Glorious Summer by Robert Taylor

Throughout the long hot summer of 1940 the destiny of the British Isles, indeed the future of Europe, laid 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 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.

Out numbered more than five to one at the outset, the odds were so heavily stacked against the RAF, the task looked almost 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.

The Ace's Edition signatures:

Air Commodore Peter Brothers CBE DSO DFC - 32 Squadron - Battle of Britain Flight Commander - 16 victories

Wing Commander Christopher 'Bunny' Currant DSI DFC - 605 Squadron - 12 ½ victories

Group Captain Dennis David CBE DFC AFC - 87 Squadron - 16 victories plus 5 unconfirmed

Group Captain Billy Drake DSO DFC - 1 Squadron and 421 Flt. - 24 ½ victories

Wing Commander Paul Farnes DFM - 501 Squadron - 8 victories plus 1 possible

Wing Commander GORDON SINCLAIR OBE DFC - 310 Squadron - 10 victories

Overall print size: 33" x 24 1/4".

Image size: 26 1/2" x 16".

Mark I Hawker Hurricanes of No 56 Squadron make their third scramble of the day during the early stages of the Battle of Britain, to repulse incessant heavy attacks by German aircraft on the RAF airfields of 11 Group, July 1940.

The second issue in Robert Taylor's new Battle of Britain Trilogy, featuring the memorable Hawker Hurricane, backbone of RAF Fighter Command. Individually signed by Hurricane pilots who flew in this epic battle.

Glorious Summer by Robert Taylor
The Aces Edition
500 signed and numbered prints, signed by SIX Aces who flew Hurricanes in the Battle of Britain.	US $295

50 Artist's Proofs.	US $500

The Millennium Proofs Individually numbered 1 - 250 and issued with matching numbered companion drawing.
250 signed and numbered proofs, signed by THIRTEEN additional Battle of Britain Hurricane pilots and two Beaufighter pilots, making a total of TWENTY ONE signatures.	SOLD OUT
25 Remarques, signed by TWENTY TWO signatories.	SOLD OUT

The Millennium Proofs: (Individually numbered 1 - 250 and issued with matching numbered companion drawing.)

Hunters Of The Night
Companion Print

Overall print size: 18 1/2" x 13 1/4"

In the wake of the Munich crisis of 1938 the RAF was desperately short of modern fighters. It needed a long range heavy fighter in the shortest possible time - and so within just 8 months from the conception to first flight the Beaufighter was born. It entered service in July 1940, and reinforced Britain's desperately needed defence during the Battle of Britain. From night fighter to daytime ground attack aircraft it became one of the great strike aircraft of World War II.

Air Commodore CYRIL BROWN CBE AFC AE - 245 Squadron

Air Vice Marshal EDWARD CREW CB DSO DFC - 604 Squadron (Hunters Of The Night drawing)

Group Captain JOHN CUNNINGHAM CBE DSO DFC AE DL FRAeS - 604 Squadron (Hunters Of The Night drawing)

Air Commodore JOHN ELLACOMBE CB DFC* - 151 Squadron

Wing Commander BOB FOSTER DFC - 605 Squadron

Warrant Officer PETER FOX - 56 Squadron

Flight Lieutenant PETER HAIRS MBE - 501 Squadron

Squadron Leader PERCY MORFILL DFM - 501 Squadron

Group Captain ALAN MURRAY DFC - 46, 501 and 73 Squadron

Wing Commander TOM NEIL DFC AFC - 249 Squadron

Wing Commander PETER PARROTT DFC AFC - 145 and 605 Squadron

Group Captain JOHN PEEL DFC DSO - 145 Squadron

Squadron Leader ARTHUR 'Bill' POND AFC - 601 Squadron

Squadron Leader CHRISTOPHER RIDDLE - 601 Squadron

Captain TOMMY THOMPSON DFC JP BOAC/BA - 85 and 249 Squadron

Each of these magnificient prints is signed by the artist and two of the RAF's most successful night fighter pilots of World War II - John Cunningham and Edward Crew, of 604 Squadron.

Group Captain John Cunningham OBE DSO
One of the great night fighter pilots of World War II, John Cunningham was a test pilot with Geoffrey de Havilland before the war, and flew with 604 Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force. 604 converted to night fighter operations during the Battle of Britain and he gained the squadron's first victory with AC Phillipson. His success mounted considerably (with Jimmy Rawnsley now as his radio operator). He took command of 604 Squadron in August 1941, and later commanded 85 Squadron flying Mosquitos. He finished the war with 20 victories to his credit. After the war he became de Havilland's chief test pilot pioneering such aircraft as the Vampire, Vixen, Comet and Trident.

Air Vice Marshal EDWARD CREW CB DSO* DFC*
Ted Crew joined 604 Squadron in July 1940 and scored his first victory on August 11. By summer of 1941, flying with Sgt. Guthrie as radio operator, his tally had climbed to 6. In early 1942 he was appointed 'A' flight commander. Later, flying Mosquitos, he had further successes. Between June and September 1944 he destoyed 21 V1s at night over southern England. He ended the war with a total of 12 1/2 victories.

The Millennium Proof Remarques also include the signature of:

Wing Commander GEOFFREY PAGE DSO OBE DFC - 56 Squadron - 12 1/2 victories

With several Battle of Britain victories already to his credit, on August 12 Geoffrey Page and nine other Hurricane pilots attacked an in-coming raid of seventy plus Dornier 17s. His Hurricane was hit and burst into flames. Badly burned he bailed out, landing in the sea off the Kent coast; he was rescued and spent the next two years in the hospital. By 1943 this courageous fighter Ace had returned to combat flying leading 132 Squadron, then a wing of four squadrons.