NEW RELEASE FROM ROBERT TAYLOR

A new limited edition to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Operation Tonga - the taking of Pegasus Bridge

OUT OF THE NIGHT - THE FIRST TO GO IN

This new graphite edition from the master aviation artist is another tribute to the men that fought during D-Day and carries a superb line up of original signatures of veterans that took part in this most historic of battles. Contact us now for availability on the editions.

A SUPERB SIGNING EVENT AT THE UK GALLERY – SUNDAY 5th JULY

We have the great honour of hosting - all at the same event – a fantastic line up of veterans who took part in two of the most historic battles of WWII - the aerial conflict of the Battle of Britain during the Summer of 1940, and the Allied invasion of occupied Europe on D-Day 6th June 1944.

THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN

Following the battle of France, Hitler turned his attention to an attack on Great Britain but before his invasion could begin, it was crucial for the Luftwaffe to gain air superiority over the RAF. Throughout the summer and Autumn of 1940 the massively outnumbered RAF defended the shores of Britain against the might of the Luftwaffe in what is considered by many as the most significant turning point of the war. In the words of British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill; “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

We are delighted to be joined by some outstanding veterans who flew in combat during the Battle of Britain:

Flight Lieutenant RON BRAMLEY - as a W.Op/Air Gunner with 22 Sqn he served on Bristol Beauforts between June – December 1940 attacking Channel Ports and airfields on the French Coast including Cambrai.

Squadron Leader PETER BROWN AFC - joining 611 Sqn in 1939 he flew early convoy patrols over Dunkirk and with 41 Sqn flew Spitfires throughout the Battle of Britain, scoring four victories. He transferred to 61 Sqn OTU as an instructor in 1942.

Flight Lieutenant ALBERT GREGORY DFC - originally posted to 141 Sqn flying Blenheims before serving with 219 Sqn throughout the Battle of Britain on Beaufighters. He later spent time with 23, 275 and 278 (ASR) Squadrons.

Group Captain RON DUCKENFIELD AFC - he spent time with 74 Sqn before joining 501 Sqn and saw constant action on Hurricanes during the Battle of Britain. He later took command of 615 Sqn in the Far East, but was taken PoW by the Japanese.

Flight Lieutenant BEN BENT DFC - flew as a Radar /W.Op on Blenheims on night fighter duties throughout the Battle of Britain and later a Navigator on Beaufighters and Mosquitoes assisting in seven victories including the first enemy aircraft shot down on D-Day.

THE NORMANDY INVASION

D-Day 6th June 1944 saw the beginning of what is considered by many as the most decisive turning point in modern British history – the Allied invasion of occupied Europe. From these initial landings until the Allied breakout in late-July, there was an enormous coordinated effort by land, sea and air.

As we continue our commemorations of the 65th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, we are delighted to be joined by a superb line up of guests which include several veterans who took part in the first landings on Gliders during the early hours of D-Day as part of the Coup de Main operation into Pegasus Bridge.

Sergeant ‘TICH’ RAYNER - part of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, from the 6th Airborne Division, he landed as part of the Coup-de-Main operation on Glider No 4 into Normandy during the early hours of D-Day 6th June 1944

Private ALF WHITBREAD - served with 17 Platoon of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Landed as part of the Coup de Main operation on Glider No.6 into Pegasus bridge in the early hours of D-Day.

Private BILLY GRAY - the first man out of Glider No. 1 into Pegasus Bridge as part of the Coup de Main operation in the early hours of D-Day. He served with 25 Platoon of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.

Lance Bombardier BILL SPRING - landing at Arromanches on D-Day +5 with the 323 Battery Field Regiment Royal Artillery, 53rd (W) Division, he saw action around Caen, Hill 112 and the Falaise Gap. By VE-Day in May ’45 he had fought through to Germany

Private BERT COOPER - with the 5th Battalion East Yorks Regiment, 50 Division, he was among the first wave to land on D-Day at Gold Beach and went on to see action throughout the invasion including at Arnhem and in the Ardennes.

Craftsman DOUG AUSTIN - having landed with the 3rd Battalion Scots Guards, 6th Guard Tank Brigade, he fought from Caen with the advancing troops through Villers Bocage and the Falaise Gap. He saw action all the way through to Germany on VE-Day in May ’45.

Able Seaman ‘TED’ OVERSTALL - on D-Day he served on HMS Bellona which was situated just off Omaha Beach and offered anti-aircraft protection for the US Battleships Texas and Nevada who were bombarding the beach to aide the advancing US troops.

W/Bombardier LES PRING MM - landing at Gold Beach on D-Day he served with 492/128 (H) Highland Field Regiment, Royal Artillery as a Forward Observer to direct Naval gunfire. On D+4 in the Ranville area, the village was counter-attacked by Germans yet he stayed in direct gunfire all day for which he was awarded the Military Medal. He also took part in the Rhine crossing before serious injury.

FLYING LEGENDS AIRSHOW, Duxford - SATURDAY 11th & SUNDAY 12th JULY

Please come along, visit our exhibition and join us for a drink!

VULCAN TRIBUTE - SATURDAY 18th JULY

For the first time at the UK Gallery, we are delighted to announce that we will be joined by a number of Aircrew who all flew this delta wing subsonic jet bomber, the Avro Vulcan. Full details will be updated on the website shortly including information about a New Release especially for this event.

YORKSHIRE AIR MUSEUM, Elvington - SUNDAY 19th JULY

We are pleased to be attending the ‘Battle of the Bombers’ signing event arranged by the Museum, where there will be 25 Bomber Command Air crew present for the day. For further details please contact the Museum direct.

WAR & PEACE SHOW Hop Farm, Kent - WEDNESDAY 22nd - SUNDAY 26th JULY

Renowned for being ‘The Largest Military Vehicle Spectacular in the World’ we will be displaying some of our finest pieces of artwork so please visit our marquee if you are attending.

SPITFIRE SHOW - SATURDAY 1st AUGUST

We will be paying tribute to this legendary aircraft with a show at the UK Gallery for which we will be joined by TEN pilots who all flew the Supermarine Spitfire during WWII. Please keep and eye on the website closer to the time for further details about this exciting event.




Further details will be released about all of our shows 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 shows and spaces are filling up fast so contact us to guarantee your place.

THE 65th ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY

DAWN TILL DUSK by Richard Taylor

A truly superb new release by this rapidly developing artist - possibly the best he has released so far - features Fighter Ace Johnnie Johnson leading MkIX Spitfires of his 144 Canadian Wing after a long day of operations over Normandy, shortly after D-Day.

The pencil editions in particular will be highly prized so please contact us as soon as possible so as not to miss out!