London Pride - Basil Stapleton Edition

‘London Pride’ by aviation artist Nicolas Trudgian is a truly ionic image which celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force, 1918 – 2018. Being the longest serving air force on the planet, the RAF has provided outstanding service in the defense of the United Kingdom. Never was this more so than towards the end of the Battle of Britain when London became the focus of aggression from the German Luftwaffe.

Daily, from the streets of the city, onlookers witnessed the deadly conflict. In one of those battles, between a German Me109E and the 603 Squadron Spitfire of Pilot Officer Basil ‘Stapme’ Stapleton, the aircraft were engaged in a particularly frenzied dogfight over Tower Bridge. This specially commissioned painting, 'London Pride', by Nicolas Trudgian, depicts that real event with the artist's characteristic remarkable detail. On one of the many occasions that ’Stapme’ and Nicolas met, they thought up the idea of depicting Basil’s memorable dogfight over the Thames. The sheets of paper that now form the Basil Stapleton Editions were signed by Stapme so that they would one day be published on a special anniversary such as this. What better image to depict the defense of the realm, than combat over the very heart of the nation's capital? Tumbling through the sky, rapidly losing altitude, suddenly, with the river perilously close, the pair separate, the fight unresolved. The fate of the German aircraft is unknown. Stapme, low on fuel and ammunition, stayed at chimney pot height in order to follow roads he recognized all the way back to his airfield at Hornchurch.

 

From April 1941 Stapme served in various units including those operating ‘Hurricats’; Hurricane fighters converted to be launched by catapults from convoy-escort ships. In February 1942, he was made Flight Commander of No. 257 Squadron, before becoming gunnery instructor at Kenley and then the Central Gunnery School. Stapme returned to operations in August 1944 to command No. 247 Squadron’s Typhoons and for his part in the Battle of Arnhem he received the Dutch Flying Cross. Whilst attacking a train in Germany his aircraft sustained damage from flying debris and he had to force land, becoming a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft 1 until the war’s end. Always known to his many friends and admirers as ‘Stapme’, from a phrase in his favourite cartoon ‘Just Jake’, he was a very likeable character and looked every bit the classic image of an RAF fighter pilot; tall, blonde and with his characteristic handlebar moustache.

Limited Edition

• 600 Main Edition, signed by the Artist
  This edition comes with a plain white border around the image and has an overall size of ca. 96 cm x 67 cm.
• 200 Basil Stapleton Edition, signed by the Artist and Squadron Leader Basil ‘Stapme’ Stapleton DFC, DFC (Dutch)
  The Basil Stapleton editions come with a colored border around the image and have an overall size of ca. 72,5 cm x 51 cm.
• 40 Basil Stapleton Remarque Edition. includes a unique original pencil drawing inscribed on it by the Artist and is signed by the Artist and Squadron Leader Basil ‘Stapme’ Stapleton DFC, DFC (Dutch)
  Drawing size approx. 15 cm x 5 cm and can be drawn to your own specifications. When placing your order please specify your drawing requirements or whether you would like Nicolas to design it for you. As this is a bespoke order please allow up to 4 weeks before shipping.
• 30 Giclée Prints on Canvas
  The only opportunity to obtain the full-size canvas reproduction of this painting, individually signed and numbered in paint by the artist.
  Size when stretched approximately 91 cm x 56 cm.