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Cranston Fine Arts  Aviation Art and Artists Aviation Artists Philip West British Aviation  Spitfire |
[UP] - Beaufighter - Halifax - Hurricane - Jaguar - Lancaster - Lysander - Mosquito - Seafire - Skua - Spitfire - Stirling - Swordfish - Tornado - Vulcan - Wellington |
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| Text for the above items : |
Against All Odds by Philip West. Geoffrey Wellum joins combat head-on with a Dornier during the Battle of Britain. He was part of a small group of 10 spitfires from Biggin Hill facing 150 plus enemy bombers and fighters. Other friendly fighters joined battle but the defenders were still vastly out numbered, a scene repeated on many occasions in the summer of 1940. On this particular day Geoff scored a Heinkel destroyed, together with a Dornier as a probable. |
Battle Line by Philip West. On the 6th June 1944 the invasion of Normandy commenced. The RAF was, of course, a major combatant and formed part of a dedicated Allied force tasked with freeing Europe. VE Day finally signalled the end of hostilities on the 8th May 1945. During those bitter months many great air battles were fought in the unforgiving skies and individual combats ensued. One such combat is depicted here, displaying the eerie feeling of the victor and vanquished between two of the greatest aircraft ever built. Never before in the history of war had such an impressive and awesome gathering of aircraft come together. The Allies quest was for freedom, with the Luftwaffe fighting for its very existence - the battle lines were drawn. |
Supermarine Spitfire MkI by Philip West. High over the southern coast of England in 1940 a Spitfire (Mk 1) of 609 Squadron from Middle Wallop, flown by Flying Officer John Dundas, lies in wait for enemy aircraft (Junkers 87 divebombers) on their way to attack British naval installations at Portland. |
Spitfires - Masters of the Air by Philip West. At the end of another days hard air combat fighting over the war-torn skies of England, Spitfires of 92 Squadron enjoy a rare, peaceful moment prior to returning to base during the Battle of Britain. The few prevailed and gave us the freedom we enjoy to this day. |
Tally Ho! by Philip West. Flt. Lt. Geoffrey Wellum of 92 Squadron once again takes his trusted Spitfire into attack high over southern England. Any moment now both he and one other Spitfire pilot will be flying into hell amongst at least a dozen Luftwaffe He111s on their way to drop their bombs on London. Geoffrey Wellum together with other pilots of Fighter Command became One of the Few and fought with courage and determination. |
Spitfires - High Patrol by Philip West. A gathering section of 124 Squadron Spitfires led by Peter Ayerst climbs for height above the bomber stream and a lone Mosquito. This squadron plus many others was tasked with protecting the bombers over occupied Europe. For these long range missions the Spitfires carry 90 Gallon Slipper Tanks to extend the relatively short endurance of the aircraft. In combat with enemy fighters they would jettison the tanks. However, following a shortage, they were encouraged to bring them back if they possibly could. |
Mission Accomplished by Philip West. 17th May 1943, Sqn Ldr Frank (Jerry) Fray in his Spitfire PRX1 of 542 Squadron operating out of RAF Benson, Oxfordshire, returned alone and unarmed to gather photographic evidence from 30,000 feet of the Möhne dam having been breached earlier the same day by 617 Squadron Lancaster bombers. |
Spitfires Over the Needles by Philip West. Battle of Britain, July 1940. Spitfires of 609 Squadron returning to their satellite station airfield at Warmwell to re-arm and re-fuel, following an intercept mission against enemy aircraft trying to disrupt shipping along the South Coast of England. Like many other RAF Squadrons, No 609 the (West Riding) Auxiliary Squadron distinguished itself in many great air battles with honour and courage. |
First Light - Battle of Britain, July 1940 by Philip West. Another busy start to the day at Biggin Hill in the summer of 1940. The Battle of Britain is at its height and 92 Squadron Spitfires with Geoffrey Wellum in G for George, depart under early morning sunlight to engage a mass of incoming enemy aircraft over the southeast coast. By the end of 1940 the Squadron was credited with having destroyed 127 German aircraft. |
Spitfire Scramble by Philip West. Flt. Lt. Geoff Wellum leads this flight of Spitfires from 92 Squadron in a scramble to take on the might of the German Luftwaffe during the height of the Battle of Britain. No 92 Squadron was first formed on the 1st September 1917 at London Colney and was disbanded on 7th August 1919. Following the outbreak of the Second World War 92 Squadron reformed on 10th October 1939 at RAF Tangmere and first saw action over the Dunkirk evacuation beaches. The Squadron was the first into action on September 15, 1940, now known as Battle of Britain Day. Towards the end of the Battle of Britain 92 Squadron flew from Biggin Hill. By the end of 1940 the Squadron tally stood at 127 German aircraft destroyed. |
Spitfire Patrol by Philip West. One summers evening, Douglas Bader (flying Mk V Spitfire without cannons) and Johnnie Johnson (flying the Mk VB Spitfire with cannons) of the Tangmere Wing, share a few moments of peaceful flying whilst on patrol over the English Channel. |
Southern Patrol by Philip West. During the battle of Britain, 609 Squadron (PR) and 152 Squadron (UM) were pitting themselves against the Luftwaffe. 609 based at Middle Wallop near Andover and 152 operating from Warmwell were tasked with protecting part of 10 Groups Southern Sector. |
Over the Beaches by Philip West. In the early hours of 6th June 1944, the campaign to liberate europe began following many months, if not years of planning and preparation. The RAF was heavily committed in support of allied land and sea forces flying combat air patrols, ground attack and reconnaissance missions. After a further year of fighting a hard fought victory was achieved. |
Top Cover by Philip West. Flt/Lt John Dundas, having already notched up eleven victories to his name during the Battle of Britain 1940, is viewed out on the last patrol of the day off the Isle of Wight. In a few moments he will be heading back to his base at Middle Wallop. Days later, John Dundas shot down the then leading German air-ace, Major Helmut Wick. Sadly Dundas, in turn, lost his life to Wick's wingman. He had fought with bravery but like so many of the few he paid the ultimate price, fighting for our freedom. |
Fleeting Moments by Philip West. Few people become a legend in their own lifetime. Douglas Bader was one such person. An exceptional pilot and leader, t the age of 21, as a young RAF officer, he had both legs amputated after he crashed his aircraft. Through sheer guts and determination he learnt not only to walk again, but also fly, subsequently becoming the RAFs most famous WW2 fighter pilot. Flying his Spitfire with the unmistakable DB markings, Wing Commander Bader with his wingman close by, heads home to Tangmere after another successful, action-packed day, taking on swarms of enemy aircraft intent on wreaking havoc over the south of England. |
Winter of 41 by Philip West. Heavy snow during the winter of 1941 often kept pilots and their aircraft grounded, despite the best efforts of the ground crew. Spitfire G George - based at RAF Manston and assigned to Flt. Lt. Geoffrey Wellum, could only resume combat sweeps over northern Europe once the storm had passed and they were all satisfied the aircraft was safe to fly. |
Spitfires - Malta Bound by Philip West. On the 11th August 1942, Flight Lieutenant Geoffrey Wellum DFC, having just taken off from the deck of HMS Furious, leads his section of gathering Spitfires on the long journey to Malta. They are much-needed reinforcements for the beleaguered island, now in the twenty-sixth month of its siege. To enable each of the 38 Spitfires dispatched from Furious to reach Malta, over three hours flying time away, they carry maximum fuel together with a centre-line over-load tank. Even their ammunition is removed to save weight. Escorting Furious to her aft is the Cruiser HMS Manchester together with Destroyers Brave and Lithe. To their port side is the Ohio tanker laden with fuel during what became an epic voyage. In the distance HMS Eagle succumbs to an Axis torpedo attack. The success of Operation Pedestal was absolutely critical for the survival of Malta, bringing desperately needed fuel, food and ammunition to the Island. Losses were heavy but the courage and determination by all involved prevailed: five of the fourteen merchant ships, including the Ohio, made it through and the island was saved. |
Defending the Realm by Philip West. The White Cliffs at Dover patrolled and protected by two magnificent Spitfires. A sight to bring back memories of days, thankfully long gone, when the future of Great Britain was at stake. |
Evening Glory by Philip West. Without doubt the most famous British fighter aircraft. It always inspired devotion from pilots and mechanics alike - to this very day. Flight Lt. Geoff Wellum in his 92 Sqn. Spitfire, during an all-too rare quiet moment, one evening during the summer of 1940 - the height of the Battle of Britain. The aircraft that inspired devotion from pilots and mechanics alike, and such statements as - she really was the perfect flying machine; she hadn't got a vice at all - was also admired by those on the ground. In propaganda posters and illustrations, the Spitfire represented Britains defiance and commitment to ultimate victory. |
In Defence of Britain by Philip West. Spitfires (MkI) of 92 Squadron out of Biggin Hill in September 1940 are about to take on the enemy during the Battle of Britain. The aircraft in the background was flown by Pilot Officer Alan Wright - his list of victories was eleven, three destroyed, two probables, two possibles and seven damaged. |
Pride of Britain by Philip West. The winter of 41 is remembered well by Geoffrey Wellum, pilot of Spitfire G for George. Bitter cold and heavy snow during this Battle of Britain period made flying conditions almost unbearable. The ground-crews job at RAF Manston, never easy at the best of times, involved working in all weathers to keep the aircraft in a state of readiness for the pilots to return to the battle at the earliest opportunity. |
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