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Simon Atack

Overall print size: 31 1/4" wide x 23 1/2" high.

August Victory by Simon Atack
500 s/n prints w/ONE signature.
US $110
25 Artist's Proofs w/ONE signature.
US $165

Wing Commander Bob Doe DSO, DFC*Wing Commander Bob Doe DSO, DFC*
Joining the RAFVR in 1938, Bob Doe was posted to 234 Squadron in November 1939, and 238 Sqn. in September 1940. Achieving great success during the Battle of Britain scoring 14 and 3 shared victories, he was one of the few pilots to fly both the Hurricane and Spitfire. In October he was shot down and wounded, rejoining the squadron soon after, but in January 1941 he suffered engine failure and was forced to crash-land, suffering severe injuries resulting in plastic surgery and 22 operations. However he was able to resume operational flying in May 1941, joining 66 Squadron. He moved to 130 Sqn. in August. In July 1943 he joined 118 Squadron, then 613 Squadron flying the P51 Mustang. In October he was posted to the Far East to form 10 Sqn. Indian Air Force, which he led to Burma, flying Hurricane fighter-bombers.

    

August Victory

The Battle of Britain is totally unique in the annals of aerial conflict. Never before, or since, was there such prolonged air fighting, day in and day out, with the outcome so decisive. For one hundred days in the summer of 1940, from first light until dusk, the battle raged in the skies above southern England, the fighters of the RAF pitted against the might of the Luftwaffe. The prize was control of the sky above the English Channel - vital if Hitler's planned invasion of island Britain was to be repelled.

For this brief period in history the future of Europe, possibly the world, was held in the balance by a small band of RAF fighter pilots as they desperately defended their homeland. Outnumbered more than four to one, their skill, determination and courage won the day. By autumn the Luftwaffe was defeated, the invasion cancelled, and Herman Goering's reputation in shreds.

Simon Atack has recreated an action flown by Pilot Officer Bob Doe during a fierce battle over the South Coast, near the Isle of Wight on 18 August, 1940. Flying a Mk I Spitfire of No. 234 Squadron, Bob is seen bringing down an Me109 high over Southampton, one of 14 victories he achieved during the Battle of Britain. The third highest scoring fighter pilot of the battle, 20-year old Bob Doe was one of the few Aces to fly both Spitfires and Hurricanes during the battle. Simon captures the very essence of the most tumultuous of all aerial conflicts in his dramatic painting August Victory, with Bob flying his trusted Spitfire, "D" for Doe.