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Spitfires – High Patrol by Philip E. West A gathering section of 124 Squadron Spitfires led by Peter Ayerst climbs for height above the bomber stream and a lone Mosquito. This Squadron plus many others was tasked with protecting the bombers over occupied Europe. For these long range missions the Spitfires carry 90 Gallon 'Slipper Tanks' to extend the relatively short endurance of the aircraft. In combat with enemy fighters they would jettison the tanks. However, following a shortage, they were encouraged to bring them back if they possibly could. Canvas size: 18” x 30” and signed on the back by former Spitfire pilots Wing Commander Peter Ayerst DFC, Flight Lieutenant R G (Bob) Large, DFC, Legion d’Honneur, and Peter Twiss OBE, DSC and Bar £ SOLD
Commissioned Painting This painting was commissioned. If you would like to have a no-obligation chat about commissioning a painting, please call or email us.
On a Wing and a Prayer Canvas size: 10” x 20” / 25.5 x 51cms. £ SOLD
Two’s Company £ SOLD
Night of Heroes – The Dambusters by Philip E. West 17th May 1943. Lancaster's from 617 Squadron deliver a surprise attack on the Ruhr dams with specially designed, unique bouncing bombs invented by Barns Wallis. Wing Commander Guy Gibson is shown drawing defensive fire away from This oil painting is signed on the reverse of the canvas in permanent ink by former Dambusters: Flying Officer Raymond E. Grayston (Flight Engineer of AJ-N, Les Knights Lancaster.) and Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM (Bomb Aimer on AJ-T, American Joe McCarthy’s Lancaster. £ SOLD
Enemy Coast Ahead – The Dambusters by Philip E. West Lancasters of 617 Squadron, led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson begin their low level cross channel dash towards the enemy coast on the way to the heart of the Ruhr. The aircraft were arranged in three waves. The first wave comprised three groups of three aircraft at 10 minute intervals and headed towards the Mohne, Sorpe and Eder dams. The second wave of five Lancasters headed direct to the Sorpe whilst the third wave of five, would act as backup. Eight Lancasters failed to return from the raids, a high cost indeed, but the courage and determination displayed by the crews were in the best tradition of the RAF. This oil painting is signed on the reverse of the canvas in permanent ink by former Dambusters: Flying Officer Raymond E. Grayston (Flight Engineer of AJ-N, Les Knights Lancaster.) and Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM (Bomb Aimer on AJ-T, American Joe McCarthy’s Lancaster. £ SOLD
Those Were The Days by Philip E. West Many hundreds of young aspiring men and women gained their coveted RAF wings flying the Tiger Moth. Training could be tough and one needed determination as well as skill to complete it. With their newly awarded “wings”, some pilots would move onto fly bombers, some to fighters like the Spitfire and Hurricane and many others to a wide variety of different aircraft types. £ SOLD
by Philip E. West Capt Eric (Winkle) Brown launches his Seafire TM379, from the deck of the trials carrier HMS Pretoria Castle in July 1945. Unlike other carriers, those used for trials, usually had their decks clear of other aircraft. On this day, once the aircraft is launched the carrier’s crew streamed onto the deck to check the surface and clear anything that may obstruct a landing. TM379, was the first prototype, Seafire Mk 45 and was fitted with a Rotol contra prop, modified fin, rudder and tail hook. £ SOLD
The Pride of Britain The winter of ’41 is remembered well by Geoffrey Wellum, pilot of Spitfire ‘G’ for George. Bitter cold and heavy snow during this Battle of Britain period made flying conditions almost unbearable. The ground-crew’s job at RAF Manston, never easy at the best of times, involved working in all weathers to keep the aircraft in a state of readiness for the pilots to return to the battle at the earliest opportunity. £ SOLD
A Winter’s Dawn This peaceful scene at East Kirkby in the winter of 1944 gives a very real feel for the vitally important work undertaken by ground crew in all weathers. At this stage of the war, to help identification at a distance, the tail fins of 57-squadron Lancasters wore a black vertical bar on a red background. The squadron flew on 348 raids, with 108 Lancasters lost in action plus 31 in accidents. £ SOLDOil on Canvas: 12” x 24” / approx. 30.5cms x 61cms.
Winter of 44 Fighter, bomber, night-fighter, reconnaissance together with many other variants made the P-38 Lightning one of the most adaptable and respected aircraft of World War 2. The P-38 serving in Europe and the Mediterranean theatre, earned it the German nickname 'The fork-tail devil'. The total number of P-38s built was 9,924. This beautiful oil on canvas painting measures 12” x 28” / approx. 30cms x 71cms. £ SOLD
The Eye of the Storm by Philip E. West Overall canvas size 38” x 24”
Lead by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, 19 Lancaster's departed their home base in three waves, each aircraft armed with a single bouncing bomb developed by Barnes Wallis. The targets were German dams in the heart of the industrial Ruhr. The resulting attacks breached the Mohne and Eder Dams with attempts also on the Sorpe and Schwelme Dams. For his leadership and courage, Gibson was awarded the Victoria Cross. 34 other men also received decorations. £ SOLD
Legends of the Air by Philip E. West Original oil on canvas painting. Size: 40” x 20” £ SOLD Signed
on the reverse by three former 617 Squadron pilots, including the
legendary Commanding Officer Group Captain James Tait DSO &
Bar, DFC, ADC. Through their skill and bravery 617 crews received many high honours including V.C's for Wing Commander Guy Gibson and Wing Commander Leonard Cheshire.
The Luftwaffe Collection
Looking for Trouble by
Philip E. West £ SOLD Messerschmitt Bf 109. The longest-serving of all German interceptors. This classic aircraft was the cornerstone of the Luftwaffe’s fighter force throughout the second world war, built in greater numbers than any other fighter and credited with more air victories than any other in history.
back of painting
Farewell
Concorde Original oil on canvas painting. Overall size 36” x 24” £ SOLD As
Concorde G-BOAF accelerates into the setting sun her speed will
soon outpace the earth’s rotation. The 100 passengers will
now have the unforgettable experience of watching the sun rising
from the west. At 50,000 feet, the cruising speed of Mach 2 (1,320
mph) is reached; but the climb gently continues towards 60,000 feet.
Here, on the threshold of space, the passengers will dine. Three
and a half hours after take-off from London, Concorde reaches New
York. On 26th November 2003 this aircraft returned to its first
home, Filton, Bristol – probably never to fly again.
Supreme Courage £ SOLD
The Persuaders by Philip E. West Much loved by its crews, the mighty delta winged 'Avro Vulcan' was designed to perform Britain's nuclear deterrent bomber role during the Cold War. It carried out this responsibility for more than a decade. The aircraft also served as a tanker, low-level attack and maritime radar reconnaissance platform, before finally being called to war action in the Falklands conflict where it provided long-range bombing capabilities, attacking surface targets and Stanley Airport. Canvas size unframed: 30" x 12" or approx. 76cms. x 30cms. This painting is signed by five former Vulcan pilots. £ SOLD
Winter of ‘45 by Philip E. West American built, British inspired and once re-engined with the Merlin, the mighty Mustang became a supreme long-range escort fighter and close air support platform. 'Old Crow' was the mount of Clarence E. Anderson based at Leiston, England, with the 357th FG, 363rd FS. Anderson’s personal victory score during WW11 was 16¼ in air combat. Canvas size unframed: 24" x 12" or approx. 61cms x 30cms. £ SOLD
"The
Guardians" Portrays legendary Hurricane pilot Pete Brothers (32 Sqn) and his wingman having recently taken off from Biggin Hill, now just over the White Cliff's of Dover during the period of the Battle of Britain. The unframed size of this outstanding oil on canvas painting is 12" deep x 24" wide. If you would like to add this superb new painting to your collection please contact us right away either by e-mail or Tel: 01225 444929. The painting is signed on the back of the canvas by Peter Brothers. PILOT
DETAILS; At
the end of August that same year his tally of enemy aircraft shot
down, increased to eight. Awarded the DFC, he was transferred to
257 Squadron where he joined Bob Stanford-Tuck as Flight Commanders.
Promoted in 1941 to Squadron Leader, Pete Brothers then took command
of 457 Squadron (Royal Australian Air Force), equipped with Spitfires.
A year later when 457 Squadron returned to Australia, Pete took
command of 602 Squadron. In the early autumn of 1942 he went on
to become Wing Leader of the Tangmere Wing, succeeding his old friend
Douglas Bader. By the end of the war Pete Brothers had amassed 875
operational hours over a 44-month period. He was credited with having
personally shot down 16 enemy aircraft and damaged many more. He
later went on to command 57 Squadron during the Malaya Campaign.
Upon return to the UK Pete Brothers joined the V-Force, flying Valiant-4
jet bombers. He retired in 1973.
"Evening
Glory"
Is full of the atmosphere and nostalgia we know our clients like to see in his paintings. This new oil painting portrays Geoff Wellum in his Spitfire, during an all-too rare quiet moment, one evening during the height of the Battle of Britain. The
unframed size of this outstanding oil on canvas painting is The painting is signed on the back of the canvas by Geoffrey Wellum and Peter Brothers.
Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum DFC joined the RAF with a Short
Service Commission in August 1939. He joined no 92 Squadron flying
Spitfires in June 1940 at the time of Dunkirk. He flew throughout
the Battle of Britain, later completing over 50 fighter sweeps and
escorts over northern France and Belgium until August 1941. He then
joined 65 Squadron as Flight Commander in March 1942 operating over
northern France and flew off Aircraft Carrier Furious on operation
Pedestal, to Malta. (Geoff was a Flt. Lt. during
Geoff's Best Selling book "First Light", recalling his
wartime flying career, is highly recommended by SWA Fine Art. To
give you some idea of the popularity of this book, sales to date
have reached 250,000 copies!
£ SOLD
£ SOLD
£ SOLD
In
the Mists of Time -£ SOLD
Against All Odds - £ SOLD Price:
Please enquire for details.
Geoffrey Wellum joins combat head-on with a Dornier during the Battle of Britain. He was part of a small group of 10 spitfires from Biggin Hill facing 150 plus enemy bombers and fighters. Other friendly fighters joined battle but the defenders were still vastly out numbered, a scene repeated on many occasions in the summer of 1940. On this particular day Geoff scored a Heinkel destroyed, together with a Dornier as a probable.
£ SOLD
Flight against the Bismarck £ SOLD
Those Golden Moments As the sun slowly begins to rise this wintry morning over Thorpe Abbots, Norfolk, ground crew prepare B-17G “The All American Girl” in an almost surreal setting, for her 99th dangerous mission over enemy territory. On 10th January 1945, 19-year-old pilot, 1st Lt. John Dodrill and his crew went missing on a combat sortie to Cologne. Like many other crews, they made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight for freedom, with the ‘Bloody Hundredth’ Bombardment Group playing its full part with courage and honour. £ SOLD
First Light £ SOLD
Winter of 41 £ SOLD
Close Encounter by Philip E. West Overall size (unframed) 20” x 36”
Oil on canvas original painting. £ SOLD
A Very Special Original Painting...
Over the Beaches by Philip E. West Oil on canvas painting. Size 40” x 24”
£ SOLD Making it truly unique and of historic interest as well as value, this magnificent oil painting is signed on the back of the canvas by Spitfire pilots Flt. Lt. John ‘Chips’ Carpenter DFC and Flying Officer Tom Hannam, both of whom flew ‘over the beaches’. Sadly, ‘Chips’ Carpenter passed away earlier this year. Please call without delay to secure this painting for your private collection.
Buccaneer Strike Force by Philip E. West Oil on canvas painting. Size: 24” x 40” £ SOLD The Blackburn Buccaneer, in its heyday the worlds most advanced low-level, high-speed strike aircraft. The Buccaneer is remembered with affection and respect as a purposeful-looking, rock-steady aircraft offering a formidable strike weapons platform, flying low and fast over the wave-tops or land with equal effectiveness, on this occasion in the presence of HMS Ark Royal.
36”
x 24” Oil on canvas £ SOLD 18th May 1943, Sqn. Ldr. Frank (Jerry) Fray in his Spitfire PRX1 of 542 Squadron operating out of RAF Benson, Oxfordshire, returned alone and unarmed to gather photographic evidence of the Mohne Dam having been breached the day before by 617 Squadron. Jerry had previously flown over all three dams two days earlier to photograph them prior to the ‘Dambusters’ raid on 17th May. Even at 30,000 feet the disastrous effects of the flooding on the Ruhr valley below can be seen.
Cloud Companions by Philip E. West £ SOLD
SPITFIRES - MALTA BOUND by Philip E. West £ SOLD
Supermarine
Spitfire Mk 1 Oil on canvas sketch 9½” x 16” £ SOLD
Hawker
Hurricane Mk 1 Oil on canvas sketch 9½” x 16” £ SOLD The Hawker Hurricane was Britain’s most important aircraft in the Battle of Britain, credited with destroying more enemy aircraft than all other forms of defence combined. Flown by Flying Officer Arthur Cowes, the aircraft depicted shows seven kill markings displayed as stripes on the Hornet motif.
Above
and Beyond The SR-71 Blackbird is the world's fastest and highest flying jet aircraft. For over 23 years, the SR-71s gathered highly classified intelligence around the world for the President of the United States, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, the Pentagon and other governmental agencies, allowing them to make crucial political and military decisions during the Cold War.
OUTWARD BOUND 36” X 24” Oil on canvas £ SOLD With the sun setting behind them fully loaded Lancaster bombers from 57 Squadron East Kirkby, Lincolnshire, make their way out over the English Channel on route to target. Each crew member knew the dangers ahead but gave of their best at all times.
Night Hawks by Philip E. West £SOLD
The Untouchable by Philip E. West £SOLD
Preparing for the Tirpitz by Philip E. West £SOLD
Safely Home - Philip West £SOLD
The Black Tulip - Philip West £SOLD
H.M.S. Ark Royal - Philip West £SOLD
Mosquito
Attack -
Philip West For sale on behalf of a customer whose move to a smaller house necessitates reducing the size of his large collection of paintings. Please contact us for details.
Operation Jericho – The Amiens Raid -
Philip West For sale on behalf of a customer whose move to a smaller house necessitates reducing the size of his large collection of paintings. Please contact us for details.
"HEADING
HOME "
30” x 18” Oil on canvas £SOLD One summers evening, Douglas Bader (flying the Mk V Spitfire without cannons) and Johnnie Johnson (flying the Mk VB Spitfire with cannons) of the Tangmere Wing, share a few moments of peaceful flying whilst on patrol over the English Channel.
"FINAL
PREPARATIONS" Soon to be cloaked in darkness, Wellington aircraft of 150 Squadron, RAF Newton, Nottinghamshire, prepare for another dangerous mission, never knowing if they would return.
"PHANTOM
THUNDER" An F4 Phantom of 92 Squadron, based at Wildenraf, Germany, about to embark on yet another QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) mission to intercept potential hostile aircraft during the Cold War. You can almost hear and feel the power of this incredible aircraft as it roars down the runway.
"MUTUAL
SUPPORT " The evening mist begins to settle on the bleak airfield at Ludford Magna, Lincolnshire, as Lancaster aircraft of 101 Squadron taxi out for another dangerous nighttime sortie. The nature of their assignments during the war was a closely guarded secret. The unusual aerials on the front and top of the aircraft were used for intercepting and jamming messages between German fighter aircraft and their ground control.
"TEAMWORK" As night falls, Short Stirlings of XV Squadron based at RAF Mildenhall, Cambridgeshire, await their crews for yet another nocturnal mission. One of the almost forgotten Bomber Command aircraft that made a very significant contribution to the war effort.
"Loire
Rendezvous"
£SOLD Depicts Sqn. Ldr. Frank Dodd and P/O Eric Hill flying low under unexpected heavy fire in a ten-and-a-half-hour sortie to Tromso Fjord on 22nd March 1945, to obtain confirmation of the final demise of the pride of the German navy - the battleship Tirpitz.
"Final Encounter" 48"
x 30" Oil on canvas. Returning from a raid over Lorient, France on the 17th May 1943 the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Memphis Belle" came under close attack from Fw190s and Me109s. Fortunately no aircraft were lost and very little damage sustained to the 91st Bomb Group aircraft during this mission - the 25th and final one in the "Memphis Belle" for Captain Robert Morgan Named after Capt. Morgan's wartime sweetheart, Miss Margaret Polk, the "Memphis Belle" was based at Bassingbourn, England and was the first B-17 to complete 25 combat missions and keep her entire crew alive - this at a time when eight out of ten aircraft were being shot down over Europe. During ten months of service the "Memphis Belle" dropped over 60 tons of bombs on France, Belgium and Germany, shot down eight enemy fighters, and covered over 20,000 combat miles. The "Memphis Belle" is now on display in Memphis, Tennessee.
"Maximum
Effort"
"Combat
Rescue"
"Delta
Lady"
Philip writes, "Few of us who have had the good fortune to see a Vulcan bomber fly will ever forget the sight and sound! A spectacular aircraft that went on to perform an even more impressive role during the Falklands war flying combat missions, each lasting around 16 hours non-stop. I truly hope we will once again see Vulcan XH558 take to the skies after its restoration has been completed at Bruntingthorpe."
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