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MAJOR MISSIONS
by Robert Taylor
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A highly-restricted edition commemorating the men and machines of perhaps the most famous of all RAF Bomber Command units to serve during WWII
Forged by their unique link to aeronautical
design genius Barnes Wallis, 617 Squadron
was the first and only squadron in the
history of RAF Bomber Command to be formed
for a single operation – the spectacular
destruction of the great dams of Western
Germany. After successfully delivering
Barnes Wallis’s ingenious ‘Upkeep’ bouncing
bomb on that audacious low-level assault on
the night of 16/17 May 1943, 617 Squadron
soon came to be considered as the RAF’s
specialist precision-bombing unit, and
forever known as the Dambusters.
Having later released 12,000lb ‘Tallboy’
deep-penetration earthquake bombs on major
targets including the U-boat pens along the
French Atlantic Coast, the Kembs barrage and
the mighty German battleship
Tirpitz, in March 1945 the squadron
carried the first of Barnes Wallis’s ‘Grand
Slam’ bombs to attack the Bielefeld and
Arnsberg viaducts. The massive 22,000lb
‘Grand Slam’ contained over 9,000lbs of
Torpex explosive and was the most powerful
conventional bomb of World War II. And, like
‘Upkeep’ and ‘Tallboys’, ‘Grand Slams’ could
only be carried by specially modified Avro
Lancaster bombers.
617 Squadron was the only unit to use these
mammoth weapons in anger, and it’s their
modified Lancasters at RAF Woodhall Spa that
form the basis of Robert Taylor’s
atmospheric drawing Major Missions.
Throughout his career Robert has formed lasting personal relationships with many distinguished veterans who served with the unit, famous names such as ‘Mick’ Martin and Les Munro to name but a few. It’s this first-hand knowledge that helps him create such a historic collector’s piece which is destined to become an instant classic.
Adding great authenticity, each print in this highly-restricted edition has been personally hand signed by two renowned 617 Squadron veterans and issued conservation matted to include the original autographs of some of the most famous names to serve with the unit during WWII. Completing the portfolio is a matching-numbered copy of a book written by one of the last WWII survivors of the Squadron.
The Signed Book:
BOMB DOORS OPEN by Flt Lt KEN TRENT DFC*
Ken Trent's remarkable story begins in the East End of London before taking him on a journey through RAF pilot training, to serving with 617 Squadron and completing more than forty perilous missions on Lancaster bombers over the unfriendly skies of occupied Europe. Ken recalls these events with modesty and an unfailing sense of humour which serves as an inspiration to all.
The Collector’s Edition
With FIFTEEN signatures of 617 Squadron veterans!
Restricted to just FIFTEEN copies worldwide, each portfolio contains a veteran-signed copy of the book Bomb Doors Open along with a matching-numbered copy of the print Major Missions which is also signed by two highly-regarded 617 Squadron veterans:
Flight Lieutenant KEN TRENT DFC* (Pilot) – book
Wing Commander JOHN BELL MBE DFC (Bomb-Aimer) – print
Squadron Leader BENNY GOODMAN (Pilot) – print
Each print is then matted to full conservation standards to include a further twelve original autographs of 617 veterans who served during WWII, creating a total of fifteen signatures across the portfolio:
Squadron Leader ‘MAC’ HAMILTON DFC* (Pilot)
Warrant Officer FRANK TILLEY (Flight Engineer)
Flight Lieutenant BILL REID VC (Pilot)
Group Captain JAMES ‘WILLIE’ TAIT DSO*** DFC* (Pilot)
Group Captain LEONARD CHESHIRE VC OM DSO** DFC* (Pilot)
Flight Lieutenant BOB KNIGHTS DSO DFC (Pilot)
Squadron Leader TONY IVESON DFC AE (Pilot)
Squadron Leader GEORGE ‘JOHNNY’ JOHNSON MBE DFM (Bomb-Aimer)
Sergeant RAY GRAYSTON (Flight Engineer)
Sergeant FRED SUTHERLAND (Rear Gunner)
Flight Sergeant GRANT MACDONALD (Rear Gunner)
Squadron Leader LES MUNRO DSO DFC (Pilot)
The Veterans Edition
With TWENTY-FIVE signatures of 617 Squadron veterans!
Featuring all components of the Collector’s Edition, this highly-prized Veterans Edition is limited to only TEN copies worldwide and includes the additional autographs of a further ten veterans of 617 Squadron, creating a total of twenty-five signatures:
Flight Lieutenant JAMES CASTAGNOLA DSO DFC* (Pilot)
Corporal KEN LUCAS (Ground Crew)
Air Marshal Sir MICK MARTIN KCB CB DSO* DFC** AFC (Pilot)
Squadron Leader DAVE SHANNON DSO* DFC* (Pilot)
Flying Officer BASIL FISH (Navigator)
Air Commodore JOHN LANGSTON CBE (Navigator)
Flight Sergeant KEN JENKINSON (Gunner)
Warrant Officer COLIN COLE (Wireless Operator)
Squadron Leader LARRY CURTIS DFC* (Wireless Operator)
Flight Lieutenant MURRAY VALENTINE (Wireless Operator)
Sizes
Image size: 19 ½” wide x 9 ½” high
Collector’s Edition approx. matted size: 25 ½” wide x 20” high
Veterans Edition approx. matted size: 25 ½” wide x 22 ½” high
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The Collectors Edition
US $835.00 UK £595.00
Edition Size - 15
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In Stock |
The Veterans Edition
US $1250.00 UK £895.00
Edition Size - 10
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Sold Out |
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