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Midwinter Dawn

Mk.IX Spitfires from 421 ‘Red Indian’ Squadron RCAF
Midwinter Dawn, Supermarine Spitfre aviation art print by Robert TaylorMidwinter Dawn © Robert Taylor
Price incl. VAT: 260 €
Edition
Midwinter Dawn, Supermarine Spitfire Luftfahrt-Kunstdruck von Robert TaylorMidwinter Dawn © Robert Taylor
Description
The aviation art print 'Midwinter Dawn' by Robert Taylor captures the moment when, as Wing Leader of 127 Canadian Wing, Johnnie is seen leading Mk.IX Spitfires from 421 ‘Red Indian’ Squadron RCAF out on patrol from their airfield at Evère near Brussels on a cold December morning in 1944. It is close to the fighting and the German front line so, as the Canadians climb steadily out over the snow clad landscape in the golden light of dawn, they are already alert and on the lookout for the first signs of trouble.

Robert Taylor’s Masterwork has been specially commissioned in tribute to Johnnie Johnson and to commemorate the heroic role played by the pilots who flew the Spitfire on D-Day and the great Allied push from Normandy. Prints in this magnificent new release have been personally signed by a number of the decreasing band of Spitfire pilots who flew and fought over Normandy, including the top Ace ‘Johnnie’ Johnson himself, who endorsed the content and publishing of this edition before he sadly passed away in 2001. The signature of such a great legend adds enormous distinction, value and historical importance to this new collectors’ piece.


Editions and Signatures

Limited Edition
250 numbered prints, signed by artist Robert Taylor and by FIVE prominent Pilots that flew the Spitfire during D-Day and Normandy, including the RAF’s top fighter Ace ‘JOHNNIE’ JOHNSON:

 

  • Flight Lieutenant STANISLAW NAWARSKI DFC KM. Flew offensive sweeps on D-Day / 4 confirmed victories.
  • Flight Sergeant RON FARNBOROUGH. Flew fighter patrols on D-Day and throughout the Allied invasion.
  • Flight Lieutenant RODNEY SCRASE DFC RAFVR. Flew anti V1 patrols and low level strafing attacks over Normandy / 4 victories and 3 damaged.
  • Flight Lieutenant JIMMY TAYLOR. Undertook photo-reconnaissance missions before during and after D-Day, was shot down over Germany.
  • Air Vice-Marshal J.E. ‘JOHNNIE’ JOHNSON CB CBE DSO** DFC* DL. Legendary Wing Leader and the RAF’s top fighter Ace with 38 confirmed air victories

 

Canadian Edition
200 numbered prints, in addition to the signatures on the Limited Edition, each print in this EIGHT signature edition is also signed by three top Canadian Spitfire Aces who flew with Johnnie Johnson in the Canadian Wing over Normandy:
  • Wing Commander J.F. ‘STOCKY’ EDWARDS DFC* DFM / 16½ victories.
  • Wing Commander JAMES D. LINDSAY DFC / 9 victories.
  • Lieutenant General DON LAUBMAN DFC* / 15 victories.

Canadian Edition Artist's Proofs
25 numbered prints, signed as above.

Canadian Edition Remarques*
15 numbered prints, signed as above.

Canadian Edition Double-Remarques*
10 numbered prints, signed as above. (Price and availability on Request)

Tribute Edition
10 numbered prints (Price and availability on Request), with all the signatures of the Canadian Edition, each print in this stunning FIFTEEN SIGNATURE Tribute Edition is issued with a highly collectible original pencil drawing by Robert Taylor. For the first time in an edition Robert will individual create each drawing on buff paper in a combination of graphite with coloured highlights in paint, creating a stunning 'sepia' effect piece. Each drawing is personally signed by a highly regarded D-Day Spitfire Pilot, and conservation matted to include the original signatures of six highly decorated Aces that flew Spitfires with Johnnie Johnson’s Canadian Wing in Normandy:

  • Flight Lieutenant RAY STEBBINGS (signed original drawing). Flew numerous bombing bombing misisons on D-Day sorties before becoming a POW.
  • Wing Commander WALTER CONRAD DFC. Commanded 421 Sqn during D-Day / 8 victories.
  • Squadron Leader HARRY DOWDING DFC. Flew six missions over the Normandy beachhead on D-Day / 8 victories.
  • Squadron Leader ROBERT K. HAYWOOD DSO DFC. Flew four sorties on D-Day and a total of 195 combat operations / 6 victories.
  • Flight Lieutenant LARRY ROBILLARD DFM CD. Survived a duel with Adolf Galland and flew with 144 Wing on D-Day / 7 victories.
  • Wing Commander B.D.’DAL’ RUSSEL DSO DFC*. Commanded 126 Wing over Normandy / 7 victories.
  • Wing Commander RODERICK SMITH DFC. One of the most skilful Spitfire Pilots of WWII he flew with 412 Sqn on D-Day / 14 victories.

* Each print has a small unique original pencil drawing (Remarque) inscribed on it by the Artist Robert Taylor

Published March 2014
Overall Height ca.
64
cm
Image Height ca.
44,5
cm
Overall Width ca.
84
cm
Image Width ca.
68
cm