Hello I'm Arthur Rayner of Spitfire Art. I commissioned this fantastic painting by Trevor Lay 10 years ago to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Avro Lancaster entering service. Amongst all the pilots who have signed copies, I was fortunate to have a pilot sign who took part in the very first daylight Lancaster raid on the M.A.N. factory at Augsburg Germany (Ernest Rodley), plus a very famous pilot (for many other reasons other than just flying Lancasters, read his notes below as well) called John Lancaster!. Please read the biography notes below. The print measures 24 inches by 20 inches and is printed on acid free 350gsm paper. I have just a few copies left. Originally, I had 500 copies of the print, 250 were multi signed as per the listing below, and 250 just artist signed. Last year I donated the artist only signed copies to the Bomber Command Association in order to raise funds for the memorial that was unveiled in London in June 2012. The image is called Safely Gathered In and is a fitting tribute to over 55 thousand men of Bomber Command who died in WW2. The biography notes shown below come as a Certificate of Authenticity signed by me. I met all of the pilots listed below in their homes with the exception of Sir Michael Beetham who I met at the RAF Club in London. This print is excellent value. You will never find these very high quality signatures on any other print, or at this price. If you are an aviation art collector you will be aware of artists such as Nicolas Trudgian and Robert Taylor whose prints star at £120 and £200 respectively, and I can categorically state that none of their prints have ever had such a collection of such signatures, and especially not with a pilot signature by the name of John Lancaster specifically. The print will be wrapped in acid free tissue paper (I have 20 years experience) and posted within a stout tube. UK insured post is £10, all overseas destinations is £15. SAFELY GATHERED IN by Trevor Lay A Bomber Command Association special edition of 250 copies. Bomber Command lost over 12300 aircraft and 55000 men in WW2. 2002 is the 60th anniversary of Arthur Harris taking over the Command, the Signed by: Flight Lieutenant John Oliver Lancaster D.F.C., 40 & 12 Sqd. John Lancaster took part in the first 1000 bomber raid on
Flight Lieutenant Alan Biffin 57 Sqd. Alan Biffin flew 19 missions, his last saw him crashing into the
Squadron Leader Malcolm "Mac" Hamilton D.F.C.* 619 & 617 Sqd. "Mac" Hamilton joined 617 under the command of Leonard Cheshire, and was given Guy Gibson's old AJ-G aircraft from the Dams raid to practice with! Amongst many targets were the Saumur Tunnel, the Dortmund-Ems canal and the Tirpitz.
Wing Commander Ernest Rodley D.F.C.* A.F.C. D.S.O. 97 & 128 Sqd. Ernest Rodley flew Manchesters in late 1941 and attacked the Scharnhorst, Prinz Eugen and Gneisenau whilst in
Group Captain James "Willie" Tait D.S.O.*** D.F.C.* 10, 35, 78 & 617 Sqd. "Willie" Tait had a highly distinguished R.A.F. career that began in 1936 lasting until his retirement. He flew Handley Page Heyfords then Whitleys with 10 Squadron. He flew Whitleys to
M.R.A.F. Sir Michael Beetham D.F.C. A.F.C. G.C.B. C.B.E. 57, 50 & 214 (post war) Sqd. Michael Beetham saw the Battle of Britain unfold during his school holidays. This inspired him and he enlisted at 18 in May 1941. His first tour was with 50 Squadron during the winter of 1943/44. He joined 57 Squadron just as the war was finishing. Highlights of his post war career included the command of 214 Squadron flying Vickers Valiants from Marham, command of R.A.F. Khomaksar, Aden, Commandant of the R.A.F. Staff College, C in C R.A.F. Germany and 2nd T.A.F., culminating in more than 5 years as Chief of the Air Staff. Sir Michael Beetham is the President of the Bomber Command Association.
Squadron Leader Tony Iveson D.F.C. 616, 92 & 617 Sqd. Tony Iveson joined 616 Squadron at Kenley on Flight Lieutenant Bob Knights D.S.O., D.F.C. 619, 617 Sqd. Bob Knights did a tour on I certify that I personally visited all pilots listed above in their homes, with the exception of Sir Michael Beetham, who I met in the RAF Club, Arthur A. C. Rayner
See my Guy Gibson postcard at http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/aviation-art-Bomber-Boys-pilot-signed-Ltd-edition-WW2-RAF-Avro-Lancaster-print-/300817749067?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item460a22944b
See my auction for a fantastic set of 80 aviation art postcards See other items
See also www.knightscrossholders.com
On 05-Dec-12 at 20:40:26 GMT, seller added the following information:
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