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LANCASTER UNDER ATTACK - The Masterwork Drawing
by Robert Taylor
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Resurrected from within Robert Taylor’s personal archives!
It was probably the worst nightmare a
Lancaster crew could face – stalked in the
dark night skies over Germany, hunted,
surprised and then attacked by a Luftwaffe
night fighter. Often it was too late…
Resurrected from within Robert Taylor’s
personal archives is the original Masterwork
Drawing of Lancaster Under Attack,
one of the most dramatic studies the artist
has ever produced. It was the original
concept behind his now famous and sought-
after colour print of the same name which was
published as a limited edition from an
original painting over twenty years ago.
Robert sets the scene in the night skies over
Osterfeld in December 1944 in which a
Lancaster from 626 Squadron is forced to take
evasive action as a Bf110 G-4 night-fighter
makes a close pass beneath it. Both pilots
are locked in a dangerous duel as they battle
to out-manoeuvre each other. The Lancaster,
hampered by damage, jinks through the
darkness whilst the Luftwaffe pilot is forced
to quickly dive away to avoid the stream of
tracer emanating from the bomber’s front
turret. The contest could go either way.
To achieve accuracy, Robert consulted
veterans from both sides of the drama. Flight
Lieutenant Bill Reid who served as a pilot on
Lancasters with 61 and 617 Squadrons and was
the recipient of the Victoria Cross, provided
a chilling insight into what it was like
being on the receiving end of such an
encounter. At the same time, Major Martin
Drewes, one of the most formidable Luftwaffe
night-fighter pilots of the war, described
such an action from the attacker’s point of
view. On seeing this drawing, Drewes said he
was ‘deeply impressed by Robert’s unrivalled
artistry and insight’. Both men went on to
sign the limited edition print of Robert’s
painting and are now also featured as part of
this highly-restricted Masterwork edition.
Overall matted size approx: 26” wide x 22 ¾” high
Image size approx: 19 ½” wide x 11 ½” high
Only 25 copies of this high quality giclée fine art print are available worldwide through the Military Gallery, Robert’s exclusive publisher for more than forty years. Remembering the duels that took place in the night skies over Europe during the Second World War, each print is issued mounted to full conservation standards as the centrepiece of this release to include the original autographs of both RAF Lancaster crews and Luftwaffe night-fighter veterans.
The Signatures
Joining artist Robert Taylor in signing every print are two highly regarded aircrew who flew Lancasters with RAF Bomber Command during WWII:
Wing Commander JOHN BELL MBE DFC Ld’H – Bomb Aimer with 619 & 617 Sqns
Flight Lieutenant RUSSELL WAUGHMAN DFC AFC Ld’H – Pilot with 101 (Special Duties) Sqn
To complete the TEN signature composition, each print is then matted to full conservation standards to include the original autographs of a further three WWII Lancaster aircrew and Luftwaffe Me110 night-fighter pilots, all of whom flew in combat over Europe during the Second World War:
Flight Lieutenant BILL REID VC – Pilot with 61 & 617 Sqns
Squadron Leader TONY IVESON DFC – Pilot with 616 & 617 Sqns
Squadron Leader NORMAN SCRIVENER DSO DFC – Navigator with 75 (NZ) 97 & 83 (Pathfinder) Sqns
Gruppenkommandeur MARTIN DREWES Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves – Pilot with ZG76, NJG3 & NJG1 / 52 victories
Major WERNER HOFFMAN Knight’s Cross – Pilot with ZG52 & NJG3 / 52 victories
Oberst WOLFGANG FALCK Knight’s Cross – Pilot with ZG1 & NJG1 / 7 victories
Major PAUL ZORNER Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves – Pilot with NJG2, NJG3 & NJG100 / 59 victories
Oberfeldwebel GÜNTHER BAHR Knights Cross – Pilot with SKG210, ZG1, NJG4 & NJG6 / 37 victories
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The Veterans Edition
US $1245.00 UK £895.00
Edition Size - 25
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In Stock |
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