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Lysander aircraft of
161 Special Operation squadron shown in aviation art prints by top
aviation artists. The Lysander played a major role in supplying S.O.E
(Special Operations Executive) agents to France to Help French
resistance fighters. Lysander prints also signed by Sir Lewis
Hodges KCB, CBE, DSO, DFC. These Lysander prints available form
aviation art prints part of Cranston Fine Arts.
Little attention is given to the role played by agents and resistance
workers in the success of the D-Day landings. Inspired by the
stories of one such agent, this picture depicts him being lifted from a
field near Paris in May 1944 and returned to England. The Lysander will
fly at tree-top level all the way home and eventually land at Tempsford in
Bedfordshire, England. After a thorough briefing the Lysander will
return to occupied France to co-ordinate sabotage against the transport
network and disruption of communications to hamper the enemy efforts to
bring reinforcements against the landing grounds and beaches
Lysander Pick Up by Graeme Lothian. A Lysander of 161 Squadron from RAF Tempsford banks
to port as it circles a field somewhere in France 1943. These missions
only took place on or around the full moon period to pick up or drop off
SOE agents with the help of the Resistance. 161 Squadron, the most
secret of all RAF squadrons, had in its flight, Lysanders, Hudsons, and
Halifaxs which carried out parachute operations. Two of 161s top
pilots Hugh Verity and Lewis Hodges both received the DSO and bar and
DFC and bar, and from France the Legion dHonneur and the Croix de
Guerre.
Stealth 1944 by Steve Gibbs Little attention is given to the role played by agents and resistance
workers in the success of the D-Day landings. Inspired by the
stories of one such agent, this picture depicts him being lifted from a
field near Paris in May 1944 and returned to England. The Lysander will
fly at tree-top level all the way home and eventually land at Tempsford in
Bedfordshire, England. After a thorough briefing the Lysander will
return to occupied France to co-ordinate sabotage against the transport
network and disruption of communications to hamper the enemy efforts to
bring reinforcements against the landing grounds and beaches |
| Lysander Pick Up by Graeme Lothian. A Lysander of 161 Squadron from RAF Tempsford banks to port as it circles a field somewhere in France 1943. These missions only took place on or around the full moon period to pick up or drop off SOE agents with the help of the Resistance. 161 Squadron, the most secret of all RAF squadrons, had in its flight, Lysanders, Hudsons, and Halifaxes which carried out parachute operations. Two of 161s top pilots Hugh Verity and Lewis Hodges both received the DSO & bar and DFC & bar, and from France the Legion dHonneur and the Croix de Guerre. Signed limited edition of 1150 prints. Special Promotion : This print is 30% off for a limited time only! Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £73.92
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs, signed by Sir Lewis Hodges. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £135.00
Limited edition of 250 prints, signed by Sir Lewis Hodges, DOS, DFC, Legion d Honneur and Croix de Guerre. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £98.00
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £460.00
Original painting by Graeme Lothian. Size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £2500.00 ITEM CODE DHM1155 |
| Only the Brave by Philip West. A Lysander prepares to leave its base on yet another dangerous and secret mission to drop agents into occupied France during WWII. Agents and Pilots alike, took great personal risk during these operations. Pilots having to navigate by map, timing and sight, find and land in fields in the dead of night. Agents having to slip away into the countryside, constantly aware that the enemy could discover them at any moment. They were the bravest of the brave. Signed limited edition of 100 prints. Paper size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £95.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant R G (Bob) Large, DFC, Legion d Honneur.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £125.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant R G (Bob) Large, DFC, Legion d Honneur and Captain Murray Anderson DFC*.
Limited edition of 10 Remarques. Image size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £375.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant R G (Bob) Large, DFC, Legion d Honneur and Captain Murray Anderson DFC*. ITEM CODE DHM1602 |
| Loire Rendezvous by Philip West. Lysanders of 161 Special Operations Squadron turn onto their final course to a clandestine landing field somewhere in central occupied France during a full moon period in 1943. Based at Tempsford, Bedfordshire and often operating from Tangmere to shorten the flight, the pilots flew a dead reckoning course to their first turning point, usually on the River Loire, using rudimentary navigating equipment. The moonlit town of Blois is easily distinguishable by its chateau, churches and bridge with the Forest of Chambord beyond. The agents in the rear cockpit prepare themselves by torchlight for the forthcoming landing. Signed limited edition of 250 prints. Paper size 28 inches x 20 inches (71cm x 51cm). Price £95.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant Peter Arkell, Captain Murray Anderson DFC*, Flight Lieutenant R G (Bob) Large, DFC, Legion d Honneur and Air Chief Marshal Sir Lewis Hodges KCB CBE DSO DFC*.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Paper size 28 inches x 20 inches (71cm x 51cm). Price £155.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant Peter Arkell, Captain Murray Anderson DFC*, Flight Lieutenant R G (Bob) Large, DFC, Legion d Honneur, Air Chief Marshal Sir Lewis Hodges KCB CBE DSO DFC*, Major E H Van Maurik, Nancy Wake, GM, Legion dhonneur, Croix De Guerre, French Resistance Medal, US Medal of Freedom., Captain George Millar, D.S.O., M.C., Flying Office J A Tommy Thomas and Donald Dunstan. ITEM CODE DHM2201 |
| Stealth 1944 by Steve Gibbs. Little attention is given to the role played by agents and resistance workers in the success of the D-Day landings. Inspired by the stories of one such agent, this picture depicts him being lifted from a field near Paris in May 1944 and returned to England. The Lysander will fly at tree-top level all the way home and eventually land at Tempsford in Bedfordshire, England. After a thorough briefing the Lysander will return to occupied France to co-ordinate sabotage against the transport network and disruption of communications to hamper the enemy efforts to bring reinforcements against the landing grounds and beaches. Limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 11 inches x 16 inches (28cm x 41cm). Price £36.00 ITEM CODE DHM2545 |
| Moonlight by Gerald Coulson. Flying secret agents in and out of occupied France, transporting arms and radio equipment to the Resistance, and collecting downed airmen from behind enemy lines, was one of the most hazardous flying operations of World War II. These cloak and dagger sorties, always conducted at night by the light of the moon, required a cool head and inordinate flying and navigational skills – a duty performed courageously by the pilots of RAF Special Duty Squadrons. Due to their clandestine nature, the true magnitude of their operations only became fully appreciated when the war was over. Signed limited edition of 350 prints. Print paper size 19 inches x 16 inches (48cm x 41cm). Price £65.00 Signatories: Flt Lt Peter Arkell.
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Print paper size 19 inches x 16 inches (48cm x 41cm). Price £135.00 Signatories: Flt Lt Peter Arkell. ITEM CODE DHM2594 |
| They Landed by Moonlight by Robert Taylor. To fly a small aircraft at the dead of night, without radio communication or navigational assistance, deep into enemy-occupied territory, was an extremely perilous task. To then land on an unlit remote field, deliver secret agents, collect Resistance leaders, or downed airmen and fly them home without attracting the attentions of enemy night fighters, was appallingly risky work. Yet throughout World War II the prime function of the pilots of the RAFs Special Duties Squadrons was to fly time and again into occupied France, in utmost secrecy, under the cover of darkness. It was acutely dangerous work requiring inordinate flying and navigational skills, and supreme courage. Most suited to these clandestine operations was the rugged Westland Lysander, operations being conducted, weather permitting, during the moons fullest phase. Guided only by torch light, the pilot made a hazardous night landing into an isolated field at a pre-arranged time, trusting that agents on the ground had checked the field for cart tracks and loitering Gestapo. Every mission required ice cool bravery and nerves of steel. Signed limited edition of 750 prints. Paper size 31 inches x 24 inches (79cm x 61cm). Price £200.00 Signed by Captain Murray Anderson DFC*, Lieutenant Colonel Francis Cammaerts DSO, Air Chief Marshal Sir Lewis Hodges KCB CBE DSO DFC*, Wing Commander Len Ratcliff DSO DFC and Group Captain Hugh Verity DSO* DFC.
Limited edition of artist proofs. Paper size 31 inches x 24 inches (79cm x 61cm). Price £325.00 Signed by Captain Murray Anderson DFC*, Lieutenant Colonel Francis Cammaerts DSO, Air Chief Marshal Sir Lewis Hodges KCB CBE DSO DFC*, Wing Commander Len Ratcliff DSO DFC and Group Captain Hugh Verity DSO* DFC.
Limited edition of 25 remarques. Paper size 31 inches x 24 inches (79cm x 61cm). Price £ Signed by Captain Murray Anderson DFC*, Lieutenant Colonel Francis Cammaerts DSO, Air Chief Marshal Sir Lewis Hodges KCB CBE DSO DFC*, Wing Commander Len Ratcliff DSO DFC and Group Captain Hugh Verity DSO* DFC. ITEM CODE RT0310 |
| A Westland Lysander by Gleed.
Open edition print. Special Promotion : This print is 30% off for a limited time only! Image size 18 inches x 14 inches (46cm x 36cm). Price £31.92 ITEM CODE VAR0323 |
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Moonlight by Gerald Coulson.
Flying secret
agents in and out of occupied France, transporting arms and radio
equipment to the Resistance, and collecting downed airmen from behind
enemy lines, was one of the most hazardous flying operations of World
War II. These cloak and dagger sorties, always conducted at night by the
light of the moon, required a cool head and inordinate flying and
navigational skills – a duty performed courageously by the pilots of
RAF Special Duty Squadrons. Due to their clandestine nature, the true
magnitude of their operations only became fully appreciated when the war
was over.
Signatories: Flt Lt Peter Arkell.
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| They Landed by Moonlight by Robert Taylor
A Lysander drops resistance personnel.
To fly a small aircraft at the dead of night, without radio
communication or navigational assistance, deep into enemy-occupied
territory, was an extremely perilous task. To then land on an unlit
remote field, deliver secret agents, collect Resistance leaders, or downed
airmen and fly them home without attracting the attentions of enemy night
fighters, was appallingly risky work. Yet throughout World War II the
prime function of the pilots of the RAF's Special Duties Squadrons was to
fly time and again into occupied France, in utmost secrecy, under the
cover of darkness. It was acutely dangerous work requiring
inordinate flying and navigational skills, and supreme courage.
Most suited to these clandestine operations was the rugged Westland
Lysander, operations being conducted, weather permitting, during the
moon's fullest phase. Guided only by torch light, the pilot made a
hazardous night landing into an isolated field at a pre-arranged time,
trusting that agents on the ground had checked the field for cart tracks
and loitering Gestapo. Every missions required ice cool bravery and
nerves of steel. |
Special Duties by Robert Taylor
Companion print to Artist Proof and Remarque editions
of "They Landed by Moonlight".(14" x
18")
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| Loire Rendezvous by Philip West
Lysanders of 161 Special Operations Squadron turn onto their final
course to a clandestine landing field somewhere in central occupied
France during a full moon period in 1943. Based at Tempsford,
Bedfordshire and often operating from Tangmere to shorten the flight,
the pilots flew a dead reckoning course to their first turning point,
usually on the River Loire, using rudimentary navigating equipment. The
moonlit town of Blois is easily distinguishable by its chateau, churches
and bridge with the forest of Chambord beyond. The agents in the rear
cockpit prepare themselves by torchlight for the forthcoming landing.
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Lysander Pilots:
 | ACM Sir Lewis Hodges, KCB, CBE, DSO, DFC. |
| Flt Lt Peter Arkell, OBE, USAF Medal of
Distinction. |
| Flt Lt Murray Anderson, DFC, US Air Medal. |
| Flt Lt R G (Bob) LArge, DFC, Legion
d'Honneur. |
|
Secret Agents:
| Nancy Wake, GM, Legion d'Honneur, Croix De
Guerre, French Resistance Medal, US Medal of Freedom (The
most highly decorated servicewoman in WW2). |
| Major E H Van Maurik (OBE MiL). |
| Captain George R Millar, DSO, MC. |
| and Flg Off J A Thomas (Lysander Mail Drop Operator) & Cpl Donald Dunstan (Flight
Mechanic) |
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