Aircraft - MKII Spitfires

During the early part of World War II the coastline of Britain was constantly under threat, particularly the busy shipping lanes of the North Sea.

As well as carrying out bombing raids on strategic coastal targets and ports such as Luftflotte 5’s attack on the north-east in August 1940, allied shipping was regularly attacked at sea as the Luftwaffe tried to disrupt supplies.

The RAF played a vital part in protecting these supplies, escorting fishing fleets and shipping convoys, as well as long range patrols over the sea, seeking enemy activity and intercepting high altitude reconnaissance aircraft.

These patrols were often long and arduous with pilots running the gauntlet of, if shot down, ditching into the sea. Often pilots would survive being hit and baling out, only to succumb to the freezing and hostile waters of the North Sea.

Often fighter squadrons being ‘rested’ during the Battle of Britain, would be moved to northern locations such as Acklington and Leconfield, and carry out coastal and sea patrols before returning to the more intense fighting in the south.

This superb and evocative painting by one of the world’s most collected artists, Gerald Coulson, captures the mood of one such patrol.

Flying over the Humber Estuary as the sun is setting, pilots of 610 Sqn return their MKII Spitfires to Leconfield after a convoy patrol late in 1940.

Overall Print Size: 36¾" x 24¼"

Each print is personally signed by outstanding fighter pilots, all of whom took part in North Sea patrols during their careers.

The Signatures

Group captain Desmond Sheen DFC
Having done his training in Australia he joined 72 Sqn in Scotland where in one of the early engagements of the war he destroyed a HE115 and later a HE111 over the North Sea.

Wing Commander ‘Paddy’ Barthropp DFC AFC
After success during the Battle of Britain he joined 610 Sqn in December 1940 carrying out North Sea patrols from their base at Leconfield.

Squadron Leader Neville Duke DSO OBE DFC
As commanding officer of 43 sqn he led patrols from Acklington and Drem, gaining many victories over the North Sea.

Group Captain Tom Dalton-Morgan DSO OBE DFC
As commanding officer of 43 sqn he led patrols from Acklington and Drem, gaining many victories over the North Sea. On one occasion he ditched his Hurricane into the sea after shooting down a JU88.

Squadron Leader B G ‘Stapme’ Stapleton DFC
With 603 Sqn operating from Scotland in 1940 he had success intercepting raiders over the North Sea around Rosyth naval base and the Firth of Forth.

Air Commodore Peter Brothers DSO CBE DFC
He had much success with 32 Sqn flying defensive patrols from Acklington, over the North Sea in 1940. He later commanded 602 Sqn flying from the East Coast of Scotland.

Squadron Leader A.C. Leigh DFC DFM
Flying Spitfires from Digby he undertook long range patrols along the East Coast and North Sea in 1940.

Wing Commander H.M. Stephen DSO DFC
Whilst with 605 Sqn at Wick in early 1940 he saw action against raiders around Scapa Flow and the North Sea. Many of his victories came off the East Coast, flying from Leconfield and Hornchurch.

*Squadron Leader John Bentley-Beard DFM AFC
Called up from the RAFVR he was active over the North Sea with 249 Sqn in 1940 flying from Church Fenton and Leconfield.

*Wing Commander Tom Neil DFC AFC
Joined 249 Sqn in May 1940 flying Hurricanes from Leconfield. He had many claims over the North Sea whilst flying patrols during September – November.

*Air Vice Marshal JE. ‘Johnnie’ Johnson CBE CB DSO DFC
Whilst flying with 616 Sqn from September 1940 he was involved in North Sea patrols from their base in Lincolnshire. He finished the war as the RAF’s highest scoring fighter pilot.

* Remarques only.

Edition size:

800 signed and numbered prints (8 signatures) - £180inc vat (£153.19 +vat)

25 Remarques (12 signatures) - sold out

If you have arrived at this page through a ‘backdoor’ you will have nowhere to go.

Please click here to go to our HOME page

www.oliversart.com