THE GREAT ESCAPE By Richard Taylor

This outstanding new release carries superb signatures and will be launched at our GREAT ESCAPE event with Richard Taylor - an ideal opportunity to add further signatures at no extra charge.

Just TEN exclusive Remarques will be issued - call now for availability.

'THE GREAT ESCAPE’ – STALAG LUFT III SIGNING EVENT - 21st MARCH

On 24th March 1944 after almost a year in planning, prisoners of Stalag Luft III began an audacious plot at a mass break out - this famous operation became known as ‘The Great Escape’. Our event will bring together veterans who were involved this legendary attempt and others who were in Stalag Luft III, as well as one of the most talented artists in the industry:

Aviation Artist RICHARD TAYLOR - a young talent not to be ignored, he is already regarded as the leading exponent of pencil work in the industry and with a number of very successful editions behind him, is carving out an exciting career for himself.

Flt Lt JACK LYON - a Pilot with RAF Bomber Command, he was shot down in June 1941 on the German /Dutch border and taken PoW. He was moved to Stalag Luft III in April 1942 and played the crucial role as a Stooge during ‘The Great Escape’.

W.O. RON WADE - a Wop/Air Gunner with 58 Sqn on Whitleys he was shot down in January 1941 bombing Wilhelmshaven. Originally in Stalag Luft I, he went on to be both a Stooge and Penguin in Stalag Luft III prior to ‘The Great Escape’.

P/Off RICHARD ‘Dick’ STARKEY - he was with 106 Sqn as a Pilot on Lancasters when his aircraft was shot down in March 1944. After hospitalisation he moved to Stalag Luft III arriving within days of the execution of 50 escapees.

Flt Lt AUBREY NINER - a Blenheim Pilot with 88 Sqn, he was shot down over Lille in July 1942 and during one of several planned attempts from Stalag Luft III he was a gymnast in the famous Wooden Horse escape plot prior to ‘The Great Escape’.

Sqn Ldr ALFIE FRIPP - an Observer on Blenheims with 57 Squadron he was one of the first aircrew to be taken captive during WWII in October 1939. Sent to Stalag Luft III he was responsible for collecting the Red Cross parcels from the nearby train station, where he would bribe Polish workers for maps of the local area for escapees.

ANGUS LENNIE - we have the great honour of welcoming this world famous actor who played a starring role as Flying Officer Archibald ‘The Mole’ Ives in the 1963 Hollywood movie ‘The Great Escape’.

BATTLE OF BRITAIN EVENT WITH DAME VERA LYNN - 28th MARCH

We continue our fantastic series of events to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and pay tribute to the men of the RAF who fought bravely during the Summer and Autumn of 1940 with a superb event where we will also be joined by a true icon of the 20th Century:

Dame VERA LYNN - affectionately known as ‘The Forces’ Sweetheart’ she gained huge fame during WWII for supporting the troops and performing concerts overseas. She was the first British artist ever to have a no 1 in the US and her vast post-war career performing all over the world continued until the late 1960’s. With a career now spanning into the 21st century, Dame Vera became the oldest living artist to have a No.1 album in September 2009 at the age of 92 and is a true British icon.

Sqn Ldr PERCIVAL BEAKE DFC - he flew Spitfires with 64 Sqn during the Battle of Britain, later serving with 92, 601 and 193 Squadrons. From May 1944 he commanded 164 Sqn, flying Typhoons and finished the War with two confirmed victories.

Flt Lt WILLIAM WALKER - called up in September 1939 he joined 616 Sqn on Spitfires flying throughout the Battle of Britain. Baling out in August 1940 he spent time in hospital before rejoining the squadron and also went on to serve with 116 Sqn.

Flt Lt TERRY CLARK DFM AE - he flew Blenheims in the Battle of Britain with 219 Sqn as a WOp/AG and was awarded the DFM for the destruction of three enemy aircraft at night. He also spent time with 1455 and 1451 Flights and 488 (NZ) Sqn.

Sqn Ldr MICHAEL WAINWRIGHT - joining 64 Sqn in 1939, he flew Blenheims and Spitfires at the height of the Battle of Britain. After being shot down on a fighter sweep over France he became an instructor, finishing the war on Dakotas in Africa.

Flt Lt RICHARD JONES - from July 1940 he flew Spitfires with 64 Sqn in the heavy fighting over the Channel during the Battle of Britain. He later joined 19 Sqn at Fowlmere and was heavily involved in the fighter sweeps taking place at that time.

Wg Cdr TERENCE KANE - he was with 234 Sqn flying Spitfires during the Battle of Britain claiming two victories, however after being forced to bale out into the sea off the French coast at the height of the Battle he spent the rest of the War as a PoW.

We are delighted to announce that we will also be joined for this exciting event by a very SPECIAL GUEST!

Oberlt WALTER SCHUCK KC - he flew Me109s with JG5 on the Arctic Front and by June 1943 reached 100 victories. Two days later he achieved 12 victories in 24 hours which was a feat never surpassed in JG5 making him the leading fighter pilot on the Arctic Front. He transferred to 3./JG7 flying the Me262 claiming 8 victories for a total of 206 and was awarded the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves. He and other pilots would risk serious disciplinary action by tuning in to the BBC whilst flying on the Arctic Front, just to listen to Vera Lynn. At this event Walter will fulfil a life long ambition by meeting Dame Vera for the first time.



UP & COMING DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

EASTER WEEKEND - 2nd - 5th APRIL
Please be aware that our UK Gallery will be CLOSED for Easter on the following dates:
Friday 2nd April
Saturday 3rd April
Sunday 4th April
Monday 5th April


617 SQUADRON SIGNING – 11th APRIL

BATTLE OF BRITAIN EVENT – 17th APRIL

Watch this space for more information…

Further details will be released about all of our events as soon as they become available.

For those of you who have been to one of our signing events recently, you will be aware that they have been extremely busy, so we would kindly ask anyone who wants to attend to call or email to reserve your ticket as soon as possible. We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome our new friends and customers and assure you all that these events really do promise to be occasions not to be missed.

Entry to our events is FREE but STRICTLY by ticket only. Our guests are happy to sign items for customers and purchases of £40 or more can be signed free of charge - all other items will be subject to a signing fee.

Bookings are now being taken for each of these events and spaces are filling up so contact us soon to guarantee your place.

AN OUTSTANDING NEW RELEASE

ACTION THIS DAY by Richard Taylor

This outstanding new edition is one of Richard's best so far, featuring Halifax LV907 ‘Friday 13th’, carrying superb signatures of 158 Sqn.

Remarques & Tributes will sell out quickly so please call for availability