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THE HARD DAY'S EVE
by Piotr Górka
Spitfires of No.54 Squadron RAF return to his base in Hournchurch during Battle of Britain. Spitfire KL-B uswally was flown by New Zeland ace Al Deere, but KL-A was flown by another New Zelander ace Colin Gray.
L/E 330 Lithography Limited Edition signed & numbered prints
Each of these editions are individual numbered Including Certyficate of Autenticy
Overall print size: 25 1/2"wide 18 1/2"high 64 cm x 46 cm Image size : 22"wide 13 1/2"high 55 cm x 34 cm
Printed on HQ Acid and Chlorin Free Permanent Paper 250 Gr Specially dedicated to printing reproductions of works of art. will be sent rolled in hardened tubes.
S/N 330 signed by artist and
F/Lt LUDWIK MARTEL VM5cl KW**
No 54 and 603 Squadrons, in the Battle of Britain. After the BoB he was served in 317 sqn. Polish Air Force on exile and elite Polish Fighting Team in Tunis (spring 1943) He shot down, 2 enemy aircraft, 1 probability and 2 damaged.
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ABOUT ARTIST
Piotr Górka - born in Krakow, professional graphic designer, he has established a strong reputation as a leading Polish aviation artist, specializing in the subject of World War II. One of the most recognizable Polish aviation artists. A graduate Master of Arts of the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, he worked for many years as an illustrator to different publishing houses . His oil paintings depict the history of Polish aviation during World War II. For over thirty years of creating them, he used the help and advice of Polish aviators, veterans of World War II. During this period, he closely cooperated with the Veterans Association PAF in Great Britain, as well as the PAF association in the USA, Canada and Australia.He copied his paintings lithographically and printed them in short, exclusive series. These prints, personally signed by many aces of the Polish Air Force, are a kind of historical trace. His PAF veteran collection signatures, the only one in the world, are truly unique and very exclusive. Piotr Górka has presented his works at many group and individual exhibitions. In cooperation with the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow, he presented them at the Deutsches Museum Flugwerft Munich. His paintings have been exhibited in Great Britain in collaboration with the Guild of Aviation Artist, as well as at the renowned Aces High. gallery in Wendover UK. His works adorn many private collections and remind of the achievements of the Polish Air Force in many official institutions in the country and abroad. His works adorn many private collections and remind of the achievements of the Polish Air Force in many official institutions in the country and abroad
HISTORY
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Before Polish Air Force were part of the Polish Army abroad, nearly 100 Polish pilots had reinforced established fighter squadrons (including Blenheim night fighting units). Poles would frequently move from one unit to another, and many fought with two or more RAF squadrons. During of Battle of Britain they flew operationally with Nos 17, 23, 32, 43, 54, 56, 65, 74, 85, 111,145, 151, 152, 213, 229, 234, 238, 249, 253, 257, 501, 601, 603, 607, 609, and 615 Sqns. In these hardest days four Polish airmen served on 54 Squadron. They were: Wojciech Klozinski, Walenty Krepski, Ludwik Alfred Martel and Leon Switon. |
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During operational sorties on 7 September the Spitfire-equipped 54 Squadron lost two pilots. P/O Saunders was killed when his aircraft dived into the ground from low atitude. The same day one of the Poles, P/O Walenty Krepski, was reported missing during an operational flight in the Whitby area. Probably his Spitfire I, R6901, hit the water while flying low near Flamborough. 54 Squadron ORB stated that. |
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'his very limited English vocabulary was certainly a contributory factor in this unlucky and regretted mishap' |
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Only a few days before, on 3 September, 54 Squadron had moved from Hornchurch to RAF Catterick. By this time only seven pilots remained of the original team from the early stage of Battle of Britain. Among replacement pilots were two Polish airmen: P/O Walenty Krepski and P/O Ludwik Martel. Krepski was the second Polish pilot lost by this squadron after Klozinski was shot down and wounded on 15 August. P/O Ludwik Martel, on the other hand, would fly Spitfires throughout the rest of the Battle of Britain, although at the end of this month he would move to 603 Squadron.
Condition : Brand new, high condition and includes the Certificate of authenticity and leaflets. Returns : Seller does not accept returns
Please note: The prints in my store are hand-signed by the Polish Air Force WWII veterans involved in the painting so the signatures are original autographs and not reproductions.
THE SIGNATURES Pilot who flew Spitfires during the Battle of Britain: F/Lt LUDWIK MARTEL VM 5cl KW
This Art Print was Published in 1996, in limited edition includes iconic Battle of Britain signature giving collectors and autograph hunters alike a very unique opportunity to acquire this seldom seen piece.
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