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Aviation art print showing the
Spitfires of 433 (Canadian) Squadron by Robert Taylor. Aviation art print
available from Cranston Fine Arts, published by Universal Publishing.
The name Robert Taylor has been synonymous with aviation art over a quarter of a century. His paintings of aircraft, more than those of any other artist, have helped popularise a genre which at the start of this remarkable artist's career had little recognition in the world of fine art. When he burst upon the scene in the mid-1970s his vibrant, expansive approach to the subject was a revelation. His paintings immediately caught the imagination of enthusiasts and collectors alike . He became an instant success. As a boy, Robert seemed always to have a pencil in his hand. Aware of his natural gift from an early age, he never considered a career beyond art, and with unwavering focus, set out to achieve his goal. Leaving school at fifteen, he has never worked outside the world of art. After two years at the Bath School of Art he landed a job as an apprentice picture framer with an art gallery in Bath, the city where Robert has lived and worked all his life. Already competent with
water-colours the young apprentice took every opportunity to study the works of other artists and, after trying his hand at oils, quickly determined he could paint to the same standard as much of the art it was his job to frame. Soon the gallery was selling his paintings, and the owner, recognising Roberts talent, promoted him to the busy picture-restoring department. Here, he repaired and restored all manner of paintings and drawings, the expertise he developed becoming the foundation of his career as a professional artist. Picture restoration is an exacting skill, requiring the ability to emulate the techniques of other painters so as to render the damaged area of the work undetectable. After a decade of diligent application, Robert became one of the most capable picture restorers outside London. Today he attributes his versatility to the years he spent painstakingly working on the paintings of others artists. After fifteen years at the gallery, by chance he was introduced to Pat Barnard, whose military publishing business happened also to be located in the city of Bath. When offered the chance to become a full-time painter, Robert leapt at the opportunity. Within a few months of becoming a professional artist, he saw his first works in print. Roberts early career was devoted to maritime paintings, and he achieved early success with his prints of naval subjects, one of his admirers being Lord Louis
Mountbatten. He exhibited successfully at the Royal Society of Marine Artists in London and soon his popularity attracted the attention of the media. Following a major feature on his work in a leading national daily newspaper he was invited to appear in a BBC Television
programme. This led to a string of commissions for the Fleet Air Arm Museum who, understandably, wanted aircraft in their maritime paintings. It was the start of Roberts career as an aviation artist. Fascinated since childhood by the big, powerful machines that man has invented, switching from one type of hardware to another has never troubled him. Being an artist of the old school, Robert tackled the subject of painting aircraft with the same gusto as with his large, action-packed maritime pictures - big compositions supported by powerful and dramatic skies, painted on large canvases. It was a formula new to the aviation art genre, at the time not used to such sweeping canvases, but one that came naturally to an artist whose approach appeared to have origins in an earlier classical period. Roberts aviation paintings are instantly
recognisable. He somehow manages to convey all the technical detail of aviation in a traditional and painterly style, reminiscent of the Old Masters. With uncanny ability, he is able to recreate scenes from the past with a carefully rehearsed realism that few other artists ever manage to achieve. This is partly due to his prodigious research but also his attention to detail: Not for him shiny new factory-fresh aircraft looking like museum specimens. His trade mark, flying machines that are battle-scarred, worse for wear, with dings down the fuselage, chips and dents along the leading edges of wings, oil stains trailing from engine cowlings, paintwork faded with dust and grime; his planes are real! Roberts aviation works have drawn crowds in the international arena since the early 1980s. He has exhibited throughout the US and Canada, Australia, Japan and in Europe. His one-man exhibition at the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC was hailed as the most popular art exhibition ever held there. His paintings hang in many of the worlds great aviation museums, adorn boardrooms, offices and homes, and his limited edition prints are avidly collected all around the world. A family man with strong Christian values, Robert devotes most of what little spare time he has to his home life. Married to Mary for thirty five years, they have five children, all now grown up. Neither fame nor fortune has turned his head. He is the same easy-going, gentle character he was when setting out on his painting career all those years ago, but now with a confidence that comes with the knowledge that he has mastered his profession.
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The Battle for Britain by Robert Taylor.
A Battle of Britain Spitfire from 610 Squadron takes on a Me109 from I./JG3 in a head-on attack high over the south coast port of Dover, in the late morning of 10 July 1940.
Fighter Edition. Signed limited edition of 400 prints, with four signatures. Paper size 29 inches x 23 inches (74cm x 58cm). Price £200.00 Signed by Wing Commander Terence Kane, Group Captain Tom Dalton Morgan DSO, DFC*, OBE (deceased), Flight Lieutenant Richard L Jones and Squadron Leader Jocelyn G P Millard (deceased).
Limited edition of 30 artist proofs, with six signatures. Paper size 29 inches x 23 inches (74cm x 58cm). Price £395.00 Signed by Wing Commander Terence Kane, Group Captain Tom Dalton Morgan DSO, DFC*, OBE (deceased), Flight Lieutenant Richard L Jones, Squadron Leader Jocelyn G P Millard (deceased), General Gunther Rall (deceased) and Oberleutnant Gunther Seeger.
Knights Cross Edition. Signed limited edition of 300 prints, with six signatures. Paper size 29 inches x 23 inches (74cm x 58cm). Price £250.00 Signed by Wing Commander Terence Kane, Group Captain Tom Dalton Morgan DSO, DFC*, OBE (deceased), Flight Lieutenant Richard L Jones, Squadron Leader Jocelyn G P Millard (deceased), General Gunther Rall (deceased) and Oberleutnant Gunther Seeger.
Battle of Britain Edition. Signed limited edition of 200 prints, with fourteen signatures. Paper size 29 inches x 23 inches (74cm x 58cm). Price £395.00 Signed by Wing Commander Terence Kane, Group Captain Tom Dalton Morgan DSO, DFC*, OBE (deceased), Flight Lieutenant Richard L Jones, Squadron Leader Jocelyn G P Millard (deceased), General Gunther Rall (deceased), Oberleutnant Gunther Seeger, Major Hans-Ekkehard Bob, Oberleutnant Erwin Leykauf (deceased), Wing Commander George Grumpy Unwin, DSO, DFM* (deceased), Wing Commander George W Swanwick, Group Captain George H Westlake DSO DFC (deceased), Wing Commander Wilfred M Sizer DFC* (deceased), Flight Lieutenant Michael E Croskell, and Wing Commander Paddy Barthropp DFC AFC (deceased).
Battle of Britain Edition. Limited edition of 25 Remarques. Paper size 29 inches x 23 inches (74cm x 58cm). Price £
ITEM CODE DHM2278
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Wings of Glory by Robert Taylor.
Robert Taylors spellbinding painting, Wings of Glory, paying tribute to Mitchells immortal fighter, features the MkX1X Spitfire of the RAFs Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Powered by the Rolls-Royce Griffin engine providing maximum speed of 450mph and a 44,000 feet operating ceiling, this lovingly restored aircraft thrills generations of aviation enthusiasts with her spectacular aerobatics at Europes summer air shows. This most beautiful of fighters gives a virtuoso performance, high among the clouds, alone in her magical element, she dances an aerial ballet like no other could.
Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Paper size 27 inches x 22 inches (69cm x 56cm). Price £175.00 Signed by Squadron Leader Neville Duke, DSO, OBE, DFC*, AFC, CzMC (deceased), Wing Commander John Freeborn DFC* (deceased), Chief Test Pilot Alex Henshaw (deceased) and Squadron Leader Basil Stapleton DFC (deceased).
Signed limited edition of 350 Battle of Britain Portfolios. Paper size 27 inches x 22 inches (69cm x 56cm). Price £235.00 Signed by Squadron Leader Neville Duke, DSO, OBE, DFC*, AFC, CzMC (deceased), Wing Commander John Freeborn DFC* (deceased), Chief Test Pilot Alex Henshaw (deceased), Squadron Leader Basil Stapleton DFC (deceased) and Air Commodore Peter Brothers CBE, DSO, DFC* (deceased) (companion print).
ITEM CODE RT0312
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Greycap Leader by Robert Taylor.
Leading 433 (Canadian) Squadron, top Allied Fighter Ace Johnnie Johnson -Greycap Leader - has already bagged an Fw190, and is hauling his MKIX Spitfire around looking for a second in heavy dog-fighting over the Rhine, September 1944. In the distance more enemy fighters appear, they too will receive the attention of the Canadians.
Signed limited edition of 850 prints. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm). Price £225.00 Signed by
Squadron Leader Danny Browne,
Wing Commander J F Stocky Edwards,
Squadron Leader Hartland Finlay (deceased),
Wing Commander Hugh Godefroy,
Air Vice Marshal Johnnie Johnson CB, CBE, DSO**, DFC* (deceased),
Lieutenant General Don Laubman,
Wing Commander Andy Mackenzie,
Wing Commander Robert G Middlemiss,
Flight Lieutenant Larry Robillard
and
Wing Commander Roderick Smith (deceased).
Limited edition of 85 artist proofs. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm). Price £325.00 Signed by
Squadron Leader Danny Browne,
Wing Commander J F Stocky Edwards,
Squadron Leader Hartland Finlay (deceased),
Wing Commander Hugh Godefroy,
Air Vice Marshal Johnnie Johnson CB, CBE, DSO**, DFC* (deceased),
Lieutenant General Don Laubman,
Wing Commander Andy Mackenzie,
Wing Commander Robert G Middlemiss,
Flight Lieutenant Larry Robillard
and
Wing Commander Roderick Smith (deceased).
ITEM CODE DHM2151
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Eagle Squadron Scramble by Robert Taylor
An outstanding painting commemorating the intrepid 240 American air men who volunteered to fly with the R.A.F. in their early struggle against the Luftwaffe before the U.S.A. joined the war. Taylors painting vibrated with the roar of the Spitfires Merlin engines as they Scramble into action. Goodson later became a 4th Fighter Group Ace.
Signed limited edition of 1500 prints. Paper size 25 inches x 20 inches (64cm x 51cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Colonel Jim Goodson.
ITEM CODE DHM2091
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Ramrod by Robert Taylor
During operation Ramrod 792 on April 25, 1944, leading his Spitfire wing, Johnnie Johnson had a long-running combat with an FW190. Robert Taylor shows the last moments of the duel which ended in victory for the Allied Air Forces leading fighter Ace.
Signed limited edition of 1500 prints. Paper size 24 inches x 20 inches (61cm x 51cm). Price £95.00 Signed by Air Vice Marshal Johnnie Johnson CB, CBE, DSO**, DFC* (deceased).
Signed edition of 200 prints. Paper size 24 inches x 20 inches (61cm x 51cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Air Vice Marshal Johnnie Johnson CB, CBE, DSO**, DFC* (deceased), Group Captain Tom Dalton Morgan DSO, DFC*, OBE (deceased), Squadron Leader Jocelyn G P Millard (deceased), Vivian Snell (deceased) and Flight Lieutenant Richard L Jones.
ITEM CODE DHM2095
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Head on Attack by Robert Taylor
On October 12, 1940, No. 603 Squadron, reduced to only eight aircraft, took on a large formation of Me109s attacking head on. Robert Taylors vivid portrayal shows Scott-Maldens Spitfire moments after knocking down an Me109 in the encounter, both he and his wingman coming through unscathed.
Signed limited edition of 1250 prints. Paper size 24 inches x 20 inches (61cm x 51cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Air Vice-Marshal David Scott-Malden (deceased).
ITEM CODE DHM2080
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First Combat by Robert Taylor
Don Kingaby is the only pilot in the RAF to have been awarded 3 DFMs. During his first combat on August 12, 1940, he severely damaged an JU88 over the Isle of Wight and Robert Taylor captures the moment of break, with the JU88 already smoking. Don Kingaby flew a further 450 operational sorties on Spitfires.
Signed limited edition of 990 prints. Paper size 24 inches x 20 inches (61cm x 51cm). Price £170.00 Signed by Wing Commander Don Kingaby DSO AFC DFM** DFC (USA) (deceased).
ITEM CODE DHM2081
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Uneven Odds by Robert Taylor
In August 1940, Frank Carey let No 43 Squadrons A Flight into Schwarms of JU87s, escorted by Me109s. Though hopelessly outnumbered, Carey accounted for 4 JU87s before running out of ammunition.
Signed limited edition of 990 prints. Paper size 24 inches x 20 inches (61cm x 51cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Group Captain Frank Carey (deceased).
ITEM CODE DHM2082
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Angels Three Zero by Robert Taylor
Bobby Oxspring in his 66 Squadron Spitfire destroys an ME109 of JF/53 Ace of Spades Group, in a high level attack at 30,000 feet above Dover, 18th September 1940.
Signed limited edition of 990 prints. Paper size 34 inches x 20 (86cm x 51cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Group Captain Bobby Oxsping (deceased).
ITEM CODE DHM2084
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Canadian Wing by Robert Taylor
Spitfires of Johnsons Canadian Wing, complete with Normandy Invasion markings, making a sweep above the Normandy beaches on the 6th June, 1944 - D-Day. Johnson and his Canadian pilots flew sweeps on this day from dawn till dusk, limited most of the day to 2000 ft. by the cloudbase.
Signed limited edition of 1500 prints. Paper size 24 inches x 20 inches (61cm x 51cm). Price £150.00 Signed by Air Vice Marshal Johnnie Johnson CB, CBE, DSO**, DFC* (deceased).
ITEM CODE DHM2126
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| The Battle for Britain by Robert Taylor
With the Battle of Britain in its early stages, on the morning of
Wednesday 10th July 1940, a convoy of slow-moving cargo ships heading
along the south coast came under attack from a formidable force of Dornier
Do17 bombers, escorted by five squadrons of fighters. RAF Fighter
Command scrambled several squadrons to meet the oncoming force in an
effort to protect the shi[s, and a massive dogfight involving more than a
hundred planes developed in the region of Dover. Ripping into
oncoming bombers, the RAF fighters attacked head-on - a hazardous tactic
requiring great courage, but highly effective in unnerving bomber crews,
causing the to swerve out of formation and abandon their target.
Head-on collisions were not uncommon. The great battle raged well
into the afternoon, and by evening the insurgents had been driven back to
their bases in France to lick their wounds. Only one direct hit was
scored by the enemy, when a 700 ton sloop was sunk. The Luftwaffe
lost nineteen aircraft, and although the RAF had seven aircraft damaged,
it lost only one pilot that day.. |
| Wings of Glory by Robert Taylor
"Achtung Spitfire!! Achtung Spitfire!!" The shrill,
nerve tingling words screamed over the intercoms that never failed to
bring fear and trepidation to the Luftwaffe bomber crews, and a rush of
adrenalin in the German fighter pilots. More than any fighter in the
history of aerial combat, the Spitfire has set aviators' emotions
racing. And, after 65 years, she does to this day!
Like her great adversary, the Messerschmitt Bf109, the Supermarine
Spitfire gained legendary status, both fighters becoming timeless symbols
of the opposing nations that contested the skies of Europe during World
War II. Drawing first blood in the Battle of Britain, their six year
duel continued without interruption till the end of the war.
Being directly descended from Mitchell's pre-war, all conquering
Supermarine racing seaplanes, the little all metal fighter arrived in the
RAF squadrons in 1939 - just in the nick of time! Only 9 squadrons
had received their gleaming new Spitifres at the outbreak of war, 19
squadrons being operational at the outset of the Battle of
Britain.
Distinctive with its thin, aero-dynamically advanced elliptical wings
and the unmistakable roar of its 12-cylinder Rolls Royce Merlin engine,
this graceful, agile, fighter was from the start, close to the perfect
fighting machine. So fine was the Spitfire's design no fewer than 40
variants were developed, more than any other British fighter in
history. Unlike its Me109 rival, which sprouted bulges, bumps and
cowls in its quest for performance, the Spitfire grew ever more sleek and
beautiful with each step in her illustrious career. In her final
cloak she was a masterpiece. |
| Greycap Leader by Robert Taylor
Signed by Danny Browne, Stocky Edwards, Hartland Finlay, Hugh Godefroy, Johnnie Johnson, Don
Laubman, Andy MacKenzie, Robert Middlemiss,
Larry Robillard, Roderick Smith.
A new limited edition
specially commissioned to commemorate the Canadian Fighter Pilots reunion,
Ottawa, 1998.
"Kenway to Greycap. Bandits flying down Rhine towards you.
Steer One Three Zero". "Greycap to Kenway. Roger. How many?"
"A small gaggle - about a dozen. Out".
Leading 433 (Canadian) Squadron, Johnnie Johnson swings his twelve
Spitfires to the south-east, following the course of the river at 12,000
feet. All eyes are peeled.
Operating from an ex-Luftwaffe base at Culot in Belgium, Johnnie
Johnson's Canadian Wing were in combat most days the weather permitted.
The Luftwaffe had staged a remarkable recovery after their defeat at
Normandy and by September 1944 were operating in strength from airfields
east of the Rhine. Big formations of Fw190 and Me109 fighters were pitting
themselves against the RAF's ground-attack Typhoons, and it was the
Canadians' task to get to the Luftwaffe fighters first.
"Greycap from red three. Nine bandits below".
With all the essentials of tactical success - speed, height and
surprise, the Canadians plummet into the enemy fighters. Within seconds
the air becomes a tangle of twisting, turning fighters.
Robert Taylor takes up the story moments after the attack. Greycap
Leader - Johnnie Johnson - has already bagged an Fw190, and is hauling his
Mk IX Spitfire around looking for a second whilst to starboard his wingman
draws a bead on another Fw190. In the distance more enemy fighters appear;
they too will shortly receive the attention of the Canadians.
An aerial dog-fight scene portrayed as only Robert Taylor can, now
issued as a limited edition signed by no fewer than TEN Spitfire pilots
who flew in combat in Johnnie Johnson's legendary Canadian Wing.
Head on Attack by Robert Taylor No. 603 Squadron Spitfire attacks a large group of ME109s in a head-on
attack during the battle of Britain, 1940. Signatories: David Scott-Maiden.
First Combat by Robert Taylor Don Kingaby is the only pilot in the RAF to have been awarded 3
DFMs.
During his first combat on August 12, 1940, he severely damaged an JU88
over the Isle of Wight and Robert Taylor captures the moment of break,
with the JU88 already smoking. Don Kingaby flew a further 450 operational
sorties on Spitfires Signatories: Don Kingaby.
Uneven Odds by Robert Taylor In August 1940, Frank Carey let No 43 Squadron's 'A' Flight into
'Schwarms
of JU87s', escorted by Me109s. Though hopelessly outnumbered, Carey
accounted for 4 JU87s before running out of ammunition. Robert Taylor's
painting captures the trauma of the battle Signatories: Frank Carey.
Ramrod by Robert Taylor Flying his Spitfire,
Allied's top fighter Ace brings down an Fw190 over Laon, 1944. Signatories: Johnnie Johnson.
Angels Three Zero by Robert Taylor Bobby Oxspring in his 66 Squadron Spitfire destroys an ME109 of
JF/53
Ace of Spades Group, in a high level attack at 30,000 feet above Dover,
18th September 1940 Signatories: Bobby Oxspring.
Canadian Wing by Robert Taylor
Spitfires of Johnson's Canadian
Wing, complete with Normandy Invasion markings, making a sweep above the
Normandy beaches on the 6th June, 1944 - D-Day. Johnson and his Canadian
pilots flew sweeps on this day from dawn till dusk, limited most of the
day to 2000 ft. by the cloudbase
Dawn Scramble by Robert Taylor Signed by Spitfire pilot Bob Stanford-Tuck. |
| Bader's Bus Company by Robert Taylor
Spitfire's of Douglas Bader's Tengmere Wing set out on their search for
their missing Wing Leader after a mission over France, 1941.
Signatories: Denis Crowley-Milling, 'Cocky' Dundas and Johnny Johnson.
Signed limited edition of 1,250 prints. Print serial number DHM2076.
Overall paper size 33" x 25". Print price £135. SOLD OUT
Artist proof
£250 sold out
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sold out edition ©
Copyright
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| Eagles Prey by Robert Taylor
Tribute to the American "Eagle" Squadron volunteer pilots.
Signatories: Don Blakeslee, Oscar Coen, Jim Goodson, Carroll McColpin
and Reade Tilley.
Signed limited edition of 1,250 prints plus 125 artists proofs.
Print serial number DHM2077. Overall paper size 33" x 25". Print run
sold out,
Secondary market print available one copy price £460.
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| Combat Over London by Robert Taylor
Signed by six fighter pilots: Denys Gillam, Herbert Ihlefeld, James
Leatheart, Gunther Rall, Johannes Steinhoff, HM Stephen
Print serial number DHM2133. Paper size 33" x 26". Print
price £175 SOLD OUT.
Artist proof £275 SOLD OUT.
Publishers proof
available £375. SOLD OUT.
Secondary market prints sometimes available please e-mail for details. |
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Print serial number DHM2138. Signed limited edition of 1000 prints.
Paper size 23" x 30". Print price SOLD OUT.
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| Victory Salute by Robert Taylor
A magnificent painting by Robert Taylor, specially commissioned by The
Military Gallery to commemorate the Anniversary of the Allied victory in
World War II. Britain's leading aviation artist brings to life the two
greatest British fighter aircraft ever to fly, in a gigantic vista over
London and the River Thames. A truly symbolic painting, rich in colour and
brimming with emotion, a picture to commemorate the greatest military
victory in history
Signatories: Alan Deere and Bob Stanford-Tuck
Signed limited edition of 1,500 prints. Print serial number DHM2089.
Overall paper size 24" x 20". Print price £100.
sold out
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©
Copyright
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| Fight for the Sky by Robert Taylor
Signatories: Paddy Barthropp, Ben Bennions, John Bisdee, Bob Doe,
George Unwin, Allan Wright.
Print serial number DHM2147. Signed limited edition of 500 prints.
Paper size 25" x 33".
Print price £195. SOLD OUT.
Artists proof price
£320. SOLD OUT.
Millennium proof publishers edition of 250. Price £425. extra
signatures from: Cyril Bamberger, Robert Beardsley, Buck Casson. SOLD OUT. |
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Victory Over Dunkirk by Robert Taylor
Fearless and effective in battle, no matter what the odds,
Stanford-Tuck achieved a magnificent 29 aerial victories by 1942 when he
was shot down by groundfire over Northern France. Here Bob Stanford-Tuck
brings down an enemy aircraft over the port of Dunkirk early in 1940
Signed by Bob Stanford-Tuck.
Print serial number DHM2177. Signed limited edition of 1,500. Paper
size 24" x 20". Print price £100. sold out
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