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Victory
Over Gold
Nicolas Trudgian
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Frustrated
by the absence of Luftwaffe aircraft over the Normandy beaches
on D-Day, Allied fighter pilots were spoiling for a fight.
When a dozen Ju88s appeared over Gold Beach on the following
morning, June 7, 1944, the patrolling Spitfires of 401 Squadron
wasted no time in getting into the fray.
At just after 0800 hours twelve Junkers
Ju88s appeared out of the 2000ft. cloud base, intent on
making a diving attack on the heavily populated beachhead.
Wheeling their Spitfires into the on-coming attack, Squadron
Leader Cameron, C.O. of 401 Squadron, called his pilots
to pick their own targets, and all hell broke loose. In
the ensuing dogfight 401 Squadron's Canadian pilots destroyed
no fewer than six of the Ju88s, and the attack on the beach
was averted.
Nicolas Trudgian recreates the scene
as Flying Officer Arthur Bishop, son of WWI Ace Billy Bishop,
brings down one of the Ju88s that day. With its starboard
engine on fire, and its hydraulics shot away, the doomed
Luftwaffe fighter-bomber begins its ultimate uncontrollable
roll. F/O Arthur Bishop hurtles past the stricken bomber,
Nick's superb study showing every detail of his Mk IX Spitfire.
Below the pockmarked landscape
and beachhead is packed with detail and activity: No fewer
than fifty vehicles of all description can be counted, with
as many ships and landing craft offshore. Some thirty aircraft
are visible in the sky. A massively comprehensive image
that will keep collectors endlessly absorbed in a wholly
realistic atmosphere, created by a hugely talented and highly
respected aviation artist.
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Overall print
size: 33 3/4" wide x 24" high.
A limited edition featuring the Spitfires
of No. 401 Squadron over Normandy, June 7, 1944.
| Victory
Over Gold by Nicolas Trudgian
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| 400 s/n prints w/THREE
signatures. |
US $175 |
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| D-Day Portfolio
Edition including companion
print Patrolling The
Beaches |
| 250 s/n prints w/FOUR
signatures. |
US $210 |
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To commemorate the 55th Anniversary
of the D-Day Landings, three of the Royal Air Force's top
Aces who were heavily involved in the Invasion have joined
Nicolas Trudgian in signing his latest print edition.
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The D-Day Anniversary Portfolio
A rare edition of just 250 prints
signed by the artist and Canadian Spitfire pilot Arthur
Bishop whose aircraft is portrayed in the main print.
Patrolling The Beach
Issued within the D-Day Portfolio,
Nicolas Trudgian's excellent pencil drawing, Patrolling
The Beach, is not available
on its own. Issued only with matching numbered copies of Victory
Over Gold - to create a superb folio to commemorate the 55th
Anniversary of D-Day, the drawing captures the moment as 401
Squadron Spitfires cross the beachhead for their fourth, and
last, patrol on D-Day itself - June 6.
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 Air
Commodore Peter Brothers
CBE DSO DFC*
Joining the RAF in 1936, Peter was
a Flight Commander with 32 Squadron at the outbreak of war.
Posted to France he flew Hurricanes in the great air battles
of France and Dunkirk. During the Battle of Britain he flew
from the famous Biggin Hill fighter station before joining Bob
Stanford-Tuck at 257 Squadron. In 1941 he formed 457 Squadron
with Australian pilots and a year later took command of 602
Squadron. In October 1942 Pete Brothers was appointed Wing Leader
at Tangmere. He finished the war with 16 victories, the last
being an Fw190 over Blois in August 1944. He retired from the
RAF in 1973.  Wing
Commander Tom Neil DFC*
AFC
Tom Neil joined 259 Squadron flying
Hurricanes just before the Battle of Britain. Flying from
North Weald on September 7, his first victory was an Me109,
quickly followed by 10 others and 1 probable. On November
7 he collided with Wing Commander F. V. Beamish and lost his
tail. He baled out of his Hurricane unhurt. He later served
in Malta and gained another victory, an Mc200. In September
1942 he was given command of 41 Squadron. In January 1944
he was posted as FLO with US 100th Fighter Wing, and flew
with this unit during the D-Day Landings. On June 7, he touched
down on A1, the first Allied landing strip post D-Day, and
is believed to be the first English pilot to land on French
soil after D-Day. He finished with the war with 12 and 4 shared
destroyed aerial victories.
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 Wing
Commander Christopher 'Bunny'
Currant DSO DFC CdeG
Born in 1911, Bunny Currant joined
46 Squadron in 1937, and was with 151 Squadron at the outbreak
of war, moving to 605 Squadron in April 1940. Operating out
of Hawkinge during the Battle of France, he was shot down over
Arras. Soon back in the air, during the Battle of Britain his
score rose steadily and by the end of the battle had risen to
10 and 5 shared destroyed. In June 1942 he was promoted to lead
the Ibsley Wing, and in late 1943 was given command of 122 Wing.
He led this Wing during the D-Day Landings, and was based at
B7, an airstrip made near Bayeux. After the war he remained
in the RAF, retiring in 1959.  Flying
Officer Arthur Bishop
RCAF
Arthur Bishop is the son of Billy
Bishop VC, perhaps the most famous of all the First World
War Canadian Aces. Arthur joined the Royal Canadian Air Force
in 1941. Arriving in England he joined 401 Squadron RCAF flying
Spitfires as part of 83 Group in the then recently formed
2nd TAF. After D-Day the Squadron was based in France, where
he continued intensive flying. After the war he became a distinguished
Canadian author, whose books include 'The Splendid Hundred'
- the story of Canadians who flew in the Battle of Britain.
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