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Flight Lieutenant J Castagnola DSO DFC (deceased) - Art prints and originals signed by Flight Lieutenant J Castagnola DSO DFC (deceased)

J Castagnola

J Castagnola
The signature of Flight Lieutenant J Castagnola DSO DFC (deceased)

Flight Lieutenant J Castagnola DSO DFC (deceased)

Joining the RAF in 1941 he graduated as a pilot after completing his training in America. Returning to England he joined 51 Squadron in early 1943 flying from RAF Snaith. Born in 1922 in Islington, Cass as he was known to all, enlisted in 1941 and trained in North America. Returning to England he crewed up at OTU and after completing their HCU course the crew, captained by a newly commissioned Cass, joined 57 Squadron in December 1943 for their first tour of operations. They were to be blooded with a series of attacks against Berlin, completing three operations against this target in four nights during January 1944. In all Cass was to visit the Big City eight times during his tour. During the Nuremberg operation of 30/31 March 1944 his Lancaster's rear turret guns froze up but a burst from the mid-upper caused an approaching Me 210 to break away. On return his gunners also claimed one Ju 88 destroyed and another damaged. On 5 April 1944 the crew were one of six attached along with their aircraft to the Squadron at Woodhall Spa, to provide an H2S capability. After an initial trip as passenger with Fg Off Fearn for the attack against the Luftwaffe Depot at St Cyr on 10 April to observe the Squadron's methods, Cass found himself non-operational for a month as the Squadron trained intensively for Operation Taxable. Teamed up with Nick Knilans he completed the D-Day deception operation and three nights later he was operating against the Saumur railway tunnel. Unable to carry Tallboy, his H2S equipped aircraft was loaded with thousand pounders to be aimed at the adjacent railway bridge across the Loire. His next three trips were as an additional member of Knilans'crew. By July Cass had been posted back to 57 Sqn at East Kirkby and would complete his first tour with them.He was not away from Woodhall for long, arriving back on the Squadron on 15 August to start his second tour. This was to be much more satisfying. With his trademark 'operationally battered' cap, Cass and his crew soon proved themselves a popular and valuable asset to the Squadron. Starting with a trip to Brest on 27 August and now carrying Tallboy they were part of the high level force for the attack on the Kembs Dam, and took part in all three operations against Tirpitz, claiming a direct hit in the middle of the superstructure during the final attack. During the attack on Bergen on 12 January 1945 his aircraft came under fighter attack and Cass dived to within the range of the flak batteries; the fighter deigned to follow. Heading out to sea he spotted Ian Ross' aircraft at low level, on fire and under fighter attack. With his bomb aimer manning the front turret and without thinking of his own safety Cass dived to offer whatever assistance he could. He was successful in driving the fighter away, but Ross was forced to ditch, while Cass circled overhead dropping an emergency radio wrapped in Mae Wests when it was seen that Ross' dinghy had not deployed. Climbing to 500 feet they signalled the ditched Lancaster's position and remained in the area, seeking cloud cover when a German fighter came too close. With fuel running low he was eventually forced to leave the stricken crew to their fate. The remaining months saw a new routine develop, railway viaducts replacing U-boat pens as targets during February and March, before returning to April's target list, along with other naval targets during the last month of hostilities. After a total of 62 operations Cass' war came to an end on 19 April 1945 with an attack on the island fortress of Heligoland. The latter part of 1945 saw him as the Squadron's Inspector Pilot as they worked up for 'Tiger Force' – the RAF's projected contribution to the Pacific War but, with the squadron prepared to go overseas to India, in January 1946 he was posted to RAF Snaith, to conduct aircrew training. Having been awarded the DFC for his time on 57 Sqn, Cass was to receive a bar in March 1945 for his service with 617 and a further award of the DSO in October 1945.Awarded a permanent commission in 1947, he was posted to the Central Flying Establishment, RAF West Raynham, flying Mosquitos, Vampires and Meteors, before transferring to the Empire Test Pilots School, RAE Farnborough, in March 1950. After qualifying as a test pilot his experience was put to good use for four years at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down. Cass transferred to fighters in April 1954 and served in the Middle East and Germany before becoming Officer Commanding No. 41 Sqn, Biggin Hill, flying the Hunter F 5. In keeping with a number of pilots following their fighter tour, at the beginning of 1958 he was sent on a radar control course prior to being posted to Neatishead radar station, Norfolk, as Control Executive. After a final tour as a Staff Officer with HQ No. 13 Group, at Ouston, he left the RAF in November 1961 as a Squadron Leader, joining British Airways as a captain on Comets and Tridents until his retirement in 1980. We have learned that James Castagnola has died, but have no information as to when.

Items Signed by Flight Lieutenant J Castagnola DSO DFC (deceased)

Winter in Northern Europe brings short days, long nights and, for the most part, appalling weather making navigation difficult and flying hazardous, even by todays electronically sophisticated standards.  Throughout RAF Bomber Commands arduous six ye......
Strike and Return by Robert Taylor (D)
SOLD OUT
Winter in Northern Europe brings short days, long nights and, for the most part, appalling weather making navigation difficult and flying hazardous, even by todays electronically sophisticated standards. Throughout RAF Bomber Commands arduous six ye......NOT
AVAILABLE
At sunrise on 12 November, 1944, led by Wing Commander James Tait, Lancasters of 617 Squadron RAF prepare to make their bombing run on the German battleship Tirpitz, lying in the Norwegian fjord at Tromso.......
Target Bearing 270 by Robert Taylor (B)
SOLD OUT
At sunrise on 12 November, 1944, led by Wing Commander James Tait, Lancasters of 617 Squadron RAF prepare to make their bombing run on the German battleship Tirpitz, lying in the Norwegian fjord at Tromso.......NOT
AVAILABLE
 With the familiar Lincolnshire countryside beckoning, a Lancaster of the famous 617 Dambusters Squadron, makes its final approach after a raid on Germany, late summer 1944. Gerald Coulsons painting Summer Harvest winds the clock back sixty years, re......
Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson.
Price : £140.00
With the familiar Lincolnshire countryside beckoning, a Lancaster of the famous 617 Dambusters Squadron, makes its final approach after a raid on Germany, late summer 1944. Gerald Coulsons painting Summer Harvest winds the clock back sixty years, re......

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 With the familiar Lincolnshire countryside beckoning, a Lancaster of the famous 617 Dambusters Squadron, makes its final approach after a raid on Germany, late summer 1944. Gerald Coulsons painting Summer Harvest winds the clock back sixty years, re......
Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson. (AP)
SOLD OUT
With the familiar Lincolnshire countryside beckoning, a Lancaster of the famous 617 Dambusters Squadron, makes its final approach after a raid on Germany, late summer 1944. Gerald Coulsons painting Summer Harvest winds the clock back sixty years, re......NOT
AVAILABLE
 With the familiar Lincolnshire countryside beckoning, a Lancaster of the famous 617 Dambusters Squadron, makes its final approach after a raid on Germany, late summer 1944. Gerald Coulsons painting Summer Harvest winds the clock back sixty years, re......
Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson. (B)
Price : £230.00
With the familiar Lincolnshire countryside beckoning, a Lancaster of the famous 617 Dambusters Squadron, makes its final approach after a raid on Germany, late summer 1944. Gerald Coulsons painting Summer Harvest winds the clock back sixty years, re......

Quantity:
 With the familiar Lincolnshire countryside beckoning, a Lancaster of the famous 617 Dambusters Squadron, makes its final approach after a raid on Germany, late summer 1944. Gerald Coulsons painting Summer Harvest winds the clock back sixty years, re......
Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson. (XX)
Price : £140.00
With the familiar Lincolnshire countryside beckoning, a Lancaster of the famous 617 Dambusters Squadron, makes its final approach after a raid on Germany, late summer 1944. Gerald Coulsons painting Summer Harvest winds the clock back sixty years, re......

Quantity:
 With the familiar Lincolnshire countryside beckoning, a Lancaster of the famous 617 Dambusters Squadron, makes its final approach after a raid on Germany, late summer 1944. Gerald Coulsons painting Summer Harvest winds the clock back sixty years, re......
Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson. (Y)
Price : £150.00
With the familiar Lincolnshire countryside beckoning, a Lancaster of the famous 617 Dambusters Squadron, makes its final approach after a raid on Germany, late summer 1944. Gerald Coulsons painting Summer Harvest winds the clock back sixty years, re......

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The Avro Lancaster was possibly the most versatile and successful bomber aircraft ever and certainly became the backbone of RAF Bomber Command during WWII. Being able to deliver a greater payload than any other aircraft of The War, the Lancaster was ......
A Lincolnshire Sunset 1944 by Gerald Coulson.
Price : £180.00
The Avro Lancaster was possibly the most versatile and successful bomber aircraft ever and certainly became the backbone of RAF Bomber Command during WWII. Being able to deliver a greater payload than any other aircraft of The War, the Lancaster was ......

Quantity:
The Avro Lancaster was possibly the most versatile and successful bomber aircraft ever and certainly became the backbone of RAF Bomber Command during WWII. Being able to deliver a greater payload than any other aircraft of The War, the Lancaster was ......
A Lincolnshire Sunset 1944 by Gerald Coulson (AP)
SOLD OUT
The Avro Lancaster was possibly the most versatile and successful bomber aircraft ever and certainly became the backbone of RAF Bomber Command during WWII. Being able to deliver a greater payload than any other aircraft of The War, the Lancaster was ......NOT
AVAILABLE
 The Avro Lancaster was possibly the most versatile and successful bomber aircraft ever and certainly became the backbone of RAF Bomber Command during WWII. Being able to deliver a greater payload than any other aircraft of The War, the Lancaster was......
A Lincolnshire Sunset 1944 by Gerald Coulson. (XX)
Price : £150.00
The Avro Lancaster was possibly the most versatile and successful bomber aircraft ever and certainly became the backbone of RAF Bomber Command during WWII. Being able to deliver a greater payload than any other aircraft of The War, the Lancaster was......

Quantity:
The Avro Lancaster was possibly the most versatile and successful bomber aircraft ever and certainly became the backbone of RAF Bomber Command during WWII. Being able to deliver a greater payload than any other aircraft of The War, the Lancaster was ......
A Lincolnshire Sunset 1944 by Gerald Coulson. (Y)
SOLD OUT
The Avro Lancaster was possibly the most versatile and successful bomber aircraft ever and certainly became the backbone of RAF Bomber Command during WWII. Being able to deliver a greater payload than any other aircraft of The War, the Lancaster was ......NOT
AVAILABLE
A first-hand account of the sinking of the Tirpitz by Bob Knights.  -  The early morning of 12th November 1944 was clear and very cold, and the wings of the Lancasters of 617 Squadron, parked on the airfield at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, were coate......
The Sinking of the Tirpitz by Frank Wootton (B)
SOLD OUT
A first-hand account of the sinking of the Tirpitz by Bob Knights. - The early morning of 12th November 1944 was clear and very cold, and the wings of the Lancasters of 617 Squadron, parked on the airfield at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, were coate......NOT
AVAILABLE

Packs with at least one item featuring the signature of Flight Lieutenant J Castagnola DSO DFC (deceased)


Four Avro Lancaster prints by Gerlad Coulson.
Pack Price : £395.00
Saving : £227
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Off Duty Lancaster at Rest by Gerald Coulson.
Outbound Lancaster by Gerald Coulson.
Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson. (B)
Winter Ops by Gerald Coulson.

Quantity:



8 WW2 RAF Aviation Prints by Gerald Coulson.
Pack Price : £640.00
Saving : £662
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Battle of Britain, Manston, 12th August 1940 by Gerald Coulson.
Scramble by Gerald Coulson.
High Spirits 1940 by Gerald Coulson.
Quartet by Gerald Coulson.
Off Duty Lancaster at Rest by Gerald Coulson.
Outbound Lancaster by Gerald Coulson.
Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson. (B)
Winter Ops by Gerald Coulson.

Quantity:

Dambusters Print Pack.
Pack Price : £400.00
Saving : £365
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson. (B)
Operation Chastise - The Night They Broke the Dams by Ivan Berryman.
Third Time Lucky by Ivan Berryman. (B)
The Dambusters by Simon Smith.

Quantity:

Gerald Coulson Lancaster Print Pack.
Pack Price : £380.00
Saving : £195
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson.
Winter Ops by Gerald Coulson.
Outbound Lancaster by Gerald Coulson.
Lancaster Lift-Off by Gerald Coulson.

Quantity:




Bomber Command Lancaster Art Prints by Gerald Coulson and Ivan Berryman Massive Discount Pack.
Pack Price : £580.00
Saving : £680
Aviation Print Pack - available for purchase by our customers and the art trade. ......

Titles in this pack :

Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson.
Winter Ops by Gerald Coulson.
Outbound Lancaster by Gerald Coulson. (C)
Lancaster Lift-Off by Gerald Coulson. (C)
Gunner's Moon by Ivan Berryman.
Operation Manna by Ivan Berryman.
Avro Lancaster B.1 by Ivan Berryman. (D)
Incident over Mannheim by Ivan Berryman.
The Dambusters by Ivan Berryman.
Dambusters - Moment of Truth by Ivan Berryman.

Quantity:

Dambusters Aviation Art Print Pack.
Pack Price : £290.00
Saving : £165
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Final Briefing by Anthony Saunders.
'O' Safe Home by Ivan Berryman.
No Way Back by Ivan Berryman.
A Lincolnshire Sunset 1944 by Gerald Coulson.

Quantity:

Aircrew Signature Avro Lancaster Prints.
Pack Price : £290.00
Saving : £220
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

One Hundred Up! by Simon Atack.
Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson.
Operation Manna by Ivan Berryman.

Quantity:


Dambusters Discount 5 Print Pack.
Pack Price : £200.00
Saving : £270
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

A Lincolnshire Sunset 1944 by Gerald Coulson.
The One That Broke The Dam by Ivan Berryman.
'O' Safe Home by Ivan Berryman.
No Way Back by Ivan Berryman.
Raining Fire by Ivan Berryman.

Quantity:


Dambusters Discount 5 Print Pack.
Pack Price : £250.00
Saving : £180
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson.
The One That Broke The Dam by Ivan Berryman.
'O' Safe Home by Ivan Berryman.
No Way Back by Ivan Berryman.
Raining Fire by Ivan Berryman.

Quantity:
Pack 562. Pack of two 617 Sqn aviation prints by Nicolas Trudgian and Gerald Coulson.
Pack Price : £290.00
Saving : £140
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Sinking the Tirpitz by Nicolas Trudgian.
Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson.

Quantity:
Pack 843. Pack of two Lancaster bomber prints by Gerald Coulson.
Pack Price : £350.00
Saving : £170
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson. (B)
Winter Ops by Gerald Coulson.

Quantity:
617 Sqn Lancaster Print Pack by Nicolas Trudgian and Gerald Coulson.
Pack Price : £260.00
Saving : £170
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Sinking the Tirpitz by Nicolas Trudgian.
Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson.

Quantity:
Aircrew Signed Avro Lancaster Prints by Robert Taylor and Gerald Coulson.
Pack Price : £320.00
Saving : £325
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Target Peenemunde by Robert Taylor.
Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson. (B)

Quantity:
Crew Signed Lancaster Aircraft Print Pack by Graeme Lothian and Gerald Coulson.
Pack Price : £225.00
Saving : £155
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Distant Dispersal by Graeme Lothian. (C)
Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson.

Quantity:
Crew Signed Lancaster Bomber Aviation Prints by Simon Smith and Gerald Coulson.
Pack Price : £235.00
Saving : £145
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Mission Completed by Simon Smith.
Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson.

Quantity:
Avro Lancaster Aviation Art Prints by Gerald Coulson.
Pack Price : £350.00
Saving : £110
Aviation Print Pack. ......

Titles in this pack :

Winter Ops by Gerald Coulson.
Summer Harvest by Gerald Coulson.

Quantity:
Flight Lieutenant J Castagnola DSO DFC (deceased)



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