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Simon Smith's range of aviation art
prints of Royal Air Force aircraft of world war two including the
Dambuster squadron's actions over the Eder and Mohna dams. Original oil
paintings of these aviation prints are also available from Cranston Fine
Arts.
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The Dambusters by Simon Smith.
On the night of 16/17th May 1943,under a full moon, 19 specially modified Lancaster bombers from 617 Squadron carried out one of the most daring and effective air raids of the Second World War. Led by wing commander Guy Gibson the 19 aircraft took off and headed for Germany at extreme low level.. Their mission, code named Operation Chastise, was to destroy the Ruhr dams which supplied water and electricity to the industrial heart of Reich. Each aircraft carried the ingenious Upkeep mine, developed by the engineer Barnes Wallis. Shaped like a large oil drum, the bomb was spun prior to release at exactly 60ft above the water and 150 yards from the dam wall. This caused the weapon to bounce across water and on impact would also make it stay close to the wall of the dam as it sank. The bomb, technically a mine, was fitted with a hydrostatic fuse similar to a depth charge causing detonation at the required depth.The correct height above the water was achieved by aligning the beams of two spotlights to meet on the surface of the water. Delivering such a weapon on target at night at such low altitude and under enemy fire was thought by many to be impossible. The nineteen pilots,some as young as eighteen had been hand picked by Gibson only two months before and formed into 617 squadron whose first mission was to remain top secret and unknown to them up until the last moment. The Mohne Dam was attacked first and several attempts were made under heavy fire with one lancaster being shot down as it flew over the target.Guy Gibson then attempted to draw fire away from the attacking aircraft by switching on his navigation lights and flying to one side of Mick Martins aircraft ,the scene depicted in Simon Smiths painting.Just as another aircraft was about to go in,excited shouts came over the intercom - its gone! The main target achieved, Gibson led the remaining aircraft on to the Eder Dam deep amongst the mountains of the Eder valley. Here, although no flak defenses, the terrain made the approach extremely hazardous. Two bombs were released yet still the target remained unbreached leaving only one last aircraft ,that of Les Knights to attack. A steep descent from a thousand feet then a dive over a spit of land left very little time to line up and release the bomb.Worse still there was a huge mountain on the far side of the dam! Added to this Edward Johnson the bomb aimer recalled that the spinning bomb had an alarming gyroscopic effect on the handling of the aircraft,so it was with superb flying and teamwork that their bomb struck and finally destroyed the massive stonework of the Eder Dam. Gibsons leadership and bravery led to the award of the VC and many other decorations were bestowed upon the other crews.The squadron however paid a heavy price with 8 lancasters being lost.
Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm). Price £135.00 Signed by five crew, Edward C Johnson - bomb aimer, Ray Grayston - Flight Engineer, Frederick Sutherland - RCAF Rear Gunner, George Chalmers and George Johnson
Limited edition of artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm). Price £155.00 Signed by five crew, Edward C Johnson - bomb aimer, Ray Grayston - Flight Engineer, Frederick Sutherland - RCAF Rear Gunner, George Chalmers and George Johnson
ITEM CODE DHM1460
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The Veteran by Simon Smith.
Our Gal Sal, a veteran of over a hundred ops, returning to base in the summer of 1944. The peace of the English country side is broken by the thunder of the mighty four engined bombers and keen observers will spot the rabbit scampering along the country lane as the Forts of the Bloody 100th circle the Airbase. With one engine feathered and showing signs of the gauntlet of Flak and fighters she has had to come through, the crew know they are only moments away from the safety of home.
Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 23 inches x 17 inches (58cm x 43cm). Price £95.00 Signed by Colonel Bob Morgan (deceased)
Limited edition of artist proofs. Image size 23 inches x 17 inches (58cm x 43cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Colonel Bob Morgan (deceased)
ITEM CODE DHM1461
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Return From Combat by Simon Smith.
Two 85 squadron Hurricanes returning to base after a battle over the skies of southern England in the summer of 1940.
Signed limited edition of 850 prints. Image size 20 inches x 15 inches (51cm x 38cm). Price £95.00
Limited edition of artist proofs. Image size 20 inches x 15 inches (51cm x 38cm). Price £135.00
Thorogood Presentation Edition of 4 Artist Proofs, supplied double mounted. Image size 20 inches x 15 inches (51cm x 38cm). Price £260.00 Features the mounted original signature of Squadron Leader Lawrence Thorogood DFC AE.
ITEM CODE DHM1462
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Return From Bremen by Simon Smith.
The leading ace of the mighty Eighth Air Force, Gabby Gabreski. He finished the war with a total of 28 air victories and 2 1/2 enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground by strafing airfields. Gabreski also scored 6 1/2 air victories in the Korean war.
Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm). Price £95.00 Signed by Colonel Gabby Gabreski (deceased)
Limited edition of artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Colonel Gabby Gabreski (deceased)
ITEM CODE DHM1463
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Little Friends by Simon Smith.
The aircraft in the foreground bears the name Alabama Rammer Jammer, the personal mount of 2/Lt Arthur Cundy ,352nd FS, 353rd FG. The 353rds yellow and black chequered nose bands were one of the most distinctive recognition features of all the Eighths fighter groups.
Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm). Price £95.00
Limited edition of artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm). Price £135.00
Blakeslee Presentation Edition of 5 Artist Proofs, supplied double matted. Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm). Price £300.00 Features the mounted original signature of Colonel Don Blakeslee (deceased).
ITEM CODE DHM1464
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The Shining Sword by Simon Smith.
RAF Avro Lancaster flies low over occupied Europe.
Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Less than 60 copies remain.. Price £130.00 Signed by Victoria Cross winner Bill Reid (deceased).
Limited edition of artist proofs. Image size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm) Less than 10 copies remain.. Price £180.00 Signed by Victoria Cross winner Bill Reid (deceased).
ITEM CODE DHM1466
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Under Cover of the Night by Simon Smith.
Signed limited edition of 1000 prints. Image size 22 inches x 15 inches (56cm x 38cm). Price £95.00
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 22 inches x 15 inches (56cm x 38cm). Price £135.00
From the signed limited edition of 1000 prints, less than 100 are available co-signed. Image size 22 inches x 15 inches (56cm x 38cm). Price £95.00 Signed by Flt Eng William (Bill) Higgins (deceased).
Reid Presentation Edition of 5 Artist Proofs, supplied double mounted. Image size 22 inches x 15 inches (56cm x 38cm). Price £300.00 Feaetures the mounted original signature of Flight Lieutenant Bill Reid VC (deceased).
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 40 inches x 30 inches (102cm x 76cm). Price £590.00
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 30 inches x 22 inches (76cm x 56cm). Price £460.00
Original painting by Simon Smith. Image size 46 inches x 36 inches (117cm x 91cm). Price £4000.00
ITEM CODE DHM0290
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Mission Completed by Simon Smith.
Depicting the morning after a gruelling operation during the autumn of 1944. As day breaks a returning crew awaits the crew bus at their aircraft dispersal, grouped before their mighty bomber which shows fresh scars of battle from an arduous mission over occupied Europe. The exhausted men are clearly relieved and thankful to be safely home at their in Lincolnshire base.
Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 26 inches x 15 inches (66cm x 38cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Group Captain William Farquharson DFC and Flight Lieutenant Frank Wolfson DFC.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 26 inches x 15 inches (66cm x 38cm). Price £160.00 Signed by Group Captain William Farquharson DFC and Flight Lieutenant Frank Wolfson DFC.
ITEM CODE DHM2210
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Breaching the Eder by Simon Smith.
On the night of 16th / 17th May 1943, Lancasters of 617 Squadron under the command of Wing Commander Guy Gibson attacked the hydroelectric dams of the Ruhr. Five of the aircraft that successfully attacked and breached the Mohne flew onto the Eder, only three with the Upkeep bombs still on board. Whilst there was no flak, the approach, over difficult terrain, was hazardous and a tremendous test of skills of the crews involved. Pilot Officer Les Knights aircraft, AFN, can be seen having just dropped the last of the groups bombs, which actually breached the dam, and is climbing steeply to avoid the hill behind the dam.
Signed limited edition of 750 prints. Image size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Price £95.00
Signed limited edition of 650 prints. Image size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant Edward C Johnson, DFC, Flying Officer Raymond E Grayston and Sergeant Frederick E. Sutherland RCAF
ITEM CODE DHM2407
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Freedom Fighters by Simon Smith.
Limited edition of 1000 prints. Image size 28 inches x 15 inches (71cm x 38cm). Price £63.00
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 28 inches x 15 inches (71cm x 38cm). Price £135.00
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £590.00
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £460.00
ITEM CODE DHM0403
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Dambusters Outward Bound by Simon Smith.
Guy Gibson leads the first wave of Dambusters out over Norfolk on their way to attack the Mohne and Eder.
Signed limited edition of 650 prints. Image size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Price £95.00
Limited edition of 400 prints. Image size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Price £135.00 Signed by George Chalmers DFC DFM and Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM
ITEM CODE DHM2408
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The Dambusters by Simon Smith Gibson and Martins attack run 16th May 1943.
Signed by five crew, Edward C Johnson - bomb aimer, Ray Grayston - Flight
Engineer, Frederick Sutherland - RCAF Rear Gunner, George Chalmers and George Johnson
The Veteran by Simon Smith B17, Flying Fortress - Our Gal Sal - of
the 100 Bomb group 1944 Signed by Captain Bob
Morgan of the Memphis Belle and Simon Smith.
Return From Combat by Simon Smith Hurricanes of 85 Squadron, 1940
Return From Bremen by Simon Smith Francis ' Gabby'
Gabreski, 26th November 1943.
Little Friends by Simon Smith Mustangs of the 353rd Fighter Group, 1944
Combat over the Pas de
Calais by Simon Smith Signed by Johnnie Johnson and Simon
Smith.
The Shining Sword by Simon Smith Lancaster Over Holland. Signed by Victoria
Cross Winner Bill Reid
Mission Completed by Simon Smith Depicting the morning after a gruelling operation during the autumn
of 1944. As day breaks a returning crew awaits the crew bus at their
aircraft dispersal, grouped before their mighty bomber which shows fresh
scars of battle from an arduous mission over occupied Europe. The
exhausted men are clearly relieved and thankful to be safely home at
their in Lincolnshire base.
Breaching the Eder by Simon Smith Depicts Lancaster
AJ-N of pilot officer Les Knight having just
dropped the final bomb which actually breached the dam, climbing steeply
to avoid the mountain behind the dam. So moved by Simon Smith's
reproduction of the event, Flight Lieutenant Edward C Johnson DFC took
the unprecedented step of endorsing the painting itself with his
signature, as well as the first 400 copies of the print. Signature: Edward C Johnson - bomb aimer, Ray Grayston - Flight
Engineer, Frederick Sutherland - RCAF Rear Gunner. |
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| This epic story of the Dam Busters needs
little introduction. An elite squadron of hand-picked airmen were put
together under the command of Wing commander Guy Gibson. Their mission
was to destroy the hydroelectric dams of the Ruhr, causing millions of
tons of water to crash into the German munitions factories. The best
known of the dams is of course, the heavily defended Mohna which was the
first to be breached. Having destroyed this dam, five of the remaining
aircraft, only three still carrying Barnes Wallis' famous 'Upkeep' bomb
flew onto their second, but no less important target, the Eder Dam.
Although defended by flak, the Eder was surrounded on all sides by steep
mountains making the approach extremely hazardous.
Dambusters Outward Bound by Simon Smith Depicts the aircraft setting out over Norfolk prior to their epic
mission, available signed by artist only or also countersigned by
two members of the squadron. and artist proofs with two further members of this
elite squad. |
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