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Short Stirling bomber of the Royal Air
Force shown in aviation art prints by leading aviation artists, Ivan
Berryman, Keith Woodcock and Geoff Lea. Short Stirling bomber art prints
available from Cranston Fine Arts.
The
Royal Air Force's first four engined monoplane Bomber, the Short Stirling
first flew in May 1939 and entered front line service in August 1940 with
no. 7 squadron. Due to its poor operational ceiling the aircraft sustained
heavy losses and by mid 1942 the Stirling was beginning to be replaced by
the Lancaster. Improved versions of the Short Stirling were built
for Glider towing, paratroopers and heavy transport. also from 1943 many
of the Stirling's were used for mine laying. A total of 2381 Stirling's
were built for the Royal air Force and from this total 641 Stirling
bombers were lost to enemy action.
Crew
7 or 8:
Speed: 260 mph (MK1) 275mph (MKIII) and 280mph (MKV)Service ceiling
17,000
feet
Range:
2330 miles. (MK1) 2010 miles (MKIII) and 3,000 miles (MKV)
Armament: two .303 Vickers machine guns.
in nose turret, two .303 in browning machine guns in dorsal
turret , Four .303 Browning machine guns in tail turret. Bomb
Load 14,000 Lbs Engines: four 1150 Hp Bristol Hercules II
(MK1) four 1650 hp Bristol Hercules XVI (MK111 and MKV)
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| Stirlings Ready by Keith Woodcock.
Open edition print. Image size 14.5 inches x 9.5 inches (37cm x 24cm). Price £16.00 ITEM CODE KW0011 |
| Tugs of War (Stirling & Gliders) by Ivan Berryman. Wearing the distinctive black and white identification stripes of the D-Day operations of June 1944. Airspeed Horsa MkII assault gliders, towed by their Short Stirling MkIV tugs of No.620 Squadron, make their way across a moody English Channel en route for Normandy during the tumultuous Operation Overlord. Limited edition of 250 prints, with crew signature. Special Promotion - This item is 30% Off! Image size 17 inches x 10 inches (43cm x 25cm). Price £76.00 ITEM CODE B0011 |
| Close Encounter by Iain Wyllie. On the 10th of June 1941 en route to Emden, Stirling MG-D of No.7 Sqn was intercepted by two Me-109s. The aircraft piloted by Flying Officer G B Blacklock DFM returned safely to base after shooting down one of the fighters. Open edition print. Image size 16.5 inches x 11.5 inches (42cm x 29cm). Price £14.00 ITEM CODE IW0003 |
| Stirling - The Heavy Brigade by Keith Woodcock. The Royal Air Force Short Stirling used by bomber command during World War Two. Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 12 inches x 6 inches (31cm x 15cm). Price £32.00
Signed limited edition with extra aircrew signature. Image size 12 inches x 6 inches (31cm x 15cm). Price £42.00 ITEM CODE DHM2422 |
| Stirling - 1940s by Barry Price.
Open edition print. Image size 16 inches x 12 inches (41cm x 31cm). Price £13.00 ITEM CODE NTR0066 |
| Short Stirling MkI R9257 MG - C. by M A Kinnear.
Open edition print. Image size 16.5 inches x 11.5 inches (42cm x 30cm). Price £14.00 ITEM CODE AP0017 |
| Stirling Service by Philip West. The Short Stirling won the distinction as the RAFs first purpose built four engine monoplane bomber. A strong, highly complex design it gained a reputation as a pilots aircraft to fly being agile for a big bomber and demonstrating great character. Well over 2000 Stirlings provided stout service for the RAF in a variety of extremely important roles throughout WW2. Signed limited edition of 175 prints. Paper size 28 inches x 20 inches (71cm x 51cm). Price £95.00 Signed by Miss. Lettice Curtis and W/O J W Hill.
Limite dedition of 25 artist proofs. Paper size 28 inches x 20 inches (71cm x 51cm). Price £125.00 Signed by Miss. Lettice Curtis and W/O J W Hill. ITEM CODE DHM2242 |
| Stirling Mine Laying by Keith Aspinall. Stirling Q-OJ of No.149 Sqn is shown minelaying in the Batlic. It was on precisely this type of mission - minelaying in the Baltic that aircraft W7639 (shown) was lost on 8th December 1942. Developing technical problems, the aircraft turned for home, but crashed in Suffolk, killing all seven crew on board. The crew were :
P/O J Philp BEM,
Sgt W S Hughes,
Sgt G E Hills,
Sgt C W Higgins,
Sgt F Craven,
Sgt T H Harris, and
Sgt T G Williams. Open edition print. Image size 14.5 inches x 9.5 inches (37cm x 24cm). Price £18.00 ITEM CODE KA0023 |
| Stirlings Outward Bound by Robert Taylor. SOLD OUT (£50, June 2009) Signed limited edition of 1500 prints. Paper size 24 inches x 20 inches (61cm x 51cm). Price £ ITEM CODE DHM2684 |
| McRoberts Reply by Geoff Lea.
Open edition print. Image size 22 inches x 14 inches (56cm x 36cm). Price £36.00 ITEM CODE DHM0921 |
| Tribute to the Crews of the Stirling by Graeme Lothian. Outward bound, Stirling III of 199 Squadron based at Lakenheath, Suffolk, heads out on another night of operations in August 1943. EE953, Sqd letters EX - E of 100 group is piloted by F/L Tom Austin DFC who finished his tour by the end of October 1944, winning the DFC with his bomb aimer F/O Jack Lawrence. Nicknamed the Queen of the Skies, the Stirling was the 1st four engined bomber to enter service with the RAF in 1941. The cockpit stood a massive 22.5 feet from the ground and had an operational ceiling of only 12,000 feet, well within the range of the enemy AA guns. By September 1944 other bombers were taking the brunt of the attack to the Germans and the Stirlings were used mainly for glider towing especially for D-day and Arnhem. Signed limited edition of 1150 prints. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £95.00
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant Tom Austin DFC AE
Limited edition of 150 signed prints, from the limited edition of 1150. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £105.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant Tom Austin DFC AE
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £590.00
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 30 inches x 18 inches (76cm x 46cm). Price £460.00
Original painting by Graeme Lothian. Image size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £2500.00 ITEM CODE DHM1326 |
| Stirlings of No.90 Squadron by Ivan Berryman. The Short Stirlings WP-M and WP-O, aircraft numbers BK718 and EH907, fly together en route to Cologne in the late evening of 3rd July 1943.
Aircraft BK718, with designation WP-M, of No.90 Squadron RAF was lost over Germany in the early hours of 4th July 1943. Six of the seven crew were lost in the crash, the rear gunner surviving to be taken prisoner. Stirling WP-O was also lost on the same mission, with the loss of all seven crew.
The crew of Stirling WP-M, BK718: Sgt Hugh Murray, Flight Engineer - Sgt Robert Freeland, Air Bomber - P/O Geoffrey Smith, Air Gunner - Sgt Oliver Beard, Wireless Operator - P/O Andrew Gilmour, Navigator - F/Lt Robert Platt, Pilot - Sgt I. H. Norris, Air Gunner. Signed limited edition of 35 prints. Image size 12 inches x 9 inches (31cm x 22cm). Price £60.00
Limited edition of 15 artist proofs. Image size 12 inches x 9 inches (31cm x 22cm). Price £80.00
Original pencil drawing by Ivan Berryman. Size 16 inches x 12 inches (41cm x 31cm). Price £ ITEM CODE B0237 |
| The Night Shift by Philip West. The Short Stirling was the RAFs first four-engined bomber to enter service and it served throughout WWII in many roles including bomber, minelayer, troop carrier and glider-tug. The lack of power produced by its engines severely limited the loads carried by Stirlings. On long-range trips such as Italy, even with a greatly reduced bomb load the aircraft could barely clear the Alps. Despite very large losses due to its operational limitations, those that flew this big, agile aircraft, came to respect and look upon it with it
with affection. Signed limited edition of 100 prints. Paper size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £95.00
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Paper size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £125.00 ITEM CODE DHM1670 |
| Preparing To Go - Crew of a Short Stirling by Ivan Berryman. The crew of MkIII Short Stirling WP-M of No.90 Squadron RAF prepare for a flight test on the morning of 3rd July 1943.
Aircraft BK718, with designation WP-M, of No.90 Squadron RAF was lost over Germany in the early hours of 4th July 1943. Six of the seven crew were lost in the crash, the rear gunner surviving to be taken prisoner. Stirling WP-O was also lost on the same mission, with the loss of all seven crew.
The crew of Stirling WP-M, BK718: Sgt Hugh Murray, Flight Engineer - Sgt Robert Freeland, Air Bomber - P/O Geoffrey Smith, Air Gunner - Sgt Oliver Beard, Wireless Operator - P/O Andrew Gilmour, Navigator - F/Lt Robert Platt, Pilot - Sgt I. H. Norris, Air Gunner. Signed limited edition of 35 prints. Image size 12 inches x 9 inches (31cm x 22cm). Price £60.00
Limited edition of 15 artist proofs. Image size 12 inches x 9 inches (31cm x 22cm). Price £80.00
Original pencil drawing by Ivan Berryman. Size 16 inches x 12 inches (41cm x 31cm). Price £ ITEM CODE B0236 |
| Stirlings Outward Bound by Robert Taylor. The Short Stirling was the RAFs first four-engined bomber but was handicapped by a low operational ceiling. Thus, Stirling crews spent much of their time flying through the flak rather than above flak. However, the Stirling possessed a strong, highly complex design that gained it a reputation as a pilots aircraft to fly; it was relatively agile for a big bomber. While flying the Stirling, Mahaddie had been attacked by a Ju88 nightfighter. After evading the attack, he managed to bring the aircraft home and subsequent inspection of the aircraft revealed 174 cannon shell holes. Mahaddie appropriately named that particular aircraft C for Colander. These Stirlings were part of No.7 Sqn RAF Pathfinders, based at RAF Oakington in Cambridgeshire throughout the war. Limited edition of 1500 prints, with no artist signature. Paper size 20 inches x 14 inches (51cm x 36cm). Price £120.00 Signed by Group Captain Hamish Mahaddie DSO DFC (deceased). ITEM CODE DHM2696 |
| Stirlings by Keith Woodcock.
Open edition print. Image size 14.5 inches x 9.5 inches (37cm x 24cm). Price £16.00 ITEM CODE KW0005 |
Tugs of War (Stirling & Gliders) by Ivan Berryman
Wearing the distinctive black and white identification stripes of the
D-Day operations of June 1944. Airspeed Horsa MkII assault gliders,
towed by their Short Stirling MkIV tugs of No.620 Squadron, make their
way across a moody English Channel en route for Normandy during the
tumultuous Operation Overlord.
Tribute to the Crews of the Stirling by Graeme Lothian
Outward bound, Stirling III of 199 Squadron based at Lakenheath,
Suffolk, heads out on another night of operations in August 1943.
EE953, Sqd letters EX - E of 100 group is piloted by F/L Tom Austin DFC
who finished his tour by the end of October 1944, winning the DFC with
his bomb aimer F/O Jack Lawrence. Nicknamed the "Queen of the
Skies", the Stirling was the 1st four engined bomber to enter
service with the RAF in 1941. The cockpit stood a massive 22.5
feet from the ground and had an operational ceiling of only 12,000 feet,
well within the range of the enemy AA guns. By September 1944
other bombers were taking the brunt of the attack to the Germans and the
Stirlings were used mainly for glider towing especially for D-day and
Arnhem.
McRoberts Reply by Geoff Lea
A Short Stirling takes off for a night time bombing raid. Open
edition print of 1,000.
Stirling - The Heavy Brigade by Keith Woodcock
The Royal Air Force Short Stirling used by bomber command during
World War Two.
Stirling Service by Philip West
The Short Stirling won the distinction as the RAFs first purpose
built four engine monoplane bomber. A strong, highly complex
design it gained a reputation as a pilots aircraft to fly being agile
for a big bomber and demonstrating great character. Well over 2000
Stirlings provided stout service for the RAF in a variety of extremely
important roles throughout WW2.
Teamwork by Philip West
As night falls, Short Stirlings of XV Squadron based at
Mildenhall, Cambridgeshire, await their crews for yet another nocturnal mission. One
of the almost forgotten Bomber Command aircraft that made a very
significant contribution to the war effort.
tirlings Ready by Keith Woodcock
Short Stirling bombers readied for duty.
Stirling Mine Laying by Keith Aspinall
A Short Stirling bomber drops its deadly cargo.
Close Encounter by Iain Wyllie
On
the 10th of June 1941 en route to Emden Short Stirling D-MG of 7 squadron
was intercepted by 2 Me-109's. the aircraft piloted by Flying Officer G B
Blacklock DFM returned safely to base after shooting down on of the
fighters.
Aircraft side view by M A Kinnear
Short Stirling MkI R9257 MG - C.
Aircraft History:
R9257
was one of a batch of 150 Mk I Stirlings delivered to the RAF by Short
Brothers between January 1942 and January 1943. Initially with
Telecommunications Flying Unit, R9257 went to No.7 Squadron, where it
eventually became the personal aircraft of Hamish Mahaddie and his crew
from 8th February 1943 until he completed his operational tour with the
PFF (Path Finder Force) at the end of March 1943. The aircraft then went
on to No.1657 Heavy Conversion Unit at Stradishall, before being sent to
No.214 Squadron. On 12th August 1943, whilst leaving RAF Chedburgh for a
raid against Turin, R9257 swung on take off and the undercarriage
collapsed. The aircraft was categorised as damaged beyond repair (DBR).
R9257 replaced Hamish and his crew's earlier Stirling MK I, R9273 also MG-
C which had been attacked six days earlier by a Ju88 nightfighter. After
evading the attack, they managed to bring the aircraft home. Next morning,
Hamish counted 174 cannon shell holes in the aircraft - which he named 'C
for Colander'.Group Captain
Thomas G "Hamish" Mahaddie DSO, DFC, AFC, CzMC:
Born
in Keith, Edinburgh on 19th March 1911, he joined the RAF as part of the
17th Entry at Halton in January 1928 and trained as a metal rigger, after
which he was posted to Cranwell on ground servicing duties. In 1933 he
boarded a troopship bound for the Middle East where he joined No.4 FTS at
Abu Suier for pilot training. Gaining his wings in 1935, his first air
crew posting was to No.55 Squadron at Hinaidi flying Westland Wapitis and
on his return to England in 1937, he joined No.77 Squadron flying Whitleys
from Driffield. During World War II he completed a tour of operations with
No.77 Squadron before moving to Kinloss to instruct with No.14 OTU. On
completing another tour, this time with No.7 Squadron (which he joined on
2nd August 1942) at Oakington on Stirlings, he joined HQ Staff of No.8
(Pathfinder) Group and Group Captain Mahaddie finished the war as Station
Commander at RAF Warboys, home of PFF Navigation Training Unit. In June
1945 he was appointed to command No.111 Wing in Germany followed by a
spell at the Staff College, Haifa in 1947. His postwar duties also
included two tours of duty at the Air Ministry, as OC Flying Wing at
Binbrook, and also as Station Commander at Sylt and Butzweilerhof in
Germany. He finally retired from the RAF in March 1958 and became involved
with the film industry as an aviation consultant working on many films
including the "Battle of Britain" - for which he amassed an
incredible number of Spitfires, Hurricanes, Messerschmitts and Heinkels.
Thomas "Hamish" Mahaddie passed away on 16th January 1997.
7 Squadron Royal Air Force:
7
Squadron Motto: Per Diem Per Noctem (By day and by night)
No.7 Squadron was formed 1st May 1914 at
Farnborough as a Scout squadron, and went to France April 1915, equipped
with the Vickers Gunbus. No.7 squadron saw service through the war with
BE2c, RE5 and RE8 aircraft. The squadron pioneered the use of R/T (instead
of normal W/T), using it operationally for the first time in October 1918.
Disbanded at Farnborough on 31st December 1919 it reformed at Bircham
Newton on 1st June 1923 equipped with Vickers Vimy bombers. These were
replaced by the Vickers Virginia after moving to Worthy Down in April
1927. Between the wars No.7 squadron was equipped with various aircraft
including the Handley Page Heyfords, Vickers Wellesleys and Armstrong
Whitworth Whitleys and became the leading bomber squadron, winning the
Laurence Minot Memorial Bombing Trophy more than any other squadron. At
the outbreak of World War II, the squadron was equipped with Handley Page
Hampdens, until August 1940, when it equipped with the RAF's first four
engined bomber, the Short Stirling Mk I - becoming the first RAF squadron
to be equipped with four engined bombers. The first raid by No.7 was 10th
February 1941 on Rotterdam. The squadron settled down to a night bombing
role, adding mine laying to its duties in 1942. Later with four other
squadrons, it formed the nucleus of the new Pathfinder Force, its task to
find and accurately mark targets with flares. In May 1943, the Stirling
(which was handicapped by a low operational ceiling - it had to fly
through flak rather than over it) was gradually replaced by the Avro
Lancaster, which No.7 used in Peenemunde in August. From June1944 and
until the end of the war, the squadron also undertook a daylight
operational role in support of land forces in France and the low
countries, and against V-1 and V-2 sites. No.7 squadron flew to Singapore
in January 1947, and converted to Avro Lincolns, seeing action against
Communist terrorists in Malay, during 'Operation Firedog'. Returning to
UK, having won the Laurence Minot Memorial Bombing Trophy outright for the
eighth time it was disbanded 1st January 1956. Reforming in November of
the same year with the Vickers Valiant 'V' bomber. Disbanded on 30th
September 1962, it was reformed in May 1970 at RAF St. Mawgan on target
provision duties. Equipped with the English Electric Canberra, the
squadron provided targets for the Army and Navy anti aircraft guns. They
also provided silent targets for radar station practice. On 12th December
1981 the squadron was again disbanded, reforming soon after as the second
operational Boeing Vertol Chinook helicopter Squadron on 2nd September
1982.
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