THE DUXFORD AIRSHOW WITH GERALD COULSON – 4th & 5th of SEPTEMBER

Please note that due to the scale of this outstanding event at IWM Duxford, the UK Gallery in Wendover will be CLOSED on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th September.

We will be joined in our marquee at this great event by one of the world's foremost Aviation Artists along with the following guests from the US and Germany:

Aviation Artist GERALD COULSON VPGAvA – having been at the forefront of the industry for more than 40 years, Gerald is one of the biggest selling artists in the history of aviation art and remains one of the foremost names in the genre .

Col CHARLES McGEE – graduating from flight school he shipped out to Italy in December 1943, joining the 302nd Fighter Squadron, 332nd FG – the legendary Tuskegee Airmen – flying the P-51 Mustang. Flying missions in North Africa, Italy and Germany, he got his first victory on 24th August on the Ploesti raid notching up two more by the end of WWII. After the war he commanded various fighter squadrons throughout the United States, Italy, the Philippines and Germany, logging up more than 6,100 hours in 409 combat missions spanning World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Serving in the Air Force for 30 years he still holds the record for flying more combat missions than any other USAF pilot in history.

Lt Col CLYDE EAST – volunteering for the RCAF in 1941 he first flew Spitfires and then Mustangs on combat operations from England with 414 Squadron – a photo reconnaissance unit. In January 1944, he transferred to the USAAF, joining the 10th PRG flying P-51F6s scoring his first victory over an Fw190, on D-Day. He became known as one of the best photo reconnaissance pilots of the war and the final few months saw his victories mount steadily. By the end of hostilities he was the highest scoring Ace in the Group with 14 ½ victories and had completed over 200 combat missions during WWII. He later flew another 100 combat missions during the Korean War and in 1962 was decorated for recon missions during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Capt JOHN LEE – at the age of 18, he joined the Army Air Corp and was assigned to the Gulf Coast Training Command in Texas receiving his Wings on March 15, 1944. Flying the P-51 Mustang he took part in 52 combat missions with the 79th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group based at Kings Cliffe conducting high altitude escort missions to B-17 and B-24 Bombers. He was later promoted to Flight Commander and escorted British Mosquitos on Photo Reconnaissance Missions over Czechoslovakia, as well as low level strafing missions over the Channel, the Normandy landings and during the Battle of the Bulge.

Fähnrich MANFRED LEISEBEIN – joining the Luftwaffe in the summer of 1943, aged 18, Manfred Leisebein completed his fighter pilot’s training and was posted to 3./JG52 in Russia flying Messerschmitt Me109s. he flew a total of 37 combat missions all on the Eastern Front and scored a total of 5 aerial victories with JG52, and was awarded the Iron cross II.

Our guests are happy to sign and personalise items for our customers and purchases from us at the event of over £40 may be autographed free of charge with all other items subject to a signing fee. Please feel free to join us for free refreshments and view one of the world's most extensive displays of aviation art.

This promises to be memorable occasion and we’re sure you’re aware that bringing these veterans together is becoming an increasingly difficult task, so we are grateful for the rare opportunity to meet these amazing men.

Please feel free to join us for free refreshments and have your items autographed in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere – we look forward to seeing you there.

LAST FLIGHT HOME - GICLÉE STUDIO PROOF ON CANVAS

A NEW PAIR OF GICLÉE STUDIO PROOFS ON CANVAS
FEATURING THE HEAVY BOMBERS OF RAF BOMBER COMMAND & THE US EIGHTH AIR FORCE DURING WORLD WAR II

The world’s premier aviation artist, Robert Taylor, has authorised that these new Giclée Studio Proofs on canvas can be taken from his classic Masterwork paintings – Last Flight Home and Return of the Belle.

RETURN OF THE BELLE - GICLÉE STUDIO PROOF ON CANVAS

A Robert Taylor classic - the first Giclée Studio Proofs released in this new series – RETURN OF THE FEW and MORAL SUPPORT - quickly SOLD OUT and we expect demand for these two outstanding images to be even greater. Please contact us now for availability or to reserve your special number.

Matching numbered pairs are available while stocks last.

DAMBUSTERS & 617 SQN GALLERY EVENT - 11th September

We could not miss a fantastic opportunity to bring Grant McDonald over from Canada to the Wendover gallery for an increasingly rare opportunity to meet veterans of the most audacious Bombing raid of WWII.

Flt Sgt GRANT McDONALD RCAF – during the Dams Raid he was the rear gunner on Lancaster AJ-F piloted by Ken Brown and during an eventful trip into the Ruhr had already shot up three trains. They were forced to attack the Sorpe dam along its length without bouncing upkeep and had to make eight runs before their bomb was released, scoring a direct hit.

Sqn Ldr GEORGE JOHNSON DFM – he initially served with 97 Squadron before being posted to 617 Squadron for the Dambusters raid and was Bomb Aimer on Lancaster AJ-T, piloted by Joe McCarthy. During the raid they attacked the Sorpe Dam for which he was awarded the DFM and was commissioned shortly after. He left the RAF in 1962.

Cpl KEN LUCAS – already a very experienced fitter Ken was transferred to 617 Sqn on its formation to become a member of the elite unit's ground crew. He was intricately involved in carrying out the modifications to the aircraft right up to the night of the raid and on many of the unit’s subsequent missions.

We are also joined by other veterans that flew Lancasters with 617 Sqn during WWII, so please join us and help us to welcome:

Sqn Ldr TOM BENNET DFM, W.O FRANK TILLEY, W.O RON SMITH & Flt Lt HAROLD RIDING


Our guests are happy to sign and personalise items for our customers and purchases from us at the event of over £40 may be autographed free of charge with all other items subject to a signing fee. Please feel free to join us for free refreshments and view one of the worlds most extensive displays of aviation art.

Our regular customers and friends know how busy these events can be so if you would like to come along to the Gallery events, please call one of the team and request your free invitation. We will then allocate a time to you to ensure that we can manage numbers in the Gallery at any one time, both for your comfort and to ensure we take the necessary steps to look after our veterans and make sure things run smoothly for them.

If you are new to the experience, just give us a call and we can talk you through how things work and look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful 16th Century building, which houses possibly the most extensive collection of Aviation artwork and original paintings in the world!

ACES HIGH COMMEMORATES THE ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY IN Ste MÈRE ÉGLISE

June 6th 1944 saw one of the most significant events in military history – the Allied invasion of occupied Europe and subsequent advance through Europe.

We are delighted to confirm that our extensive exhibition at the Airborne Museum in Sainte Mère Église will run to the end of September and features a large display of
military and D-Day related artwork. So if you are visiting the region please come and see us in this historic location.