Spitfire Country by Nicolas Trudgian

The ferocity of Luftwaffe attacks on Britain during the month of July 1940 had been just about contained by the RAF, but Hitler was demanding a finish to the matter. As he urgently awaited news that Britain's defences had been crushed, Germany's invasion forces were massed all along the northern coast of France ready for the signal to swarm across the Channel. It would be only a matter of days, Luftwaffe supreme Hermann Goering had assured his Führer.

The Battle of Britain was reaching a crescendo. The month of August had seen the greatest concentration of air fighting in the history of air combat. But there was more to come. As the Luftwaffe built up to Adler Tag - an all-out assault intended to wipe out the RAF once and for all - the Luftwaffe threw everything into the fray. The clear blue summer skies over southern England became laced with the contrails and smoke of battle, as opposing fighters were locked in mortal combat. From first light to dusk the battles raged, the Spitfire and Hurricane pilots flying as many as six sorties in the day.

Nicolas Trudgian's painting shows a typical scene from a bright August morning in that momentous summer of 1940. Having climbed into the dawn sky at daybreak, the Spitfires of No. 603 Squadron have already been in action, and with more heavy raids on the plotter's table, they scurry back to Biggin Hill to re-arm and refuel. A Messerschmitt Me109, shot down during the previous day's fighting, lies discarded in a hayfield, its lucky pilot having escaped with his life. Meanwhile, the beautiful Kent countryside comes awake as it prepares for the toils of another beautiful day.

Overall paper size: 38 5/8" wide x 23 1/2" high.

Image size: 32" wide x 16" high.

Nicolas Trudgian's limited edition is dedicated to the RAF pilots who flew the great aerial contests of the Battle of Britain - Churchill's "FEW"

Spitfire Country by Nicolas Trudgian
25 Artist's Proofs w/FOUR signatures.	US $250

Joining artist Nicolas Trudgian in signing each print edition are THREE highly respected Spitfire pilots who flew in the Battle of Britain with 603 Squadron.

Every print in the Artist Proof Edition is additionally signed by:

Air Commodore Sir Archie Winskill

The Signatures

Flight Lieutenant Ludwick Martel KW**, VM
Following the fall of Poland in 1939, Ludwik Martel managed to escape to England along with other Polish pilots, to join the RAF, flying Spitfires. Posted to 54 Squadron at the height of the Battle of Britain in September 1940, he moved to 603 Squadron, based at Hornchurch, a few days later. On 5 October he scored his first victory, a Bf109. In early 1941 he was posted to 317 Squadron, and in March of that year went to the Middle East with other Polish pilots to form the Polish Fighting Team, better known as 'Skalski's Circus', attached to 145 Squadron and operating in the Western Desert. In the space of two months the 'Circus' managed to destroy over 30 enemy aircraft, with Martel getting another Bf109 to add to his tally.

Wing Commander Peter Olver DFC
Peter Olver joined the RAFVR before the war, being called up in September 1939. Joining 611 Squadron, he moved to 603 Squadron flying Spitfires in October 1940, scoring his first victory - a shared Me110, on 7 November. In December he was posted to 66 Squadron, then engaged in cross-Channel sweeps. In June 1942 he was posted to the Middle East, joining 213 Squadron, and then as a flight commander with 238 Squadron flying Hurricanes in the Western Desert. He was given command of 1 Squadron SAAF in December, and in early 1943 took over as Squadron Leader (Flying) of 244 Wing, becoming Wing Leader in April. In July 1943 Peter was shot down over Sicily whilst flying with 92 Squadron and was taken POW. He had become an Ace with 4 and 2 shared victories, plus three and a shared probable.

Squadron Leader Basil Stapleton DFC
Born in South Africa, 'Stapme' Stapleton joined the RAF in 1939 and was with 603 Squadron flying Spitfires at the outbreak of war. He first saw action off Scotland, sharing in the destruction of two bombers, before the Squadron was posted south to Hornchurch during the height of the Battle of Britain. By November 1940 his tally had risen to 6 and 2 shared victories, and 2 probables. In 1944 he commanded 247 Squadron flying Typhoons, taking part in the Arnhem operations. In December, whilst attacking a train, debris hit his aircraft forcing him to land behind enemy lines where he was taken prisoner of war.

Every print in the Artist Proof Edition is additionally signed by:
Air Commodore Sir Archie Winskill KCVO, CBE, DFC*, AE
Archie Winskill joined the RAFVR in 1937. Posted to 54 Squadron in August 1940 fying Spitfires, he moved first to 72 Squadron and then 603 Squadron where he became a flight commander. Shot down over France in August, he managed to evade capture to return home via Spain and Gibraltor - the first pilot to use this route. In April 1942 he was posted to form 165 Squadron, then to command 222 and 232 Squadrons, transferring with them to North Africa. On 18 January 1943 he was shot down by top Luftwaffe Ace ErichRudorffer, but again managed to evade capture. He finished the war an Ace with 4 and 2 shared destroyed. Archie Winskill led a distinguished post-war career in the RAF, becoming Captain of the Queen's Flight, a post he held for 14 years.