Don't Miss Any Special Deals - Sign Up To Our Newsletter! Product Search

Cranston Fine Arts Aviation Art and Artists Modern Era Pilot Signatures UK W Wykes-Sneyd, Ralf

Ralf Wykes-Sneyd

Commanding Officer of Prince Andrew's unit, 820 Naval Air Squadron, during the Falklands Conflict.

Ralf Wykes-Sneyd - Signed Aviation Art

Sea King Rescue by Robert Taylor. One edition. The edition features an additional signature. £80.00

Text for the above items :

Sea King Rescue by Robert Taylor. Piloting a Sea King helicopter of 820 Naval Air Squadron, Prince Andrew was first to lift off survivors after the Atlantic Conveyor was hit by an exocet missile. Robert Taylors fine painting depicts the Prince in the thick of the action.

Subsequently awarded the Air Force Cross, with the following citation :

Lieutenant Commander Wykes-Sneyd commanded 820 Squadron with flair and distinction. During the Falkland Island crisis, 820 Naval Air Squadron flew for 64 days out of 66 on a continuous 24-hour basis. The majority of the flying inside the Total Exclusion Zone was at night, in poor weather or in fog. Throughout this exceptionally protracted marathon effort the serviceability of the Squadron was exceptional with barely a sortie missed. During this period, in which his Squadron flew over 1400 sorties, he showed outstanding leadership, drive and professionalism. His own flying skills were exceptional, setting a standard which inspired equally fine achievements from his Squadron. Lieutenant Commander Wykes-Sneyd's personal qualities of cool determination and resolution in preventing submarine attack, together with the remarkable record of his Squadron, mark him out as an outstanding Squadron Commanding Officer under the most testing conditions.