to Egypt in April 1938, and Pattle became a flight commander in 1939. During August 1940 the Squadron moved up to the Libyan border. Whilst escorting a Lysander, Pattles flight was engaged by a force of Italian fighters. Pattle (claiming 2) was forced to bale out inside Italian territory, but returned to base the next day. The Squadron moved to Greece in November in support of Greek forces on the Albanian border. Pattle was awarded the DFC in February 1941. In March he was awarded a bar to the DFC promoted to Squadron Leader and given command of 33 squadron equipped with Hawker Hurricanes Mk I. By this time he was credited with 23 victories. Due to the chaotic conditions during the British and Greek retreat, records were lost. However, relying on personal records and memories, it appears that his score of victories was 50 (possibly as high as 60) making him the highest scoring RAF pilot of the war. On 20th April 1941, he led the combined remnants of No.s 33 and 80 squadrons from Eleusis airfield. Although suffering from influenza and fatigue and on his third sortie of the day, Pattle led the remaining Hurricanes to intercept a German formation over Eleusis Bay. He was seen to shoot down a Bf110 but two other Bf110s then attacked him. Pattle was hit and he was seen slumped forward in the cockpit of his aircraft as it fell into the Bay. Gloster Gladiator Mk II L8011 YK-O. by M A Kinnear.Click For DetailsAP0012
AP013. Avro Manchester Mk Ia R5770 ZN - G. by M A Kinnear. Avro Manchester Mk Ia R5770 ZN - G. by M A Kinnear.Click For DetailsAP0013
Aircraft History: EE227 was 13th out of a batch of 15 F.1 aircraft delivered to 616 Squadron during 1944. Following service with 616, the aircraft was transferred to the Royal Aircraft Establishment and then to Rolls Royce, where it became the first aircraft to be fitted with turboprops (Rolls Royce Trents) It then went to the Aeroplane & Armament Experimental Establishment before returning to Rolls Royce and finally going back to the Royal Aircraft Establishment. After a distinguished career EE227 was struck off charge 27th June 1949. <br><br>Squadron Leader Dennis Barry, Croix de Guerre Avec Palme: Born on 26th August 1921 in London Dennis Barry joined the Royal Air Force in October 1940. In 1941, following pilot training, he was posted to 504 County of Nottingham Squadron and flew both Hurricanes and Spitfires. In August 1943 he was sent on a flight leaders course at Charmy Down and posted to Ibsley as a Flight Commander in 616 South Yorkshire Squadron. In June 1944 with other 616 pilots he was sent to Farnborough for a conversion course to fly the new Gloster Meteor. During this period, USAAF daylight bombers were under attack by German Me262 jet fighters so, together with three other pilots, Dennis was attached to Debden, where they staed mock attacks against 180 bombers and fighters to help the Americans gauge the speed of jet aircraft. In July 1944 616 moved to RAF Manston and was involved with the interception of German V-1 flying bombs and on 29th August he flew EE227 on an operational sortie. In February 1945, Dennis took four meteors Mk III to Brussels/ Melsbroeck. To enable Allied ground forces to distinguish the Meteors from the German jet fighters, the aircraft were painted all white. Prior to the end of hostilities, as the Allies moved through Europe, 616 were involved with numerous attacks on airfields, road and rail traffic. They moved to Lubeck at the end of the war, from where Dennis Barry led the Squadron on a victory fly past at the Copenhagen air show. In May 1946 he was demobilised from the RAF and re-joined 616 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force at RAF Finningley in March 1948, remaining with the squadron until July 1951. During this period on 8th January 1950 he probably became the only pilot to successfully bale out of a Meteor without the aid of an ejector seat. Gloster Meteor Mk F.1 EE227 YQ-Y. by M A Kinnear.Click For DetailsAP0014
Aircraft History: First flight 27th August 1940. X4277 was delivered to No.6 Maintenance Unit 28th August, and then delivered to 603 Squadron, 30th August. The aircraft was shot down in flames off the North Foreland (between Margate and Broadstairs) and crashed in to the sea 3rd September, 1940. <br><br>Flight Lieutenant Richard Hope Hillary: Born on the 20th April, 1919 in Australia. Richard Hillary came to England aged three, when his father took up a post as a government official at Australia House in London. He later attended Oxford, was a member of the University Air Squadron and was called up in October 1939. He completed his training and was initially posted to No.1 School Army Co-operation, followed by a posting to No.5 OTU - to convert to Spitfires- and then on to 603 Squadron at Montrose. He shot down his first enemy aircraft on 29th August 1940, but his aircraft was badly damaged forcing him to crash land, Hillary surviving unhurt. He obtained his fifth victory on 3rd September 1940, but was then shot down by Hptmn. Bode of II/JG26. He had to abandon his blazing Spitfire (X4277) by parachute, landing in the sea with severe burns to his face and hands. After some time in the water he was rescued by the Margate lifeboat. He spent the next three months in the Royal Masonic Hospital, and was then transferred to the Queen Victoria Cottage Hospital at East Grinstead, where he began a long period in hospital as one of the first guinea pig patients under the care of plastic surgeon Archibald McIndoe (later Sir Archibald McIndoe) It was during his recovery that he wrote his famous book The Last Enemy which has since become a wartime classic. Following great personal effort, he was posted on a nightfighter training course to No.54 OTU, flying the Bristol Blenheim. During the early hours of 8th January 1943 whilst on a night flying exercise, his Blenheim crashed in poor weather, both he and his navigator were killed.Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk Ia X4277 XT-M. by M A Kinnear.Click For DetailsAP0015
Aircraft History: P2544 was one of 729 Mk I Hawker Hurricanes built by Glosters at Hucclecote and delivered to the RAF between November 1939 and July 1940. One of the first delivered to No.274 in North Africa, Autumn 1940, P2544 served with the squadron until Spring 1941 when it was sent to No.71 OTU. Severely damaged on 6th June 1941 after a forced landing at Ismailia, the aircraft was used as an instructional airframe, until struck off charge. <br><br>Flight Lieutenant Arthur Adrian Percy Weller, DFC: Born 21st December 1917 in Watford Hertfordshire, Sam Weller was posted to No.80 Squadron at Amriya near Alexandria in September 1939. His fellow officers included the legendary Pat Pattle and Imshi Mason. Soon after the outbreak of war with Italy, Weller achieved his first success witha shared probable, shooting down an Italian SM79 with Flying Officer G F Graham. In August 1940 Weller transferred with No.80 Squadrons Hurricane flight to form the nucleus of the newly reformed No.274 Squadron under the command of Squadron Leader P H Dunn. During the months which followed, the Squadron operated from various locations in the Western Desert, which were often little more than landing grounds and sand and scrub. Weller flew P2544 on several offensive patrols in the Bardia area in November and December 1940. Whilst flying Hurricane V7300 on 14th December 1940, he shot down an SM79 aircraft with a second one unconfirmed. Five days later he fired at seven SM79 aircraft setting one on fire. His own aircraft was riddled with bullets, but he landed safely. On 27th April 1941, he undertook a lone attack on enemy aircraft at Benina near Benghazi, a mission which required him to fly 880 miles. Pressing home his attack with great skill he destroyed seven Ju52s causing heavy casualties to the troops on board them. For this action he was awarded an immediate DFC. The following month Weller took part in the defence of Crete and on 27th May damaged his Hurricane at Heraklion. Unable to get away from the island, he was eventually evacuated and returned to Egypt, finally being posted to No.71 OTU as an instructor. On 13th December 1941, when the unit was stationed at Gordons Tree near Khartoum, he was tragically killed in a flying accident.Hawker Hurricane Mk I P2544 YK (T) by M A Kinnear.Click For DetailsAP0016
AP017. Short Stirling MkI R9257 MG - C. by M A Kinnear. Short Stirling MkI R9257 MG - C. by M A Kinnear.Click For DetailsAP0017
AP018. Avro Lancaster Mk III ND845 MG-C. by M A Kinnear. Avro Lancaster Mk III ND845 MG-C. by M A Kinnear.Click For DetailsAP0018
AP019. Handley Page Halifax LK797 LK-E. by M A Kinnear. Handley Page Halifax LK797 LK-E. by M A Kinnear.Click For DetailsAP0019
Aircraft History: JN751 was built at Hawkers Langley factory and delivered to No. 20 MU at Aston Down 20th February 1944. Delivered to No.486 (NZ) Squadron initially, and subsequently received by No.3 Squadron, it became the personal aircraft of Wing Commander R P Beamont. On 8th June 1944, it became the first Tempest to shoot down and enemy aircraft (Bf109G-6, JN751 was hit in the starboard wing by a cannon shell in this combat) and during June/August it shot down over 30 V-1 flying bombs. On 1st September, following an engine failure on take-off, JN751 made a forced landing at Langley. Repaired 2nd September, Wing Commander Beamont collected the aircraft from Langley on 5th September and returned to Newchurch - this was his last flight in JN751. Returned to No.20 MU on 3rd October 1944, it was delivered to No.287 Squadron at Hornchurch on anti aircraft co-operation duties. On 18th May 1945, whilst trying to avoid a fog bank JN751 crashed on the Isle of Sheppey, killing the pilot, Flight Sergeant P.C.A. Redstone. <br><br>Wing Commander Roland P Beamont, CBE, DSO and bar, DFC and bar, DFC (USA), DL: Born on 10th August 1920, Roland Beamont joined No87. Squadron in France during November 1939. Returning to England 20th May 1940 (having destroyed a Do17 and an Me109) he went on to destroy a further three enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain. In June 1941 he was posted to No79 Squadron as a Flight Commander. In December 1941, he went to Hawker Aircraft Limited as a Service test pilot flying Hurricanes. On 29th June 1942, he was posted as Flight Commander to Hawker Typhoon equipped No.609 (WR) squadron at Duxford, and took command of the squadron in October. He returned to Hawker Aircraft during May 1943, to test fly the Tempest. In February 1944, he was tasked with forming the first Tempest Wing, No.150 at Castle Camps and later Newchurch. When leader of the five squadron Tempest Wing No.122 over Germany on 12th October 1944, Roland Beamont was shot down by ground fire, and became a POW. During his time with Nos 150 and 122 Wings he destroyed one Bf109, one Fw190, one Ju88 on the ground and thirty two V1 flying bombs. After the war Roland Beamont became Chief Test Pilot for English Electric, test flying the Canberra, P1, Lightning and TSR2 aircraft. He was the first British pilot to fly a British aircraft at Mach 1 in level flight, and later at Mach 2. After serving as Director of Flight operations for the Tornado test programme he retired and became a respected author.Hawker Tempest Mk V JN751 R-B. by M A Kinnear.Click For DetailsAP0020
A Wellington returns low over the calm, dawn water of the North Sea, vainly struggling to maintain both height and speed. Dawn Return by Anthony Saunders. (APB)Click For DetailsAS0003
Battle hardened Spitfires of 222 squadron head home high above a gathering storm. Two of 222 by Anthony Saunders. (APB)Click For DetailsAS0004
A poignant scene from the Battle of Britain, as a pair of battle weary Hurricanes return from a mission, young children play in the afternoon sun. Salute the Few by Anthony Saunders. (APB)Click For DetailsAS0005
Sqd Ldr Beamont leads the Typhoons of no. 609 Squadron in an attack on heavily armed German shipping in the Channel. Typhoon Attack by Robert Taylor.Click For DetailsAX0004
One secondary market remarque print available, numbered 398 / 500. The Sinking of The Tirpitz by Gerald Coulson.Click For DetailsAX0040
One secondary market print available, numbered 166 / 850. Operation Jericho, the Jail Breakers by Gerald Coulson.Click For DetailsAX0041
August 17th - 18th 1943 - German fighers and British bombers battle above the research station at Peenemunde to decide the fate of the Nazi V weapons. Peenemunde by Frank Wootton.Click For DetailsAX0045
Red Berets drop on Arnhem. A Bold Leap by John Young.Click For DetailsAX0046
6th Airborne Div , D-Day 1944. Gliders at Caen by Frank Wootton.Click For DetailsAX0047
Typhoon IBs of No.181 Squadron attack a German supply vessel off the coast of northern France during the run up to D-Day in 1944 using cannon and 60il rockets. This unique aircrafts amazing speed at low level and awesome fire-power proved formidable and, after a shaky start to its service career, proved itself beyond all doubt to be an essential tool in the softening-up operations against German defences prior to allied invasion in June 1944. Typhoon Season by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0006
Developed from the hawker Typhoon, the first hawker Tempest MkV took to the air during September 1942 and immediately showed great promise as a most versatile aircraft. During the build up to Overlord in 1944, tempests raged across northern France softening up the enemy defenses and blocking or destroying arterial supply routes. This Hawker Tempest V is engaged in knocking out a German train as part of Roland Beamonts No.3 Squadron operations prior to D - Day. Raging Tempest by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0007
As part of Operation Overlord in June 1944, it was necessary to deploy large numbers of troops quickly and accurately to the fields and bridgeheads of Northern France. No aircraft was better suited to dropping paratroopers and their equipment than the ubiquitous Douglas Dakota, these examples being of No.271 Squadron from Down Ampney near Gloucester.6th June 1944 (Dakotas) by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0010
Wearing the distinctive black and white identification stripes of the D-Day operations of June 1944. Airspeed Horsa MkII assault gliders, towed by their Short Stirling MkIV tugs of No.620 Squadron, make their way across a moody English Channel en route for Normandy during the tumultuous Operation Overlord. Tugs of War (Stirling & Gliders) by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0011
Sadly, but two examples of the Handly page Halifax exist today - the unrestored W1048 at the RAF Museum at Hendon, and the Yorkshire Air Museums pristine LV907 Friday the 13th, a rebuild from the remains of HR792. In this portrait of one of Bomber Commands oft-forgotten workhorses, the original Friday the 13th is set against a stunning evening cloudscape. Friday the 13th by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0012
R-Robert was dramatically retrieved after nearly forty years on the bed of Loch Ness in Scotland. It is being restored at the Brooklands Museum. The Loch Ness Wellington by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0013
Developed from the Supermarine Seagull, the Walrus was to prove itself a useful and capable workhorse in almost every theatre of the Second World War. Here, HMS Rodney despatches her Shagbat from the catapult atop C turret. Ships Company by Ivan BerrymanClick For DetailsB0015
When Roy Chadwick first drew the Avro 679 Manchester bomber for the RAF, he could little have known that from this rather lacklustre machine would evolve the classic 683 Lancaster. This painting is not a record of any single event in the Lancasters illustrious history, rather a portrait of a fine aeroplane and a tribute to the many crews who flew and serviced them.Chadwicks Masterpiece by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0016
To commemorate Shuttleworths Golden Jubilee in 1994. A Spitfire leads a Hawker Hind and a Gloster Gladiator in formation over Old Warden. The Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden aerodrome is recognised as one of the finest private collections of vintage aircraft in the world. Many of the exhibits have direct connections with the all too short but lively career of Richard Ormonde Shuttleworth himself, and all the aircraft are flown regularly - from the frail and endearing Bristol Boxkite to what is regarded as the most genuine Spitfire flying today. Here, this Spitfire leads a Vic-3 formation of the Collections Hawker Hind and Gloster Gladiator over Old Warden during a typical flying display to Commemorate Shuttleworths Golden Jubilee in 1994.Shuttleworth Salute by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0017
Depicting Spitfires of No.92 Squadron, which on their first mission over Dunkirk, encountered six ME109Es and succeeded in shooting down every one of them! Such actions came to symbolise the spirit of the 92nd Squadron which went on to see intense fighting during the Battle of Britain and by the end of 1940 had claimed an astonishing 127 enemy aircraft destroyed. A dramatic and unusual perspective on this classic aeroplane addition to any collection of Spitfire paintings. The Hunting Party by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0019
In one of the finest portrayals of the Avro Lancaster, Moonlight Run depicts the aircraft of Fl. Lt. Mickey Martin (ED909 AJ-P) at the moment of release of the Wallace Bomb during the Dams raid on the Ruhr in 1943. With only the gentlest of moonlight rippling over the dark water of the Mohne, this dramatic picture plays homage to the impossible low altitudes and high speeds that were necessary to complete successfully their heroic mission. A stark and refreshing treatment of a subject at the hearts of all aviation historians.Moonlight Run (Dambusters) by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0021
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.Shining the Way (Mosquito) by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0022
Allied fighters encountering Focke-Wulfs potent Fw190 were to find themselves alarmingly outclassed when first the Luftwaffes new fighter appeared in the skies above France in 1941. Even the Spitfire MkV struggled to match the Butcher Birds outstanding performance. However, the inception of the Spitfire MkIX was to rapidly redress the balance and represented, in many ways, the coming of age for this classic British fighter, final production of this mark alone totalling 5665 machines.The Thoroughbred by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0023
Without doubt one of the most outstanding and versatile aircraft in the Allied inventory during World War II, the Bristol Beaufighter was to endure a cautious reception by its crews when it first entered service, not least due to difficulties experienced by crews attempting to abandon a stricken aircraft in an emergency. Its performance and hard-hitting potential quickly overcame such doubts, however, and it went on to earn a commendable reputation - and the nickname Whispering Death. Here, two 254 Sqn TF. MkXs attack a captured Norwegian vessel in 1945.Seastrike by Ivan BerrymanClick For DetailsB0028
North American Mustang IIIs of No.315 Polish Squadron Deblinski are shown over the invasion fleet heading for the D-Day landings.Watching Station (Mustangs) by Ivan BerrymanClick For DetailsB0030
The Consolidated Model 28 PBY Catalina was so successful in its definitive form that it went on to become the most extensively built flying boat of all time. Here, a 210 Squadron Catalina Mk IVA from RAF Sullem Voe, Shetland, has located two weary downed aircrew, drained but grateful after a long night in the North Atlantic swell. By Dawns Light by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0031
A Messerschmitt BF109 E of JG27 closes on a 501 squadron Hawker Hurricane during the typical combat in the skies over southern England during the Battle of Britain, in the summer of 1940.  One to One by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0033
Together with its more glamorous contemporary the Spitfire, the Hawker Hurricane has become one of the best known fighter aircraft in aviations war torn history. In this picture, two Hurricanes of No.501 Sqn are shown on a coastal sweep at the height of the Battle of Britain. Holding the Fort by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0034
B89. Typhoons on the Offensive by Richard Ward. Typhoons on the Offensive by Richard WardClick For DetailsB0089
B92. Battle of the Atlantic by Richard Ward. Battle of the Atlantic by Richard WardClick For DetailsB0092
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.1As of No.610 (County of Chester) Sqn RAAF, intercept incoming Heinkel 111H-16s of the 9th Staffel, Kampfgeschwader 53 Legion Condor during the big daylight raids on London of August and September 1940 – the climax of the Battle of Britain. Spitfire N3029 (DW-K) was shot down by a Bf109 on the 5th of September 1940 and crash-landed near Gravesend, Kent, thankfully without injury to Sgt Willcocks, the pilot. For the record, N3029 was rebuilt and, following some brief flying in the UK, was sent overseas by convoy to the Middle East. Ironically, the ship carrying this aircraft was torpedoed en route and both ship and all its cargo were lost.Close Encounter by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0094
A pair of De Havilland Mosquito NF. MkII night fighters of 23 Squadron, based at Bradwell Bay, Essex in 1942. Night Raiders by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0096
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. Breakout. Amiens Raid by Mosquitos by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0098
Routine, though essential, maintenance is carried out on a 501 Sqn Hurricane at the height of the Battle of Britain during the Summer of 1940.  Ground Force by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0099
The pilot of a Fairey Swordfish MKII guides his aircraft towards the landing ramp of HMS Victorious following a sortie in the Mediterranean Sea 1940 Safe Return by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0110
Sea Wings by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0121
Swordfish of 825 Sqn led by Lt-Cdr Esmonde begin their heroic attack on the battlescruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen as they make their way up the English Channel from Brest during Operation Cerberus on 12th February 1942. Although all the aircraft were lost and no significant damage was done to the German fleet, all the pilots were decorated for their bravery and Lt-Cdr Esmonde received the first Fleet Air Arm VC to be awarded, albeit posthumously. The painting depicts the first wave of Swordfish attacking the Scharnhorst with Gneisenau taking avoiding action in the distance. A German torpedo boat has turned to confront the attacking aircraft. Attack on the Scharnhorst by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0138
Guy Gibsons Lancaster having unsuccessfully dropped its bomb, draws enemy fire from the aircraft of Sqn Ldr Young as his bomb explodes spectacularly on the Mohne Dam during the audacious Dams Raids of 16th/17th May 1943.The Night They Broke the Dams - Operation Chastise by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0158
Standing his aircraft at the height of just 60 feet above the waters of the Mohne, Flt Lt Maltby braves a hail of anti-aircraft fire just seconds before the release of the bouncing bomb that would at last breach the dam on that historic night of the 16th/17th May 1943.The Dambusters by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0159
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.Destination Amiens by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0222
B0223. Catalina Crescendo by Ivan Berryman. Catalina Crescendo by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0223
The German crew of a Type VII U-boat man the guns as their submarine comes under a surprise attack from a Beaufighter of Coastal Command. Surprise Attack by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0235
The crew of MkIII Short Stirling WP-M of No.90 Squadron RAF prepare for a flight test on the morning of 3rd July 1943. <br><br>Aircraft BK718, with designation WP-M, of No.90 Squadron RAF was lost over Germany in the early hours of 4th July 1943. Six of the seven crew were lost in the crash, the rear gunner surviving to be taken prisoner. Stirling WP-O was also lost on the same mission, with the loss of all seven crew.<br><br>The crew of Stirling WP-M, BK718: Sgt Hugh Murray, Flight Engineer - Sgt Robert Freeland, Air Bomber - P/O Geoffrey Smith, Air Gunner - Sgt Oliver Beard, Wireless Operator - P/O Andrew Gilmour, Navigator - F/Lt Robert Platt, Pilot - Sgt I. H. Norris, Air Gunner. Preparing To Go - Crew of a Short Stirling by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0236
The Short Stirlings WP-M and WP-O, aircraft numbers BK718 and EH907, fly together en route to Cologne in the late evening of 3rd July 1943. <br><br>Aircraft BK718, with designation WP-M, of No.90 Squadron RAF was lost over Germany in the early hours of 4th July 1943. Six of the seven crew were lost in the crash, the rear gunner surviving to be taken prisoner. Stirling WP-O was also lost on the same mission, with the loss of all seven crew. <br><br>The crew of Stirling WP-M, BK718: Sgt Hugh Murray, Flight Engineer - Sgt Robert Freeland, Air Bomber - P/O Geoffrey Smith, Air Gunner - Sgt Oliver Beard, Wireless Operator - P/O Andrew Gilmour, Navigator - F/Lt Robert Platt, Pilot - Sgt I. H. Norris, Air Gunner. Stirlings of No.90 Squadron by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0237
A Lancaster returns to its home airfield. Lancaster Arrival by Graeme Lothian. (P)Click For DetailsB0245
Wing Commander Bob Doe in his Spitfire is shown attacking Heinkel He-111s during the Battle of Britain. Wing Commander Bob Doe during the Battle of Britain by Graeme Lothian. (P)Click For DetailsB0247
Air Commodore Alan Deere DSO DFC* and other Spitfires of No.54 squadron during the Battle of Britain, attacking He111 bombers which are being escorted across the Channel by Me109 fighters Spitfires of No.54 squadron during the Battle of Britain by Graeme Lothian. (P)Click For DetailsB0248
Hurricane pilots await their next scramble while ground crews ready their Hawker Hurricanes for their next engagement during the Battle of Britain. Hurricanes FT-S and FT-D of No.43 Sqn.Hurricanes at the Ready by Graeme Lothian. (P)Click For DetailsB0250
A superb portrait of one of the Royal Air Forces top fighter pilots of World War Two. Johnnie Johnson has also signed this original pencil drawing. Johnnie Johnson by Graeme Lothian. (P)Click For DetailsB0252
Original pencil drawing showing two Spitfires. Signed by Graeme Lothian only. Supermarine Spitfire by Graeme Lothian. (P)Click For DetailsB0254
Original pencil drawing of Pilot Officer Constantine Pegge, who shot down eight enemy aircraft in one day during the Battle of Britain. P.O. Constantine Pegge, 610 Sqn, August 1940 by Graeme Lothian. (P)Click For DetailsB0255
Lancaster LM360, piloted by Bill Reid, is raked by fire from stem to stern by a Luftwaffe Fw190 fighter. Bill Reid had already sustained injuries to his head, torso and hands from a previous attack by an Me110, but, with this rest of his crew unscathed from the previous attack, he had not mentioned his injuries. In the attack depicted here, the Fw190 makes a lethal attack on the already damaged bomber, killing one crew member and fatally wounding a second. Despite this, Bill Reid flew on to his target of Dusseldorf - a further 200 miles - successfully dropped his bombs, then turned for home. With the aid of the bomb aimer and flight engineer, the Lancaster made it across the Channel and headed for an airfield, with one leg of the damaged undercarriage failing on landing. Bill Reid was awarded the Victoria Cross for this mission. Bill Reid VC by Graeme Lothian. (P)Click For DetailsB0256
Johnnie Johnsons Spitfire on patrol over the British coastline. This is the original sketch for the oil painting Fighting Lady. Siptfire - Fighting Lady by Graeme Lothian. (P)Click For DetailsB0257
B0258P. Dogfight - Battle of Britain by Graeme Lothian. Dogfight - Battle of Britain by Graeme Lothian. (P)Click For DetailsB0258
Hawker Hurricane, the backbone of Fighter Command (along with the Spitfire) is shown during the Battle of Britain, downing an Me109. Hawker Hurricane - War Horse by Graeme Lothian. (P)Click For DetailsB0259
A Spitfire of No.19 Sqn returns from a sortie during the Battle of Britain, summer 1940. Supermarine Spitfire - Job Well Done by Graeme Lothian. (P)Click For DetailsB0260
Spitfire D-AZ of Royal Air Force Spitfire Ace Bob Doe is shown in a steep turn. Bob Doe - Spitfire Ace by Graeme Lothian. (P)Click For DetailsB0261
Three Spitfires are shown banking into a dive during the Battle of Britain. Spitfire Wing by Graeme Lothian. (P)Click For DetailsB0262
Along with the Hurricane, the Supermarine Spitfire was the backbone of Fighter Command. here three Spitfires are shown on patrol above the fields of southern England during the Battle of Britain. Tribute to the Spitfire Pilots by Graeme Lothian. (P)Click For DetailsB0263
Spitfire JE-J of Spitfire Ace Johnnie Johnson is shown with the engine cowling removed during maintenance. Spitfire Maintenance Check by Graeme Lothian. (P)Click For DetailsB0264
Spitfire Z-FA of No.308 Sqn (Polish) thunders over a picturesque village in April 1941. Polish Spitfire by Graeme Lothian. (P)Click For DetailsB0265
Blenheim IVs of No 21 Squadron, here being attacked by Adolf Gallands Bf 109 on 21st June 1940. Galland claimed two Blenheims and a Spitfire that day before he, too, was shot down by the defending Spitfires of 303 Sqn. Tribute to the Blenheim Crews by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0287
Boston IIIs of No 88 (Hong Kong) Squadron. These aircraft were involved in the search for the Scharnhorst in February 1942 and frequently attacked targets in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Tribute to the Boston Crews by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0288
A pair of Beaufighters attacking Axis shipping in the North Sea. Without doubt one of the most outstanding and versatile aircraft in the Allied inventory during World War II, the Bristol Beaufighter was to endure a cautious reception by its crews when it first entered service, not least due to difficulties experienced by crews attempting to abandon a stricken aircraft in an emergency. Its performance and hard-hitting potential quickly overcame such doubts, however, and it went on to earn a commendable reputation - and the nickname Whispering Death. Beaufighter Attack by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0289
A Royal Air Force Blenheim of No.25 Sqn is prepared for take-off as the crew get ready to board their aircraft. Ready for the Off - Blenheim of No.25 Sqn by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0290
Royal Air Force Blenheim Mk.I aircraft of No.141 Squadron. Mk.I Blenheims of No.141 Sqn by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0291
Boulton Paul Defiant of 151 Sqn, based at Wittering, attacking a Messerschmitt Me110. Following an exhausting summer during the Battle of Britain, 151 was designated a night fighter squadron and was equipped both with Hurricanes and Defiants. On the night of 15th January 1942, two Defiants succeeded in bringing down three German aircraft and further successes were recorded during enemy raids on Birmingham when a further nine kills were claimed. Night of Defiance by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0292
Group Captain Billy Drake in Curtiss P.40 AL161 of 112 Sqn downing a Stuka during the North Africa Campaign in 1942. The Jaws of Victory by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0293
Group Captain Billy Drake in Hurricane JX-P of No.1 Sqn scoring his first victory, an Me109 during the Battle of France, on 20th April 1940. Billy Drake - First of Many by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0294
Bristol Blenheim Mk.IVF of No.68 Squadron. The night-fighter squadron flew Blenheims from mid1941 to early 1942 before converting to Beaufighters. Aircraft WM-Z is shown in combat with a marauding Dornier Do17. Blenheim Mk.IVF of No.68 Sqn by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0295
A Fairey Battle of No.218 Squadron gets on the tail of a Ju-87 Stuka over France in 1940. An aircraft carrying the codes HA-J was shot down by flak on the afternoon of 12th May 1940. The three crew of aircraft K9353, J B Horner, L C Flisher and L D Davies were all lost. Fairey Battle, 218 Squadron by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0296
An Avro Anson comes under attack from an Me109. Avro Anson by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0298
An Avro Anson Mk.I from Coastal Command is attacked by an Me109. Coastal Command - Avro Anson Mk.I by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0299
Fairey Battle HA-J of No.218 Sqn is taken by surprise by the close pass of a Bf109E over France. The squadron were based at Auberive-sur-Suippes in 1939, and as part of the Advance Air Striking Force of the RAF during the Battle of France, suffered heavy losses. An aircraft carrying the codes HA-J was shot down by flak on the afternoon of 12th May 1940. The three crew of aircraft K9353, J B Horner, L C Flisher and L D Davies were all lost.  Fairey Battle Mk.I by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0301
Hurricane Mk.IIC Z3971 of 253 Sqn, closing on a Heinkel 111. Hurricane Mk.IIC by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0303
Mustang Mk.IIIs of No.19 Sqn, 1944. Mustang Mk.III by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0307
On the night of 7th-8th June 1944, a Lancaster of No.207 Sqn piloted by Wing Commander John Grey was part of a force of 112 bombers and 10 Mosquitoes sent to attack a tank storage park near Cerisy-la-Foret. With the D-Day landings just 48 hours old, it was considered too risky to leave the tank park intact, should the Germans try to launch a counter thrust from this position, just 20 miles from the French coast near Bayeux. Shortly after crossing the coast, Greys aircraft was attacked by a JU.88 and both the mid upper gunner Sutherland and tail gunner McIntosh opened fire on their pursuer and sent it down in flames. No sooner had they recovered from this fright when a second JU.88 closed in on them. Again, both gunners combined their fire and destroyed the enemy aircraft in mid air. Grey pressed on to the target where their bombs fell on the enemy tank depot, also destroying some fuel dumps and an important road junction. Returning to the French coast to begin their journey home, they were attacked yet again, this time by a Messerschmitt Bf 110. With machine-like precision, McIntosh and Sutherland opened fire together, claiming their third victim in a single night. For this extraordinary feat, both gunners were awarded the DFC. Gunners Moon by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0308
On 12th November 1944, the mighty Tirpitz was finally destroyed by a combined force of Lancasters from No 9 and No 617 Squadrons. LM220, an aircraft of 9 Sqn is shown here making its run toward the target at approximately 09.40 hours on that fateful day. Raid on the Tirpitz by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0310
A Bristol Beaufort Mk I of No 22 Squadron attacks a railway marshalling yard during raids on the French coast in the Autumn of 1940. Bristol Beaufort by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0312
A tribute to the glider crews and airborne troops who participated in the glider operations during D-Day. The British Horsa glider (known as the flying coffin) was used by British, Canadian and American airborne forces during the invasion. Approximately 100 glider pilots were killed or wounded during the D-Day operations. D-Day Invasion : Tribute to the Glider Troops by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0313
Amid a hail of defensive fire, Flt Lt D J H Maltby holds Lancaster ED906/G AJ-J steady for his bomb aimer John Fort to perfectly choose his moment to release the Upkeep Bomb that would ultimately breach and destroy the Mohne Dam during the famous Dambuster raids on the Ruhr on the night of 16th / 17th May 1943. The One That Broke The Dam by Ivan Berryman. (P)Click For DetailsB0314
Bill Townsends Lancaster O for Orange, returns safely on the morning of 17th May 1943 after the success of the daring raids on the dams of the Ruhr Valley. O Safe Home by Ivan Berryman. (P)Click For DetailsB0315
F/Lt (later Wing Commander) Baldwin was to become the highest-scoring Typhoon pilot of all with 15 confirmed victories, one shared, one probable and four damaged. He is depicted here downing a Bf.109 in Typhoon 1B, DN360 (PR-A) of 609 Sqn. F/Lt J R Baldwin by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0324
Spitfires of No.41 Sqn during the Battle of Britain. The lead aircraft is EB-J, flown by Sqn Ldr Maurice Brown. 41 Squadron Spitfires by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsB0352
Spitfire EB-J of Sqn Ldr Maurice Brown at the height of the Battle of Britain. Sqn Ldr Maurice Brown - No.41 Sqn by Ivan Berryman. (P)Click For DetailsB0353
79 Sqn Hurricane of F/Lt Owen Tracey trying to get airborne again amid explosions from the attacking German Dorniers on 15th August 1940. Hot Work by Ivan Berryman. (P)Click For DetailsB0355
George Beurling in Spitfire VC BR301 in action against a Macchi 202 over Malta in 1942. Victory Over Malta by Ivan Berryman. (P)Click For DetailsB0356
P/O J E Marshall baling out of his stricken 79 Sqn Hurricane on 30th August 1940. A Hasty Exit by Ivan Berryman. (P)Click For DetailsB0357
The 79 Sqn Hurricane of P/O E J Morris receiving hits from a Dornier 17 on 31st August 1940. Morris was forced to crash land his aircraft and was slightly wounded following the combat. Revenge of the Raider by Ivan Berryman. (P)Click For DetailsB0358
George Beurlings Spitfire Vc shooting down the Macchi 202 of Italian Faliero Gellis over Malta. The crippled aircraft had been hit in the engine and radiator, but he managed to crash-land it and survived as a prisoner of war. This was the same day that Beurling also shot down Italian ace Furio Niclot and a probable Messerschmitt Bf.109. Beurlings Day by Ivan Berryman. (P)Click For DetailsB0360
Spitfire L1062 (DW-L) of 610 Sqn was hit by flak over Dunkirk on 29th May 1940 and this picture depicts Sergeant Peter Jenkins struggling to get out of the cramped cockpit as his stricken aircraft plunges toward the sea. Time to Leave by Ivan Berryman. (P)Click For DetailsB0361
A moment during the fraught encounter on 27th May 1940 over Dunkirk between Spitfires of 610 Sqn and an estimated 40 Bf.110s during which three Zerstorers were shot down. A Dunkirk Encounter by Ivan Berryman. (P)Click For DetailsB0363
Byron Duckenfield and his 501 Squadron wingman struggle to get airborne in their Hurricanes as the spectacle of the scrambling squadron draws a group of passing motorists out of their vehicle to witness the thunderous noise of the aircraft. 501 Sqn Scramble by Ivan Berryman. (P)Click For DetailsB0364
Spitfire L1000 (DW-R) of No.610 Sqn is terminally damaged by an Me109 over Dunkirk on 29th May 1940. The Spitfire pilot, Flying Officer Gerald Kerr is listed is missing after this combat. Kerrs Last Combat by Ivan Berryman. (P)Click For DetailsB0365
The Spitfire (EB-J, X4559) of Maurice Peter Brown takes to the air with his wingman. 41 Sqn Scramble by Ivan Berryman. (P)Click For DetailsB0366
Depicting Spitfire of 609 squadron during the Battle of Britain. Spitfire Tally-Ho by Geoff Lea.Click For DetailsDHM0264
DHM265. Desert Prang by Geoff Lea.Desert Prang by Geoff Lea.Click For DetailsDHM0265
DHM266. Dakota Over Burma by Geoff Lea. Dakota Over Burma by Geoff Lea.Click For DetailsDHM0266
Shows the action on 26th May 1941 by Swordfish from HMS Ark Royal on the German battleship Bismarck. Fresh from her triumphant encounter with HMS Hood, Bismarck was struck by Swordfishs torpedo which jammed her rudder and was finished off by the home fleet on 27th May 1941. Sink the Bismarck by Geoff Lea.Click For DetailsDHM0267
Features the successful Horsa glider borne assault on the Caen Canal bridge at Benouville in Normandy at approx. 00.15hrs on D-Day, the 6th June 1944. Troops from the second battalion of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry led by Major John Howard took the bridge which later became known as Pegasus Bridge. The Longest Day Begins - Pegasus Bridge by Geoff LeaClick For DetailsDHM0286
After take off a Sunderland of Coastal Command flies low over its base at Rosneath on the Gareloch, as Royal Navy battleships lay at anchor around the naval base of Faslane, near Helensburgh, Scotland during 1945.Sunderland Over the Gareloch by Geoff Lea.Click For DetailsDHM0287
DHM290. Under Cover of the Night by Simon Smith. Under Cover of the Night by Simon Smith.Click For DetailsDHM0290
Spitfires of 602 City of Glasgow Squadron in the disitnctive white stripe marking of the d- day invasion patrol the Normandy beaches. Seen below are the landing craft and ships of the invasion force as the troops form Britian, America, Canada invade the Normandy Beaches, coded Juno. Gold, Sword and Utah.Beware of the Lion by Geoff Lea.Click For DetailsDHM0401
It is August 1944, barely two months since the Allies landed their first troops on the beaches of Normandy. After the failed Operation Lüttich (codename given to a German counterattack during the Battle of Normandy, which took place around the American positions near Mortain from 7 August to 13 August, 1944 ) The German Panzer Divisions were in full retreat, The British and American Generals believed it to be critical to halt them before they cauld regroup. Caught in the Gap at Falaise, the battle was to be decisive. Flying throughout a continuous onslaught, rocket-firing Typhoons kept up their attacks on the trapped armoured divisions from dawn to dusk. The effect was devastating: at the end of the ten day battle the 100,000 strong German force was decimated. The battle of the Falaise Pocket marked the closing phase of the Battle of Normandy with a decisive German defeat. It is believed that between 80,000 to 100,000 German troops were caught in the encirclement of which 10,000 to 15,000 were killed, 45,000 to 50,000 taken prisoner, and around 20,000 escaped . Shown here are German Tiger I tanks under continues attack by Royal Aoir Force Typhoons. Taming the Tiger by Geoff Lea.Click For DetailsDHM0402
A pair of Royal Air Force Spitfires fly over the hay fields of southern England as the farmers toil. A tranquil scene which will soon be spoilt with the German Luftwaffe aircraft as the Battle of Britain begins.Freedom Fighters by Simon Smith.Click For DetailsDHM0403
Douglas C47 Dakotas fly into the landing and drop zone at Renkum Heath, September 17th 1944.Arnhem by Simon SmithClick For DetailsDHM0404
Spitfire Mk9. of 56 squadron patrol the D-Day landings. Normandy Beach Head Patrol by Geoff Lea.Click For DetailsDHM0410
Lancaster CF-X (LM384) of 625 Squadron. This aircraft was lost over Leipzig on the evening of 19th / 20th February 1944.Last Long Shadow by Anthony Saunders.Click For DetailsDHM0413
Mosquitos of 105 Squadron, Marham.Return From Leipzig by Anthony Saunders.Click For DetailsDHM0421
P40 Kittyhawks of No.3 Squadron RAAF based at Ta Qali Airfield, Malta.Over Grand Harbour by Anthony Saunders.Click For DetailsDHM0422
The Hawker Hurricane powered by the powerful Rolls Royce Merlin engine is shown in combat with Luftwaffe aircraft during the Battle of Britain. The Hurricane played a major role in the aerial victory along with its companion the Spitfire.Merlin Roar by Anthony Saunders.Click For DetailsDHM0423
Flt. Lt. John Alexander Cruickshank in his consolidated Catalina. Winning his Victoria Cross for sinking U-347. Sinking of U-Boat 347 by Tim Fisher.Click For DetailsDHM0426
Hawker Hurricanes of 249 squadron (RAF) departing off HMS Ark Royal in June 1941 as par tof Force H. The Hurricanes were to become part of the Defence of Malta against the onslought and non stop bombing by the Axis Bombers and HMS Ark Royal would be sunk only a few months later when on the 13th November 1941 HMS Ark Royal was hit by a single torpedo from the German U-boat U81. The torpedo hit on the starboard side near the starboard boiler room causing a 130ft by 30ft hole. Water poured in causing a 10% list immediately. The flooding spread quickly to the middle of the ship and then to the port boiler room, eectric power failed, and after 14 hours while in tow to Gibraltar she capsized and sunk the following day.Malta Relief by Tim Fisher.Click For DetailsDHM0427
Depicts a 103 squadron Lancaster returning from a night-time bombing mission. Lancaster Dawn by Anthony Saunders.Click For DetailsDHM0434
Portsmouth August 26th 1940, the lone spitfire of Squadron Leader Sandy Johnstone breaks the ranks and picks off one of the menacing Heinkels only to encounter an equally determined attack from a BF109. <br><br>We were brought to readiness in the middle of lunch and scrambled to intercept mixed bag of 100+ Heinkel IIIs and DO 17s approaching Portsmouth from the South. The controller did a first class job and positioned us one thousand feet above the target. with the sun behind us, allowing us to spot the raiders from a long way off. No escorting Messchersmitts were in sight at the time, although a sizable force was to turn up soon after. then something strange happened. I was about to give a ticking off to our chaps for misusing the R/T when I realised I was listening to German voices. It appeared we were both using the same frequency and, although having no knowledge of the language it sounded from the monotonous flow of the conversation that they were unaware of our presence. as soon as we dived towards the leading formation, however we were assailed immediately to loud shouts of Achtung Spitfuern Spitfuern! as our bullets began to take their toll. In spite of having taken jerry by surprise our bag was only six, with others claimed as damaged, before the remainder dived for cloud cover and turned for home. In the meantime the escorting fighters were amongst us when two of our fellows were badly shot up. Hector Maclean stopped a cannon shell on his cockpit, blowing his foot off above the ankle although, in spite of his grave injuries, he managed to fly his spitfire back to Tangmere to land with wheels retracted. Cyril Babbages aircraft was also badly damaged in the action. forcing him to abandon it and take to his parachute. He was ultimately picked up by a rescue launch and put ashore at Bognor, having suffered only minor injuries. I personally accounted for one Heinkel III in the action (Sandy Johnson) . <br><br>No. 602 City of Glasgow auxiliary squadron was a household name long before WWII began. It had been the first auxiliary squadron to get into the air in 1925, two of its members, Lord Clydeside and David McIntyre were the first to conquer Mount Everest in 1933: the squadron sweeped the board in gunnery and bombing in 1935, beating the regular squadrons at their own game. It was the first auxiliary Squadron to be equipped with Spitfire Fighters as far back as March 1939 and it was the first squadron to shoot down the first enemy aircraft on British soil. The squadron moved south from Drem airfield in East Lothian on August 14th 1940 to relieve the already battered no. 145 squadron at Westhampnett, Tangmeres satelitte station in Sussex. The squadron suffered 5 casualties during the battle. The squadron remained at Westhampnett until December 1940 to be replaced by no. 610 auxiliary airforce squadron. No 602 squadron itself remained active up until 1957 when it was put into mothballs. Gauntlet by Anthony Saunders.Click For DetailsDHM0436
Depicting Spitfires of No.229 squadron as they pass over Malta in 1942, a tribute to the young pilots, regarded as the saviour of an Island. Maltese Falcons by Anthony Saunders.Click For DetailsDHM0437
The balance of maritime power in the Mediterranean was transformed at a stroke by the British air attack which disabled three Italian battleships in a few minutes. The target was the core of Mussolinis fleet, tucked away in Taranto Harbour, in southern Italy. The attack, codenamed Operation Judgement, took place in bright moonlight by twenty-one Swordfish from the British carrier HMS Illustrious. In the confined space of the harbour, their torpedoes had a devastating impact, at least nine torpedoes struck their targets. In all, seven ships were severely damaged, including the battleship Caio Duilio (left), Littorio (right) and Conte Di Cavour. Raid on Taranto by Anthony SaundersClick For DetailsDHM0519
Two Hawker Hurricanes ME11D tank busters of No.6 Shiny Six Squadron about to attack retreating axis mechanised units, November 1942 at El Alamein. Can Openers by David Pentland.Click For DetailsDHM0576
Wing Commander Roland Beamont in his personal Tempest V, intercepted and downed his first V1 Buzzbomb on the night of June 22nd, 1944, over south east England. As Commander of 150 wing and others he went on to shoot down a total of 30 V1 flying bombs, 8 enemy aircraft and 35 locomotives destroyed plus one minesweeper sunk. A Buzz for Beamont by David Pentland.Click For DetailsDHM0577
Oberleutenant Schalls ME 262 of JG7 catches the Australian crewed Lancaster from 5 group dead astern as it lines up for its bombing run on the Hamburg U-Boat pens. Even at this angle the speed of the jet made it difficult to get off more than a few bursts of cannon fire before it passed through the British formation. The episode was witnessed by navigator Cecil Keys in the leading Lancaster QR/Y from 61 squadron on his last raid of the war. Lt. Schall, an ace with 117 kills, and 2nd highest jet ace of the war with 14 victories was killed the following day when his aircraft hit a bomb crater on landing at his base of Parchim. Jet Attack by David Pentland.Click For DetailsDHM0582
Gloster Gladiators flown by Flt. Lt. M.T. Pattle and Flying Officer Johnny Lancaster surprise a flight of Breda 65s from 59A Squadriglia over Bit Taob El Essem, North Africa. Pattle went on to be top Commonwealth Air Ace of all time. Pattles First Victory, 4th August 1940 by David Pentland.Click For DetailsDHM0590
A swordfish from HMS Warspite on patrol off the coast of Egypt, near the port of Alexandria. Out of Alex by David Pentland.Click For DetailsDHM0790
D for Donald of 270 squadron, Royal Air Force, out of Freetown, West Africa operating in the Atlantic Ocean. It was during routine operation search that D for Donald surprised U515 on the surface and immediately attacked the submarine. U515 in putting up stiff resistance blew a large hole in the hull of D for Donald and the magazine of the starboard side 0.5 twin Browning was hit and the subsequent shrapnel wounded both blister gunners. U515 escaped but was sunk by an American naval hunter group a year later. D for Donald limped back to base and managed to make the beach before it would sink completely. Catalina Attack by John Wynne Hopkins.Click For DetailsDHM0849
Hawker Hurricane IIc of top Czech ace Flt. Lt. K.M. Kuttlewascher, No.1 Fighter Squadron on a night intruder sortie from RAF Tangmere. On this mission he destroyed three Heinkel IIIs over their own airfield, St. Andre, in occupied France. Night Reaper, 4th May 1942 by David Pentland.Click For DetailsDHM0859
Spitfires of R.C.A.F 144 Wing led by Wing Commander Johnson in combat with ME109s of JG3 over Arromanches, France June 1944.Combat Over Normandy by Graeme Lothian.Click For DetailsDHM0869
A solo Spitfire on patrol off the coast of Dover during the Battle of Britain. Fighting Lady by Graeme Lothian.Click For DetailsDHM0870
Before D-Day allied fighters ranged far and wide across the North of Europe. Ranger by Graeme Lothian.Click For DetailsDHM0871
Royal Air Force Supermarine Spitfires overfly London with the Tower of London and Tower Bridge in the distance. Spitfires over London by John Young.Click For DetailsDHM0915
DHM917. Spitfire by Barrie Clark. Spitfire by Barrie Clark.Click For DetailsDHM0917
DHM921. McRoberts Reply by Geoff Lea. McRoberts Reply by Geoff Lea.Click For DetailsDHM0921
A solo Hurricane flies over the remains of a downed German bomber during the Battle of Britain. Also shown in the painting are the early warning radar towers which played a significant part in the detection of German aircraft and their number, helping the RAF win the Battle of Britain.Teamwork by Geoff Lea.Click For DetailsDHM0922
DHM923. Shackletons by Geoff Lea. Shackletons by Geoff Lea.Click For DetailsDHM0923
Spitfire of 761 Training Squadron (attached to the Royal Navy) flies over the Forth Railway Bridge on the eve of World War Two, also shown is HMS Royal Oak departing Rosyth for the open sea. Land, Sea and Air by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM0965
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.A Moments Peace by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1031
Dedicated to those who served and died in the Battle of Britain on the ground and in the air during the summer of 1940. A Nation Alone by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1033
A lone Royal Air Force Spitfire is shown high amongst the clouds over the southern counties of England during the hieght of the Battle of Britain.In the Playground of the Gods by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1034
1st June 1940 - Pete Peters fights off overwhelming attack over Dunkirk and destroys three fighters. Anson MKV flown by pilot officer Phillip Peters was leading a petrol of three Ansons of No 500 Royal Auxiliary Air Force Squadron over Dunkirk at the time the British Expeditionary Forces were evacuating from the beaches. He was flying at around 50ft when his mid upper gunner reported that nine Bf109s were attacking. Dropping to wave-top height the slow obsolescent twin engined aircraft tried to shake off their pursuers. Two planes were severely damaged and Peters sent them home, leaving his own aircraft at the mercy of the enemy fighters.Improbable Victory by Tim Fisher.Click For DetailsDHM1074
During WW II ofjuly 1944, the RAF Bomber Command were planning yet another bombing raid, this time over Stuttgart in Germany. The no.514 Sq., based in Cambridgeshire, England, were one of the Lancaster Bomber Squadrons chosen for the mission. Flight Lieutenant THOMAS HARVELL was a member of the 7 man crew for Lancaster Bomber no.LM206 selected. He was flight engineer and co-pilot with II missions already behind him. The RAF carried out nearly all their raids at night. This was the night of July 28/29 1944 and they were on course in the vicinity of Neuf Chateau (S.WNancy) France. Suddenly they were attacked by a prowling Luftwaffe Nightfighter aircraft, which later proved to be a JUNKERS 88 flown by HEINZ ROKKER. The Lancaster shuddered on the first hit but continued flying. THOMAS HARVELL was moving to the back of the aircraft and had dropped window, (strips of foil) to confuse ground radar, when they were hit again. This time they lost an engine after an explosion and LM206 started to plunge earthwards. (The Merlin Engine can been seen today at the French Airforce museum, St.Dizier, Lorraine) FI.Lt. HOMAS HARVELL was literally blown out of the doomed Lancaster, hitting his head and becoming unconcious. As luck was on his side, he regained his senses whilst falling through the air and pulled his chute at the last minute. He landed heavily and injured his leg. The pilot and four other members of the crew perished but navigator George Robinson also managed to use his chute and was captured after landing, by the german occupation forces. George Robinson now lives in South Africa. The other five crew members are all buried at Neuf Chateau and their graves can be seen to this day. THOMAS HARVELL was able to evade capture and was found by a member of the FFI (French Resistance), who hid him in various hideouts. After being treated for his wounds by Dr.CORNU, a prominent surgeon of Neuf Chateau, several attempts were made to smuggle THOMAS HARVELL back to England without much success. It was decided, by the FFI, to make one last attempt and this time THOMAS HARVELL was given a bicycle and new identity papers. He was told to cycle in the direction of the Swiss border west of Besacon and make contact with the Daubs area FFI commander, JEAN LAPPRAND.It was decided it was too dangerous to cross the border at this time and as THOMAS HARVELL had already become a member of the French Resistance, he continued fighting the war side by side with his French Resistance colleagues. It was in this part of France, that he witnessed a trial of a double agent/traitor of the FFI, who was quickly executed by firing squad. At this point in time, OREST BILAK came into the picture. He was born in Ukraine and had joined the Ukranian Army in 1942. He had become a senior NCO officer when his whole battalion were ordered to join forces with a german SS unit. They had much fighting experience and took part in some very bloody battles. Some elements of the Ukranian people had, at first, welcomed the germans but this soon changed and sometime in 1944 many were deserting. This was the case with OREST BILAKs battalion who had just been ordered to march into the mountain stronghold of JEAN LAPPRAND and wipe them out. Instead they had killed their german SS commanders and after talks with JEAN LAPPRAND had fought on with the FFI including THOMAS HARVELL. Together they liberated the region including the town of PIERREFONTAINE, ahead of the advancing allied forces Sept. 1944. It could be said that THOMAS HARVELL was the only British serviceman who fought with the german SS without being called a traitor. Another RAF pilot, Paul Bell a canadian and THOMAS HARVELL were now able to make contact with the 711 US Army. After six weeks, including a ride in the Dakota of General Patch, they finally made it back to England. On his arrival, THOMAS HARVELL became an instructor/advisor until the end of the war. He later made a career in the British Police Force. He regularily travels to France to meet all his wartime colleagues and now lives in Southampton, England. OREST BILAK was demobilised in 1946. Around this time he met his future wife (in France) who was also Ukrainian and had been working during the war in underground factories for the germans. By pure chance they had both attended the same school in Ukrainia. After the war OREST BILAK made a career in the clothing industry They live in retirement at a small mountain village near Lyon, France. They have 10 grandchildren. He has also devoted much of his time and money for a childrens home, in France, for the underprivileged from Ukraine. Out of his battalion of 450 men, of those who survived, 230 stayed with the French Foreign Legion, some emigrated to Canada, USA and Australia. 116 returned to the Ukraine, only to be arrested and sent to a Siberian prison for 10 years and a further 10 years hard labour. OREST BILAK and his wife visited the Ukraine for the first time in 1994 and met some of their old colleagues. JEAN LAPPRAND remains, to this day, secretive about his time in the FFI. Without a doubt he was very lucky to survive the war, considering his responsibility and fame. After the war he had his own carpentry business and lives in retirement with his wife at Pierrefontaine in good health. After much research we were able to trace and find HEINZ ROKKER, the Luftwaffe pilot who shot down Lancaster LM 206. We had a remarkable reunion at Neuf Chateau on September 14th 1999, where Thomas Harvell and Heinz Rokker met for the first time. It was a civic event with official invitation from the town mayor. A visit was made to the cemetery where the five Lancaster crew members are buried and HEINZ ROKKER laid a wreath on behalf of the german Nightfighters Pilots Association. This was followed by a speech at the town hall. A magnificent feast finished the event at the restaurant next to DOMREMY. Combat Over Domremy by Graeme Lothian.Click For DetailsDHM1113
Sailor Malam leading 74 Squadron engaging Me109s of I/JG52 during the Battle of Britain, September 1940. The Right of the Line by Graeme Lothian.Click For DetailsDHM1115
The fourth attack on the Mohne Dam led by Sqd Ldr H M Young, piloting AJ-A (ED877/G) In the background to his starboard side is Flt Lt H B Martin, flying AJ-P (ED909/G) who was drawing fire away from the attacking aircraft by flashing his identification lights and turning on the spotlight altitude indicators. Wing Cdr G P Gibsons aircraft is out of sight, engaging enemy fire at the far side of the dam wall. The bomb was observed to make three good bounces and exploded on contact exactly as Barnes Wallis had planned, generating a vast column of water. Although it was not obvious at that instant, this was the attack which succeeded in breaching the dam. However, it was not until the next attack by Flt D J H Maltby that it was realised that the dam was crumbling. The code word sent out by Young signified; Goner (bomb released) 7 (exploded in contact with the dam) 8 (no apparent breach) A (Mohne dam) Youngs aircraft was lost with all lives on its return to Scampton possibly around 02.58 near Castricum-ann-Zee, north of Ijmuiden.Goner 78A - The Dambusters Raid by Tim Fisher.Click For DetailsDHM1128
A Lysander of 161 Squadron from RAF Tempsford banks to port as it circles a field somewhere in France 1943. These missions only took place on or around the full moon period to pick up or drop off SOE agents with the help of the Resistance. 161 Squadron, the most secret of all RAF squadrons, had in its flight, Lysanders, Hudsons, and Halifaxes which carried out parachute operations. Two of 161s top pilots Hugh Verity and Lewis Hodges both received the DSO & bar and DFC & bar, and from France the Legion dHonneur and the Croix de Guerre.Lysander Pick Up by Graeme Lothian.Click For DetailsDHM1155
A large umbrella of Spitfire Wings covered most of the sky over Dieppe during the Allied attack Operation Jubilee on 19th August 1942. Squadron leader Johnnie Johnson leads 610 (County of Chester) Squadron down from top cover support to lend a hand to Spitfires of 485 Squadron (New Zealand) and 411 Squadron (Canadian) which made up the 12 Group Wing, led by W/C Pat Jameson. The enemy being made up of a huge mixed force of Fw190 and Me109 fighters from JG2 and JG26. 12 Group Wing flew four times that disastrous day and in the end the Royal Air Force lost 106 aircraft compared to the Luftwaffe losses of 48.The Battle for the Skies Over Dieppe, 19th August 1942 by Graeme Lothian.Click For DetailsDHM1159
DHM1161. Distant Dispersal by Graeme Lothian.Distant Dispersal by Graeme Lothian.Click For DetailsDHM1161
A pair of 272 Squadron Bristol Beaufighters roar over the extensively rebuilt battleship HMS Valiant as she lies at anchor at Alexandria late in 1941, accompanied by the cruiser HMS Phoebe and Valiants sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth (in the extreme distance) HMS Valiant and HMS Phoebe at Alexandria, 1941 by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1176
After taking part in the Battle of France early in 1940, 85 Squadron moved to Croydon on the 19th August, where, led by renowned squadron leader Peter Townsend DSO DFC, the squadron played a notable part in the Battle of Britain. Thirty Hurricane squadrons participated in the Battle of Britain compared to only eighteen Spitfire squadrons, claiming 80 percent of the RAF victories. Sir Sidney Camms innovative design ensured the Hurricane became a classic fighter. Hurricane Patrol portrays Squadron Leader Peter Townsend leading 85 Squadron on a high altitude sortie during the long hot summer of 1940.Hurricane Patrol by Graeme Lothian.Click For DetailsDHM1177
Lancaster of 50 Squadron being escorted home by Spitfires. 50 Squadron were based at SwinderbyNursing Her Home by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1210
Spitfire of 610 Squadron over the white cliffs of Dover.Return of the Heroes by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1211
A solo spitfire flies through the clouds over southern England.Give Us Spitfires by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1212
Hurricanes of No.1 Sqn fly over the famous London landmark.Hurricanes over the Houses of Parliament by John Young. (AP)Click For DetailsDHM1214
Spitfire from No. 71 (eagle) squadron flys over Buckingham Palace. Spitfire Over Buckingham Palace by John Young. (AP)Click For DetailsDHM1215
Spitfire from No. 54 squadron flies over London with Tower Bridge in the background. Spitfire Over Tower Bridge by John Young. (AP)Click For DetailsDHM1216
At 0154am, Pilot officer Les Knight in Avro Lancaster AJ-N transmitted the codeword Dinghy, the signal that the Eder Dam had been successfully breached. Although the target was undefended by flak, its location made it extremely difficult to hit. In fact, four of the five aircraft involved in the attack failed in their attempts and Knights was the last available aircraft carrying the last available bomb! Target Y The Eder Dam Raid, The Ruhr Valley, 17th May 1942 by David Pentland.Click For DetailsDHM1217
DHM1221. Bristol Blenheim by Tim Fisher. Bristol Blenheim by Tim Fisher.Click For DetailsDHM1221
The night of the 16th May 1943 saw 19 modified Lancasters of the specially formed 617 squadron set out to breach the Ennepe, Eder, Mohne and Sorpe dams in Westphalia, Germany. The mission was led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson DSO, DFC. Gibsons Lancaster can be seen in the foreground with lights full on to draw enemy fire, as is Mick Martins Lancaster on the far side protecting Dinghy Young, who has dropped his bouncing bomb and is flying through a hail of defensive gunfire. He scored a direct hit, and his was the decisive bomb that breached the Mohne Dam. Of the 19 Lancasters who set out, 5 received damage from enemy defences, 6 returned unscathed and 8 failed to return. Operation Chastise was a huge success especially for the countries morale. 58 decorations were awarded for the raid including a Victoria Cross for Gibson. The squadron were known thereafter as the Dambusters.Gibson VC by Graeme Lothian.Click For DetailsDHM1226
Lancasters of 61 Squadron head out for the enemy coast during the night of 3rd November 1943. Seen in the lead Lancaster is Flt Lt Bill Reid flying QR-O. After sustaining two heavy attacks by enemy night fighters, killing two crew members and injuring Reid in the head, shoulders and hands. He carried on to the target, dropping accurately his bomb load. Navigating back by Pole Star and Moon, he lost consciousness on occasions due to blood loss. He managed to find his way Shipdharn. Upon landing the undercarriage collapsed but luckily did not catch fire. For his exploits that night he was awarded the Victoria Cross.Lancaster VC by Graeme Lothian.Click For DetailsDHM1227
On 31st August 1944, 6 Mosquitoes of 305 Polish Squadron, Lasham, 2nd TAF were led by Wing Commander Orlinski to attack oil refineries at Nomexy, south of Nancy, France. Diving down and releasing their bombs before escaping at tree top height they destroyed 4 large containers and several smaller ones. All aircraft safely returned after their four and a half hour sortie. Fl Lt Eric Atkins DFC(bar) KW(bar) and his navigator Fl Lt Majer can be seen exiting the area to reform on the other 3 Mosquitoes who have already finished their bombing run. This was Atkins 61st operation, finishing the war with 78 ops over 3 tours.Mosquito Attack by Graeme Lothian.Click For DetailsDHM1228
Hurricanes of 607 County of Durham Squadron diving down and attacking Heinkels over the Needles on the Isle of Wight, after a raid on the southern coast. 607 squadron were stationed at nearby Tangmere from the start of September 1940 and saw continuous action throughout the Battle of Britain until the 16th October, when it withdrew to Scotland having raised its total victory to 102. Also aiding in the pursuit are Spitfires of 602 City of Glasgow Squadron based at Westhampnett.Hurricanes Over the Needles by Graeme Lothian.Click For DetailsDHM1229
With HMS Warspite keeping a watchful eye off her port bow, the Illustrious class carrier HMS Formidable prepares to recover a Fairey Albacore TB MK1 of No. 826 sqn. following a vital sortie against Italian shipping at the start of the Battle of Cape Matapan in march 1941. Led by Lt Cdr W G H Saunt DSC, Formidables Albacores launched torpedo attacks on the battleship Vittorio Veneto, seriously damaging her, despite coming under intense anti aircraft fire and a splash barrage of 15-inch shells.HMS Formidable by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1252
DHM1297. Hampden Roar, tribute to the men of the Hampdens by Graeme Lothian. Hampden Roar, tribute to the men of the Hampdens by Graeme Lothian.Click For DetailsDHM1297
Outward bound, Stirling III of 199 Squadron based at Lakenheath, Suffolk, heads out on another night of operations in August 1943. EE953, Sqd letters EX - E of 100 group is piloted by F/L Tom Austin DFC who finished his tour by the end of October 1944, winning the DFC with his bomb aimer F/O Jack Lawrence. Nicknamed the Queen of the Skies, the Stirling was the 1st four engined bomber to enter service with the RAF in 1941. The cockpit stood a massive 22.5 feet from the ground and had an operational ceiling of only 12,000 feet, well within the range of the enemy AA guns. By September 1944 other bombers were taking the brunt of the attack to the Germans and the Stirlings were used mainly for glider towing especially for D-day and Arnhem.Tribute to the Crews of the Stirling by Graeme Lothian.Click For DetailsDHM1326
Swordfish of 825 Sqn led by Lt-Cdr Esmonde begin their heroic attack on the battlescruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen as they make their way up the English Channel from Brest during Operation Cerberus on 12th February 1942. Although all the aircraft were lost and no significant damage was done to the German fleet, all the pilots were decorated for their bravery and Lt-Cdr Esmonde received the first Fleet Air Arm VC to be awarded, albeit posthumously. Attack on the Scharnhorst by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1349
The night of the 16th May 1943 saw 19 modified Lancasters of the specially formed 617 squadron set out to breach the Ennepe, Eder, Mohne and Sorpe dams in Westphalia, Germany. The mission was led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson. The Dambusters by Graeme Lothian.Click For DetailsDHM1419
<b>SOLD OUT. The Night Awaits by Keith Woodcock.Click For DetailsDHM1446
Paratroopers of the 1st Battalion sort their kit out and get ready to enplane the waiting American Dakota C-47s of the 14 and 59 Squadrons/61st Troop Carrier Group. The paratroops took off simultaneously from Saltby and Barkston, commencing at 1121. All planes were in the air by 1155. A relatively uneventful trip over the northern route to the Netherlands resulted in not a plane being shot down; only five were slightly damaged. The 1st Battalion were dropped at 1403, 2nd Battalion at 1353 and the 3rd Battalion at 1356, all at DZ-X, west of Wolfhezen some eight miles west of Arnhem. The Battalion orders were for three different routes to the Arnhem Bridge. 1st Battalion took the Leopard route, 2nd Battalion Tiger route and the 3rd Battalion Lion route. Only the 2nd Battalion, commanded by Lt colonel John Frost managed to fight their way to the bridge. Market Garden. Arnhem by Graeme Lothian.Click For DetailsDHM1453
Douglas C47 Dakotas fly into the landing and drop zone at Renkum Heath, September 17th 1944. Arnhem - September 17th 1944 by Graeme Lothian.Click For DetailsDHM1454
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.The Dambusters by Simon Smith.Click For DetailsDHM1460
Two 85 squadron Hurricanes returning to base after a battle over the skies of southern England in the summer of 1940.Return From Combat by Simon Smith.Click For DetailsDHM1462
Two Me109s of Adolf Gallands famed JG26 breaking away after a head on attack against Johnnies Johnsons Spitfire formation.Combat over the Pas de Calais by Simon Smith.Click For DetailsDHM1465
RAF Avro Lancaster flies low over occupied Europe. The Shining Sword by Simon Smith.Click For DetailsDHM1466
June 1940, Gloster Sea Gladiators. Maltas airborne defence flying over the Grand harbour. Faith, Hope and Charity by Kenneth McDonough.Click For DetailsDHM1471
July 1940 Hurricanes from 32 squadron RAF southbound over Kent to protect their home base, Biggin Hill. Battle for Biggin by Kenneth McDonough.Click For DetailsDHM1472
Guy Gibson in his specially modified Avro Lancaster, makes his first run over the Mohne Dam to create a legend that will live forever. Gibson by Robert Tomlin.Click For DetailsDHM1475
Standing his aircraft at the height of just 60 feet above the waters of the Mohne, Flt Lt Maltby braves a hail of anti-aircraft fire just seconds before the release of the bouncing bomb that would at last breach the dam on that historic night of the 16th/17th May 1943. Third Time Lucky by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1482
Guy Gibsons Lancaster having unsuccessfully dropped its bomb, draws enemy fire from the aircraft of Sqn Ldr Young as his bomb explodes spectacularly on the Mohne Dam during the audacious Dams Raids of 16th/17th May 1943. Operation Chastise - The Night They Broke the Dams by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1483
Spitfire of 19 Squadron shown over southern England in 1940.Spitfire Country by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1550
This sortie was for the sole purpose of saving lives. The objective was to initiate a breakout of more than 700 French resistance workers from Amiens prison, many of whom were on their eve of execution by their Gestapo jailers. The De Havilland Mosquito FB Mk V1s of 464 and 487 Squadron of No 140 wing were to breach the outer walls and destroy certain key buildings within the compound. Absolute pin point precision was vital to reduce casualties amongst the French patriots. Three formations of six aircraft were formed, each crewed by the most experienced members of these squadrons. Low level runs at only fifteen feet were required to maintain bombing accuracy. The raid was the responsibility of Group Captain Percy Charles Pickard, DSO, DFC. The navigational plot was in the hands of Pickards inseparable friend and navigator, Flight Lieutenant J A Bill Broadley. The operation took place on the 18th Februrary 1944 in terrible weather, with heavy snow falling, sweeping in gusts and almost obscuring the runway. The first run took place along the Albert to Amiens road which can be seen in the foreground of the painting. Led by Wing Commander I S Black, the aircraft were flying so low they had to be flown at an angle to miss the trees lining the road. Bombs were placed with pin point accuracy, breaching the walls in places and setting fire to the main building. The second attack at right angles to the first across barren open fields was led by Wing Commander R W Bob Iredale followed by the Australians of 464 Squadron. The target being the second phase demolition of the guards annex. The painting shows Iredale in the foreground with his navigator Flt. Lt. McCaul, followed closely by Sqn Ldr Sugden and navigator Fg Off Bridger. In the background, comimg up rapidly at a height of fifteen feet is Fg Off Mongham, DFM and his navigator Fg Off Dean DFM. These two attacks were so successful, that streams of prisoners managed to escape. Further bombing runs were deemed unnecessary and 21 Squadron returned to base. Liberation from Amiens by Tim Fisher.Click For DetailsDHM1552
144 Wing RCAF, Normandy, 1944. Wing Commander Johnnie Johnson DSO**, DFC* by Graeme Lothian.Click For DetailsDHM1553
Ground crew performing routine maintenance on a Sunderland on the slipway at Pembroke. Fat Alberts Day Off by Ivan Berryman.Click For DetailsDHM1558
A Lysander prepares to leave its base on yet another dangerous and secret mission to drop agents into occupied France during WWII. Agents and Pilots alike, took great personal risk during these operations. Pilots having to navigate by map, timing and sight, find and land in fields in the dead of night. Agents having to slip away into the countryside, constantly aware that the enemy could discover them at any moment. They were the bravest of the brave. Only the Brave by Philip West.