To
fly a small aircraft at the dead of night, without radio communication
or navigational assistance, deep into enemy-occupied territory,
was an extremely perilous task. To then land on an unlit remote
field, deliver secret agents, collect Resistance leaders,
or downed airmen and fly them home without attracting the
attentions of enemy night-fighters, was appallingly risky
work. Yet throughout World War II the prime function of the
pilots of the RAF's Special Duties Squadrons was to fly time
and again into occupied France, in utmost secrecy, under the
cover of darkness. It was acutely dangerous work requiring
inordinate flying and navigational skills, and supreme courage.
Most suited to these clandestine
operations was the rugged Westland Lysander, operations being
conducted, and weather permitting, during the moon's fullest
phase. Guided only by torch-light, the pilot made a hazardous
night landing into an isolated field at a pre-arranged time,
trusting that agents on the ground had checked the field for
cart tracts and loitering Gestapo. Every mission required
ice cool bravery and nerves of steel.
Robert Taylor captures to perfection
the secret world of the Special Operations pilot with his
atmospheric painting 'They Landed by Moonlight'. Packed with
tension, he recreates the high drama of a typical rendezvous
as a pilot from No. 161 Squadron based at Tangmere, readies
his aircraft for take-off in a remote field deep inside occupied
France. Clutching a Luger in one hand, he completes pre-take-off
checks, as three passengers are spirited away by an armed
member of the French Resistance. It is July 1943.
Prints in this rare and unique edition
are each individually signed by four highly decorated Special
Duties pilots and one of the most famous secret agents of
World War II. Issued with a beautiful companion print showing
a Lysander on a covert moonlit mission, together with a copy
of Hugh Verity's best-selling book 'We Landed by Moonlight',
this appealing collector package will become a rare and valuable
addition to any aviation art collection.
Each copy of Robert Taylor's
print THEY LANDED BY MOONLIGHT
is signed by FOUR highly decorated Special Duties pilots and
one of the most famous secret agents of World War II and individually
signed in pencil by the artist, and hand numbered. |
|
Overall Print
Size: 30 1/2" Wide x 23 1/2 " High.
Image Size: 24" Wide x 16" High.
| They
Landed By Moonlight by
Robert Taylor |
| 750 s/n prints
w/FOUR signatures and Companion Print, 'Special Duties' |
US
$250 |
|
| 25 Artist Proofs w/FOUR
signatures. |
US
$450 |
|
An exclusive limited edition print,
with companion print, paying tribute to the pilots of the
special duties squadrons in WWII.
Companion Print
'Special Duties'
Overall print size: 13 1/4"
wide x 17 1/8" high.
A compelling study of
the ubiquitous Lysander heading for a secret rendezvous in
occupied France, November 1943.
Taking advantage of full moon and
fair weather, a Westland Lysander heads for a field west of
Reims in north east France. The pilot will land agents, collect
downed airmen and, all being well, return to England before
dawn. |
