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Cranston Fine Arts Aviation Art and Artists World War Two Countries UK

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Into the Blue by Simon Atack. 3 editions. All 3 editions feature up to 2 additional signature(s). £80.00 - £150.00

Gunner's Moon by Ivan Berryman. 9 of 10 editions available. All 6 editions featuring up to 3 additional signatures are available. £2.90 - £250.00

Guardian Angels by Ivan Berryman. 5 of 6 editions available. All 3 editions featuring up to 4 additional signatures are available. £2.90 - £340.00

Swordfish Attack on U-652 by Jason Askew. (P) One edition. The edition features 2 additional signature(s). £300.00

Battle of Britain by Stan Stokes. 2 of 3 editions available. £35.00 - £145.00

A Hard Lesson to Learn by Adrian Rigby. One edition. The edition features an additional signature. £150.00

Tribute to William Pitt-Brown by Ivan Berryman. 8 editions. £2.90 - £1100.00

Inbound to Target - The Dambusters by Robert Taylor. One of 3 editions available. All 3 editions feature up to 12 additional signatures. £135.00

Preparing for Action by Robin Smith. One edition. £80.00

Vital Support by Robert Taylor. 2 editions. Both editions feature up to 12 additional signatures. £135.00 - £325.00

Final Preparations by Philip West. 2 editions. Both editions feature up to 4 additional signatures. £150.00 - £195.00

Fairey Swordfish Mk I W5984 H. by M A Kinnear. One edition. £10.00

Wings of Dawn by Philip West. One of 3 editions available. The available edition features an additional signature. £160.00

First Flap of the Day by Nicolas Trudgian. 7 editions. 6 of the 7 editions feature up to 4 additional signatures. £105.00 - £200.00

Glorious Summer by Robert Taylor 2 of 3 editions available. All 3 editions feature up to 21 additional signatures. £260.00 - £635.00

No Turning Back by Robert Taylor. 3 editions. All 3 editions feature up to 12 additional signature(s). £210.00 - £325.00

The Jaws of Victory by Ivan Berryman. 2 of 3 editions available. All 3 editions feature an additional signature. £60.00 - £85.00

Tribute to the 617 Sqn Dambusters Crew of Lancaster AJ-P by David Pentland. 3 editions. All 3 editions feature an additional signature. £65.00 - £480.00

Land, Sea and Air by Ivan Berryman. 13 editions. 7 of the 13 editions feature up to 2 additional signatures. £2.90 - £400.00

Adversaries by Ivan Berryman. 11 of 12 editions available. 5 of 6 editions featuring up to 4 additional signatures are available. £2.90 - £4000.00

Height of the Battle by Robert Taylor. (GS) One edition. £525.00

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Text for the above items :

Into the Blue by Simon Atack. A classic view of a Mk I Spitfire belonging to 609 Squadron, flown by Battle of Britain ace John Bisdee, high over South East England in that fateful summer of 1940. After the first fifteen months of the war this famous fighter squadron, initially made up of week-end flyers, became the first RAF squadron to claim 100 victories. Made up of pilots from so many nations, 609 Squadron was described as the most international brotherhood in arms since the Crusades. This evocative image, endorsed by Battle of Britain Spitfire pilots, pays tribute to all those who flew and fought this supreme little fighter in the hostile skies of war-torn Europe, so long ago.

Gunner's Moon by Ivan Berryman. On the night of 7th-8th June 1944, a Lancaster of No.207 Sqn piloted by Wing Commander John Grey was part of a force of 112 bombers and 10 Mosquitoes sent to attack a tank storage park near Cerisy-la-Foret. With the D-Day landings just 48 hours old, it was considered too risky to leave the tank park intact, should the Germans try to launch a counter thrust from this position, just 20 miles from the French coast near Bayeux. Shortly after crossing the coast, Greys aircraft was attacked by a JU.88 and both the mid upper gunner Sutherland and tail gunner McIntosh opened fire on their pursuer and sent it down in flames. No sooner had they recovered from this fright when a second JU.88 closed in on them. Again, both gunners combined their fire and destroyed the enemy aircraft in mid air. Grey pressed on to the target where their bombs fell on the enemy tank depot, also destroying some fuel dumps and an important road junction. Returning to the French coast to begin their journey home, they were attacked yet again, this time by a Messerschmitt Bf 110. With machine-like precision, McIntosh and Sutherland opened fire together, claiming their third victim in a single night. For this extraordinary feat, both gunners were awarded the DFC.

Guardian Angels by Ivan Berryman. Flt Lt Alex Thom in his Spitfire MkVc LK-P of 87 Squadron escorting a convoy with his wingman.

Swordfish Attack on U-652 by Jason Askew. (P) On 2nd June 1942 U-652 was scuttled after sustaining heavy damage from an attack by Swordfish aircraft. All the crew of the submarine were safe as she was sunk by torpedoes from U-81.

Battle of Britain by Stan Stokes. The Battle of Britain in 1940 was the biggest air battle ever fought in the history of armed conflict. After the fall of France Hitler hoped to sign a peace treaty with Britain allowing the Germans to dominate Europe, and ultimately attack Russia in the East. Being rebuffed by the British, Hitler and his senior military advisors formulated Operation Sea Lion. This was to involve an invasion of Britain after the Luftwaffe had attained total domination over the RAF. As plans evolved for knocking out the RAF, the Germans began assembling a large number of airfields in Holland, France, and Belgium to be used for the attack. In their arsenal the Germans had more than 800 medium range bombers including the Heinkel He-111, the Junker Ju-88, and the Dornier Do-17. They also had more than 200 Ju-87 Stuka dive bombers, and more than 900 Bf-109 and Bf-110 fighters to escort their attacking forces. The British had far less than 1000 defensive aircraft at their disposal with Hawker Hurricanes outnumbering Supermarine Spitfires about 2-to-1. Despite the Germans numerical superiority the British had at least five advantages in this epic Battle. First, radar allowed the Brits to determine where to target its fighter defenses. Second, when British aircraft were downed many of the pilots were recovered and returned to flight duty. When German aircraft were downed the pilots became British POWs. Third, the BF-109, Germanys best fighter, had limited range, and generally could spend only about twenty minutes over British soil before having to return to Europe. Fourth, the British dispersed their defensive forces widely into many small groups, eliminating the ability of the Luftwaffe to deliver a knockout punch on the ground. Fifth, the RAF pilots were surprisingly well trained, and while few in number were supplemented with volunteers from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa, and the United States. Also important was the tenacity of the RAF support staff that kept an amazing amount of the aircraft in the air. The man most responsible for the British victory was Air Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, head of Fighter Command. In the first phase of the Battle the Luftwaffe focused its efforts on knocking out RAF airfields. The RAF lost 50 fighters in the first 10-days. This resulted in modified tactics permitting looser formation flying similar to that employed by the Germans. The Germans suffered too with the Bf-110 and Ju-87 proving particularly vulnerable. In August Hitler authorized a massive attack called Eagle Day that was designed to obliterate the RAF by attacking coastal radar stations. Again the German effort fell far short and later in August the Germans had one of their worst days losing 75 aircraft on Black Thursday. In late August the German tactics changed again with the focus now on destroying RAF fighters in the air. In a two-week period ending on September 6, the RAF lost 466 fighter aircraft, taking the Germans to their closest point of victory during the Battle. The turning point in the Battle is generally acknowledged to be September 7 when the Germans shifted focus to general attacks on London. This gave the RAF a breather, and on September 15 they took down 60 Luftwaffe aircraft. The losses on the 15th convinced the Germans that their strategy had failed and they slowly retrenched their attacks. September 15 is celebrated in Britain as Battle of Britain Day.

A Hard Lesson to Learn by Adrian Rigby. On 18th December 1939, a force of Wellington bombers attacked naval targets on the German coast. On the return journey, they were attacked by enemy fighters, for over half an hour, bringing down 7 of the 22 Wellingtons. A further 5 would be forced to crash land in England. One of the surviving aircraft was flown by Sergeant Frank Petts who, in a futile attempt to shake off his attacker, dived to sea level. Despite sustaining considerable damage and with two of his crew wounded, he brought the bomber safely home. The experience of the raid forced the RAF to switch to night-time sorties, bombers were clearly too vulnerable without fighter escort. Six months later, during the Battle of Britain, the Luftwaffe would learn the same lesson.

Tribute to William Pitt-Brown by Ivan Berryman. William Pitt-Brown was a ground-attack Typhoon pilot during the Normandy campaign. Prior to this he served on the North-West Frontier flying Wapati and Valencia aircraft with No.31 Sqn, before flying Curtiss Mohawks with No.5 Sqn on the Arakan and Imphal fronts in the Burma campaign. During the Normandy campaign, he commanded No.174 Sqn the led 121 Wing, completing more than 100 missions. Shown here in Curtiss Mohawk IV of No.5 Sqn, Arakan, William Pitt-Brown went on to high command of the Royal Air Force.

Inbound to Target - The Dambusters by Robert Taylor. The crews of 617 Squadron that took part in the epic Dambusters raid on the night of 16/17 May 1943 were among the finest in the RAF. They were the elite of Bomber Command, and when they left RAF Scampton that night, the skills of their pilots - some of the finest of the Second World War, would be tested to the limit. First, they must guide their aircraft across heavily defended enemy territory at altitudes often as low as fifty feet, dodging flak, trees, buildings and power lines. And then they must attack their targets with a precision unmatched in the annals of the RAF. Of all the pilots who took to the skies that night, no-one was more accomplished at low-level flying than Flight Lieutenant Mick Martin, and it is his aircraft, Lancaster AJ-P that is the subject of this artwork. In company with Flight Lieutenant John Hopgood in the distance, they follow one of the many canals of Holland, wingtips barely missing the sails of the windmills, en-route to the Mohne Dam.

Preparing for Action by Robin Smith. A Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb of 303 (Polish Sqn) flown by CO. Sqn. Ldr. J Zumbach. A quick and efficient turnaround of fighting aircraft on the front line was of paramount importance, and much was left in the hands of the all important ground crew. The importance of the so called erks which included such duties as armourers, re-fuelers, engine and airframe technicians etc. is often forgotten. Let us remember that without these people the aircraft would never have been able to take part in any action at all, and many were killed doing their duty on the ground. The image also helps to promote the fact that flying along side the Spitfires were Hawker Hurricanes, as one is indeed landing in the background.

Vital Support by Robert Taylor. Crucial to every squadron in the RAF were the unsung heroes of World War II - the ground crew. Without the vital support of these dedicated men who refuelled the aircraft, rearmed them, maintained them and kept them flying, the pilots and aircrew would, quite simply, never have got into the air. Robert Taylors drawing Vital Support shows ground crew bombing up a Mosquito of RAF Bomber Command.

Final Preparations by Philip West. Soon to be cloaked in darkness, Wellington aircraft of 150 Squadron, RAF Newton, Nottinghamshire, prepare for another dangerous mission, never knowing if they would return.

Fairey Swordfish Mk I W5984 H. by M A Kinnear. Aircraft History: W5984 was built by Blackburn Aircraft Ltd at Sherburn-in-Elmet near Leeds and was delivered to 825 Squadron 1st January 1942. The aircraft was crewed by Lieutenant Commander E Esmonde DSO (Pilot) Lieutenant W H Williams (Observer) and Leading Airman W J Clinton (Telegraphist/ Air Gunner) Sadly on 12th February 1942, W5984 was shot down over the English Channel whilst leading Operation Fuller, the attack against the German ships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen. All three crew were killed. Lieutenant Commander Eugene Esmonde VC DSO: Born 1st March 1909 in Ireland, Esmonde joined the Royal Air Force in 1928 as a fighter pilot. He left the RAF in 1933 and joined Imperial Airways, flying passengers, mail and freight to Australia and the Far East. In January 1939 he was offered a commission in the Fleet Air Arm as a Lieutenant Commander of 825 squadron. On 23rd May 1941, Esmonde led his squadron on a search for the Bismarck. After locating the target, he led 825 into the attack. Flying through heavy anti-aircraft fire, one of 825s torpedoes hit the Bismarck amidships. For his courage and skill Esmonde was awarded the DSO. On 12th February 1942, 825 took off from RAF Manston to attack the German ships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen, in the English Channel. Despite heavy anti aircraft fire, and ferocious attacks by enemy fighters, the six Swordfish bravely pressed home their attack, but all 6 were shot down. Out of a total of 18 aircrew only five survived, four of whom were wounded. Esmondes aircraft was seen crashing in flames into the sea. His body was later found washed ashore at the mouth of the River Medway, April 1942. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

Wings of Dawn by Philip West. The legendary, much loved and respected wooden wonder Mosquito was perhaps the best twin-engined fighter-bomber of its size to see combat action during WW11. More than 7,700 de Havilland Mosquitoes were produced and served in many versions, from fighters, night fighters, bombers, attack aircraft, trainers, reconnaissance aircraft, torpedo bombers and civil transports.

First Flap of the Day by Nicolas Trudgian. HM Stephen - one of the Battle of Britains top scoring fighter pilots, brings down two Me109s in quick succession over the White Cliffs of Dover, early on August 11, 1940. Flying a Spitfire with 74 Squadron, HM shot down five German aircraft on this day, and damaged a further three. The note in his log book starts First flap of the day at 0600 hrs ... Published 2000. Sadly, all of the pilots who signed this edition have since passed away.

Glorious Summer by Robert Taylor Throughout the long hot summer of 1940 the destiny of the British Isles, indeed the future of Europe, lay in the hands of a small band of young RAF fighter pilots. Against them stood the vast aerial fleets of an all-powerful Luftwaffe, gloating and confident from its victories in Poland, France and the Low Countries. Lying in wait across the Channel, anticipating an easy victory by its air force, were the armies of the most powerful tyrant the world had ever known. With Europe already succumbed to Nazi rule, Britain was alone, the last bastion among the free nations to stand against an evil empire bent upon world domination. The battle, the first ever to be fought entirely in the air, would change the course of history, whatever the outcome. Outnumbered more than five to one at the outset, the odds were so heavily stacked against the RAF, the task looked hopeless. But as the ferocious aerial battles continued through the long summer months, the tactical skills, devotion and raw courage of the RAF's young flyers, gradually turned the tide. By September end, the battle was won and the defeated Luftwaffe retired to its plundered territories to lick its wounds. Image shows nearest, young Pilot Officer Geoffrey Page, later to become one of the RAFs most highly decorated fighter aces, powers his Mk I Hurricane over the country lane at the edge of the airfield, as he and his fellow No 56 Squadron pilots make their third scramble of the day.

No Turning Back by Robert Taylor. A Lancaster of No. 61 Squadron, RAF, piloted by Flt. Lt. Bill Reid, under attack from a German Fw190 en route to Dusseldorf on the night of November 3rd, 1943. Already injured in a previous attack, Bill Reid was again wounded but pressed on for another 50 minutes to bomb the target, then fly his badly damaged aircraft on the long journey home. The courage and devotion to duty that earned Bill Reid the Victoria Cross, was a hallmark of RAF bomber crews throughout their long six year campaign.

The Jaws of Victory by Ivan Berryman. Group Captain Billy Drake in Curtiss P.40 AL161 of 112 Sqn downing a Stuka during the North Africa Campaign in 1942.

Tribute to the 617 Sqn Dambusters Crew of Lancaster AJ-P by David Pentland. The image shows Lancaster AJ-P attacking the Mohne dam. Alongside is the portrait of AJ-P pilot Flt Lt H B Martin. This aircraft was the third to attack the Mohne dam, and although the bomb was dropped successfully, it veered to the side of the dam and exploded off target. The aircraft returned safely. Crew of P for Popsie : Pilot : Flt Lt H B Martin Flight Engineer : Plt Off I Whittaker Navigator : Flt Lt J F Leggo Wireless Operator : Flg Off L Chambers Bomb Aimer : Flt Lt R C Hay Front Gunner : Plt Off B T Foxlee Rear Gunner : Flt Sgt T D Simpson.

Land, Sea and Air by Ivan Berryman. Spitfire of 761 Training Squadron (attached to the Royal Navy) flies over the Forth Railway Bridge on the eve of World War Two, also shown is HMS Royal Oak departing Rosyth for the open sea.

Adversaries by Ivan Berryman. No one knows for certain whether the two great fighter aces Douglas Bader and Adolf Galland actually fought each other in a one-on-one combat, but it is thought highly likely that they did as the famous Tangmere Wing led by Bader regularly found itself dueling with the Bf.109s of JG.26 led by Galland. Their great rivalry came to an end in August 1941 when Bader was shot down over St Omer, but these two heroes were to become close friends after the war, each having the utmost respect for the other.

Height of the Battle by Robert Taylor. (GS) Continuing his popular series of Giclee Studio Proofs on canvas, Robert Taylor portrays Squadron Leader 'Sailor' Malan DFC, Commanding Officer of 74 Squadron and one of the great Battle of Britain Aces, in his famous painting Height of the Battle. Having already made one diving attack into the force of Luftwaffe He111 bombers approaching London with their fighter escort, 'Sailor' peels his Spitfire over for a second attack. Another top Ace, Pilot Officer Harbourne Stephen DFC, is hard on his heels. Below them, typifying the scene as it was on the afternoon of Wednesday 11 September 1940, Mk.I Hurricanes from 17 and 56 Squadrons have already joined the fray.