"Strike and Return" by Robert Taylor

Limited "Collectors" Edition.
Only 250 produced

A CLASSIC ROBERT TAYLOR MASTERWORK LIMITED EDITION COMMEMORATING THE INDOMITABLE AIRCREWS OF RAF BOMBER COMMAND

Winter in Northern Europe brings short days, long nights and, for the most part, appalling weather making navigation difficult and flying hazadous, even by today's electroniclly sophisticated standards. Throughout RAF Bomber Command's arduous six year World War 11 campaign, as if atrocious weather were not enough to contend with, day and night bomber crews faced interceptions by enemy fighters, constant flak over occuied territory, and the real and ever-present danger of mid-air collision. Add snowstorms, gale force winds, freezing temperatures and the comparatively rudimentary navigational aids available at the time, it seems a miracle they were able to continue at all. But continue they did, and whenever there was the slimmest chance of hitting an enemy target, unhesitatingly, the aircrews of Bomber Command took up the challenge. 460 Squadron, RAAF was typical of the bomber squadrons under overall command of ACM Sir Arthur Harris; squadrons manned by volunteer aircrews from Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Rhodesia, South Africa and many other nations opposed to Hitler's Nazi Germany. To a man they knew the frightening odds against comleting a tour of duty, yet many faked their ages just to join this elite band of wartime flyers.

Robert Taylor has chosen 460 Squadron for this evocative tribute to the men of RAF Bomber Command who flew the torturous day and night raids throughout WW11. Under the command of the dashing young Group Captain Hughie Edwards, VC, between 1943 - 45 the squadron took part in many of the most important raids of the war, becoming the most highly decorated squadron in Bomber Command by the end of hostilities. True to their squadron motto "Strike and Return", Robert shows Lancasters of 460 Squadron RAAF returning to RAF Binbrook in Lincolnshire following a daylight raid over Germany in the late winter of 1944. With the sun almost set, chill evening shadows lengthen on a magnificanet winter landscape dusted with snow. Lancaster J-Squared leads the mighty bombers as they descend in the fading light.

A majestic Robert Taylor print for discerning collectors of the very best in aviation art.

The edition is signed and numbered by the artist, along with the signatures of 9 veterans of RAF Bomber Command:


Squadron Leader PAT CARDON DFC AE
Flight Lieutenant BOB KNIGHTS DSO DFC
Squadron Leader TONY IVESON DFC AE
Flying Officer BILL NORTH
Group Captain DUDLEY BURNSIDE DSO OBE DFC*
Squadron Leader LAWRENCE CURTIS DFC AE
Wing Commander ERNEST RODLEY DSO DFC* AFC AE
Flight Lieutenant FRED WATTS DFC
 
The "Collectors" Edition also contains a matching numbered companion print "Night Attack" signed by Robert Taylor and RAF Lancaster pilot;

Flight Lieutenant BILL REID VC



The print has been stored flat, never framed and is supplied with its original Certificate Of Authenticity.
For security it will be shipped, rolled, in a tube.

Overall Approx Size, Main Print: 31" x 25"