SWA fineart - customer testimonials

The following recent customer comments are reproduced unedited and with permission. We try very hard to excel with our customer service, so it’s always nice to receive such unsolicited letters – and we definitely appreciate receiving them.

November 2006

Dear Sean,
I am writing to express my sincere thanks and gratitude in regards to the
professional service I received from your company. I was delighted that my
email enquiry was answered within two hours of sending it, despite the time
difference between Australia and England. I was absolutely amazed when the
Spitfire Patrol print I ordered on late Friday afternoon last week
(Australian time) arrived today (Wednesday)!!

The pictures on your website simply do not do the print justice. Philip is
truly an amazing artist. I will admit that both myself and my parents are
not aviation fans, but it is such a truly beautiful piece of art you cannot
help but admire it for its detail. It came perfectly protected, and I
thought the information on the pilots who had signed it was an excellent and
thoughtful touch to include in the parcel. I know my partner will enjoy
reading about their lives as much as I hope he enjoys the print on Christmas
day!!!

It truly was a pleasure dealing with such a professional as yourself, and I
congratulate you on your excellent customer service as it is a rare
commodity these days. I look forward to purchasing more prints and
hopefully an original if i can convince my partner soon....

With sincere thanks,
Melissa Eelman (Australia)

JUST A NOTE TO YOU THAT MY CARDS ARRIVED SATURDAY AND I COULDN’T BE MORE PLEASED WITH THEM.

Hi Sean.
I have just had my two Battle of Britain artists proofs framed they look fantastic. I am so pleased with my purchase; they are pure quality. They will take pride of place in my newly decorated lounge. Once again thank you very much.
Keith

Concorde - Early Arrival has arrived with due care and on time.
Astounding piece of work on display in my den.
Thank You.

August 2006

Hi
I would to say thank you very much for the two prints i received off you in last 3 days. They were of excellent quality and far, far better than displayed on the screen of my computer.

The delivery was excellent even thought the postman rang hell out the door bell at 0705 on both days, I am not sure if he thought we dead or deaf, but at least we got an early cup of tea!

Subject to wall space and my wife permission I hope to ordering more prints
cheers, Gordon (Harpenden)

Just a quick thank you for sending me my three prints through so quickly. They arrived yesterday morning - only 24 hours after I had ordered them. Tremendous service.
Kind regards
Alec

Good Morning Sean,

I am pleased to confirm the safe arrival of Philip West's magnificent "Wings of Dawn" print. It is truly magnificent and is complimented by a most inspiring remarque of a Mossie taking off. Thank you again for great service and for ensuring arrival in pristine condition.

With best wishes and kind regards,
Mike

Thank you for your prompt dispatch of my” Winter of 41” Aviation print, most impressed with your service.

Just a quick note to say how pleased I am with the "Typhoon Scramble" remarque it is great. I think you can safely say I will by buying more Steve Brown prints over the coming years.

Merry Christmas,
Neil Bartley

Just a big thank you for the (Concorde- Pride of Bristol) print.
Stephen Brown has done a grand job again.
I look forward to getting the print framed and hanging on my wall.

Dear Sean,
I have just received my print "Welcome Sight". It is simply breath taking!! My grandfather F/O Robert K. Card D.F.C 432 Leaside Sqdn Halifax pilot also thinks so as well. I think I now have every Halifax aircraft print in the world. Thank-you so much for making a WWII vet and his grandson very happy and proud. He also flew Wellingtons hint hint; looking forward to ordering more prints from you soon.
Best Regards
David Card

Thanks very much - received safe and sound.
Excellent service, very impressed!
Regards
Peter

Sean,
Just a quick note to say thank you for another exquisite print, and Phil for another excellent remarque! Once again your customer service skills have been second to none and I look forward to my next purchase.

Thanks Again
Andy Brooks

Dear Sean

Thanks very much for sending 'Primary Target' so soon., It is a fantastic print
which I am very pleased with.

I will of course be ordering again in the future and appreciate the level of service
offered by you.

Many thanks
regards
Richard

Just like to thank you for the excellent day we had on Sunday, my wife and I really enjoyed it.

It was fantastic to see so much art in one room, and especially to see the originals of some of the prints I've purchased over the past months. And you'll be pleased to hear I will be putting in orders on others I've now seen in the flesh, when my credit card recovers (Please warn me if any of the following are getting low in stock!!! :- "Over the Beaches", "Teamwork", "Phantom Patrol", "Welcome Home" and "Heading for the Convoys"?)

It was so good to meet Stephen and Philip, please congratulate Phil on his excellent presentation.

One final thing, Sean, I'm sure I did (or intended to) can you check I'm on your Premier Club Membership list

Kind regards

Darryl

I would be very grateful to receive two tickets for the above forthcoming event in Brighton.

Can I just say that we, (my self and my husband) had a very enjoyable time on Sunday at the Petwood Hotel, and thoroughly enjoyed the whole event. - From viewing the paintings & prints, to meeting and chatting with the 'old timers', to sitting in on Philip's talk on 'The Art of Aviation Painting'.
The latter we both found particularly interesting. A brilliant day very well organised.

Hi Sean

I just wanted to say thanks for sending the picture so quickly - I picked it up from the post office on Friday. He was delighted with it - so much so now he wants more!!!! Although I have pointed out we are limited to wall space.
The information you sent with it was very interesting.

thanks again.

Alison

Dear Sean

I would just like to say thank you for your quick response to my order. The remarque arrived yesterday (in perfect condition) and is beautiful. My boyfriend is absolutely delighted with it. It is the first time he has had one of Stephen's prints as normally collects Taylor's or Coulson's but is over the moon with this one and will definitely consider more of his pieces in the future.

I was highly delighted with the service I received from yourselves and I do believe we may be making use of the special offer which I received.

Many thanks once again

Best Wishes
Sarah Lumsden

Dear Mr Whyte,

Thank you for the two prints, Higher and Higher and Happy Holidays, I received today.

They are just beautiful I can't tell you thrilled I am with them. I have bought them for my grand daughter Lauren who is almost three. When we opened the package and I showed her the pictures she said "take it home", praise indeed. After seeing them I am having second thoughts about Lauren taking them home!!

I have visited your web site, it is just wonderful and how nice to see your picture.

I did notice how carefully the prints had been packaged, thank you very much for a very quick delivery. I am just delighted with the prints, they have surpassed all my expectations.

Many thanks

Barbara Passmore

Sean,

I just had to drop you a short note to thank all for another incredible print, the three dimensionality of "Over the Beaches", is simply amazing!

I look forward to seeing what comes next!

Regards
Eric Gray

Many thanks for the prompt delivery and excellent service in the sending of the order below. The Phillip West print of "TEAMWORK" is a 50th birthday present from my wife and son. The interest lies in the fact that the Stirling in the foreground is BK611 which is the plane my Uncle was rear-gunner in the night is was shot down. ,He survived but several of his crew mates did not and i believe it was a meeting with him and Mr West that prompted the picture. Once again many thanks and I hope to deal with you again soon,
best wishes

Thanks a lot for your parcel which arrived today. I am very happy with both of my prints. You give a great service and in my opinion the associated information you supply re. the signatures on your prints is second to none.

I collected my framed copy of the above print from "The Framing Centre" in Broughshane Northern Ireland, this afternoon, my regards to Stephen and all in the company who have produced this fine print!

Many thanks Sean.
Combat Rescue arrived this morning, safe and sound and well bundled up. As you said, even better than I had imagined. I am very pleased with it indeed (and my wife liked it too.....I live to spend another day!!!!). Thank you for such a prompt service. I'll be doing business again.
All the best
Mike Allen

Dear Sean & Philip,

Just picked up "Phantom Patrol" from the framers yesterday. To say I am absolutely delighted with both the print and the superb remarques would be an understatement. I'm really
pleased with it - brings back all the good memories of people and places associated with my time with 43 Sqn at Leuchars. Thankfully the scars of long night shifts and bruised fingers
are fading at last.

Many, many thanks.
Regards,
Steve Evans

The print arrived today and just wished to thank you for kind and courteous service. If you could also pass on my thanks to Philip West for doing an absolutely superb pencil remarque of the Lancaster.

Dear SWA,
My print (Primary Target) arrived this weekend and I have just put it up on the wall, I am really pleased with it is quite easily the best record I have seen of this famous mission. Please pass on my thanks and appreciation to Philip on this fine work of art, I feel that I own a piece of real history. many thanks.
Peter.

The following is from a former A1 Skyraider pilot living in America.

Hi Sean,

Just received the print. The rendition is "fantastic". When I opened the shipping container and took a look, all I could think was "I've been there and the artist got it right". Congratulations, you sure run a professional operation. I'll be sure to pass your business name around to my friends.

Thanks again, it's been a pleasure doing business with you.

Hi Sean,
Just wanted to let you know that we received the print on Thursday. Thank you for the prompt service. The magazine was a very nice added touch. It is a pleasure doing business with someone who obviously cares about and caters to his customers needs. The print is every bit as nice as we thought it would be. Again thanks for the kind, prompt service and we look forward to dealing with you in the future.

Dear Sean

Just to let you know that the print arrived safe and well yesterday.

The print is wonderful, but I have to say that the remarque is magnificent!! I did not realise just how BIG and detailed it would be, it complements the print beautifully. Combined with the 11 signatures as well all the extra information supplied by the chaps from 101 squadron, it really is a superb piece.

Many thanks: very pleased indeed

Alan Young

Hi Sean,
“Received Maximum Effort the other day in fine shape. What a nice print – and what a value! Keep 'em coming! Thanks again for the great service and speed.”
Gallery Owner

“Received "Primary Target" today. Excellent condition and faster than expected.” Thanks,
Gallery owner.

“Thank you very much for your attention and tremendous customer service.”
kind regards,
Jan A. Schipper
Holland

“GDay Sean. Just a short note to let you know that the Primary Target print arrived this morning. What a magnificent print, couldn't take my eyes off it. Its now at the framers as we speak. Will be in touch again soon to order another print. Once again thank you very much, and from all of us
out here in the colonies, bye for now.”

Alec Cowan, 101 Sqn. Navigator says, “Please give Philip West my congratulations on a magnificent painting, capturing the scene and atmosphere perfectly.”

The remarqued copy of Maximum Effort is truly exceptional. It is one of the finest pieces in my collection. Please pass on my thanks to Philip for his outstanding and consistently high standard of work.
With kind regards.
Stewart Bailey

Thank you very much for your prompt service, the print (Maximum Effort) and accompanying documents arrived on Saturday. The print is as good as Pat and I hoped and the additional information adds to the atmosphere.
With the quality of the print and the excellent service we hope to purchase from you again, and I will definitely be recommending you to my friends.

Hello Sean and best wishes from Oz,

The prints were collected this morning and, once again, survived the journey in pristine condition.

Am very happy with them.

Your service continues to be outstanding and I fervently hope you can provide the other previously discussed prints over coming months.

Sincerely,

Brian

The following email relates to an order we shipped to CANADA on the same day we received it (7th October) - and it arrived on the 10th October.

Dear Sean,

The Artist Proof of "Loire Rendezvous" arrived safely yesterday afternoon. Great service, it has been a pleasure doing business with you. The print is everything that I thought it would be. I am delighted with it.

Many, many thanks,

Tom O'Rafferty

The print arrived in my office noon today, Tuesday, which was very fast for the other side of the world. Looks great, thanks. Thanks also for the additional notes regarding the PRU squadrons and men, which is much appreciated. I think I might be tempted by some of the other prints.

Dear Sean:
I have just opened a magic tube of prints and I am highly delighted…...they are absolutely fantastic!

Please send my sincere thanks to Philip for such excellent quality of work. These two prints must be some of the most prized possessions of my entire collection. SUPERB !!!

I've been intending to send a "Thank You" email for my last two remarques "Tirpitz Revisited" and "Loire Rendezvous". The latter in particular absolutely radiates atmosphere, add to that the fine collection of signatures and the history almost jumps out of the frame. I've quite a few fine prints now and 1 original oil, Regardless, "Loire Rendezvous" holds pride of place. Please do thank Phillip West for me and let him in on the secret that he has some most impressed customers out here!

When I purchased "Loire Rendezvous" I promised myself that I really must stop buying prints for a little while as wall space is limited, unfortunately for me Phillip seems to like the Mosquito and has now released "Operation Jericho" and "Mosquito Attack". The Mossie is my favourite aircraft and having been to Amien prison and stood by the scared walls... well I'm sure you can see the position this places me in! ……………………………”

Footnote:
(Alan went ahead and ordered a Remarqued copy of both “Operation Jericho” and “Mosquito Attack”, plus an Artist Proof of “Operation Jericho”)

Just a short note to say thank you for the prompt delivery of my remarqued 'Homeward Bound' print which arrived yesterday, and if you could pass on a big thank you to Philip for the wonderful remarque he did! The extra leaflets included were a nice extra too and made for some interesting
reading.

Just a short message to let you know that I have taken delivery of the H.M.S. Ark Royal print. It looks fantastic. Many thanks.

Just to let you know the painting arrived safely and I'm saving up for a frame!!

I just wanted to write and thank you for all your efforts in organising a really enjoyable day on Saturday - I thoroughly enjoyed the day as did my father who was especially moved to meet John Rees who knew his brother and flew on the same day that he was killed. I was delighted with the print of Maximum Effort which is not only a really well crafted painting but also a great reminder of my uncle
and his colleagues.

I wonder if you could also pass on my thanks to the four aircrew for taking the time to come and give the talk that we both found both interesting and very enjoyable. Many thanks again
Best regards,
Denys Lyons

Dear Sean

Thank you for your prompt and efficient service in dispatching my remarqued copy of 'Maximum Effort'.

I would like to compliment Philip's work; the composition, detail and quality of his picture is impressive especially the pencil drawing of the Lancaster in flight which is depicted exactly how I wanted it.

Would you also pass on my sincere thanks to 'Rusty' and his colleges for sharing some of their memories of serving with 101 Squadron in the form of the notes you included with my print. What these Gentlemen went through can only be imagined.

Thanks again for the invite to next Friday's signing of the PRU prints, I am looking forward to meeting both yourself, Philip and the pilots.

Kind Regards
Martin.

I have been away a couple of days before, and after the Queens Birthday holiday weekend so was unable to reply in a timely manner to your email. Enjoyed fabulous weather for a change and feel just a little recharged.

Well this morning I visited the post office to collect a tube from a local artist and a welcome surprise awaited me …. another tube from SWA.

Opening at my framers revealed not only two pristine-condition prints but also “RAF News”, another most welcome attachment and through which I have yet to fully explore. And then I noticed the number of the print “Spitfire Patrol” and was flabbergasted, another No 1!! You are much too kind!

Then I laid eyes on your invoice and became mildly annoyed since I realised you had not taken up my suggestion of sharing postage costs. Yet another wonderful gesture Sean!

With such impeccable service and thoughtfulness it’s no wonder you are receiving greater patronage from A’Asia.

By the way, recently acquired the May edition of “Fly Past” magazine with Philip’s “Primary Target” on the cover – we get sea freight only so it has been quite a while delayed. Both of you must be seriously proud and I trust it also results in enhanced business as well as reputation.

Finally the information contained in the biographies of the signatories the signatories is much appreciated. This effort is clearly superior to most other offerings and again reflects the care, and attention to detail you 'bring to the table.'

Dear Philip and Sean

I would like to congratulate you on your painting "Maximum Effort", a print of which is winging its way to me, and in an attempt to give you some sort of feedback I would like to tell you why I bought it.

The painting of the aircraft and its surroundings is exceptional, but I really bought it because it is the first painting that I have seen that goes some way to depicting the conditions the mechanics were called to work under.

I joined the RAF in 1952 as a Rigger (Airframe in today’s speak) and consider myself fortunate to be able to say that I worked on some of the later MK's of WW2 aircraft, the Mosquito being my all time favourite. When I became a fully-fledged Rigger and started working under the biggest roof in the world (sky hanger) it soon came home to me just how bad the conditions were for WW2 mechanics. Not only the conditions, but also the sub-standard tooling, ground equipment and clothing they were expected to use in all weathers. I know because I was still using the same gear in 1956 and later. I, if no one else, take my hat off to these dedicated guys. They are rarely mentioned yet their skill in adaptation and innovation was a key factor in enabling the air-crews to do their job.

The air-crews were in the firing line and many of them paid the ultimate price, for which I will be eternally grateful. To have my print signed by some of their surviving colleagues will be an honour, but it would have been nice if you could have sought out eleven mechanics of 101 Squadron, along with their signatures. This would have shown the true value of team Maximum Effort as depicted in your painting.

You will discern from my comments that I have been a hands-on mechanic all my life, starting in the RAF and working my way through to holding qualifications on most of the present day civil jet aircraft.

Again, thanks for the wonderful painting.

Yours sincerely
Ken

Hi Sean, I have just received the prints and they are outstanding to say the least …………..the Dambuster newspaper also looks like it’s full of great reading, not a bad effort on your part to get them all to me so fast.

I am definitely still going to purchase the other two prints, Tirpitz Revisited and Time to Go, within the next month.

With regards to the video I am assuming it comes with the Tirpitz print as this depicts the PRU mission, if not I am happy to purchase it as there is very little on offer here in the way of limited production historical videos.

Hello Sean,

Prints arrived today in perfect condition and are now at the framers!

Many thanks for the superb service.

Once my Visa card has recovered I will again be in touch. Some of the prints included in the brochures/leaflets are VERY tempting! I can see this new pastime is going to prove expensive!

Kindest regards,

Brian (Australia)