Aircraft - Typhoon

“Conceived initially by Hawkers (of Hurricane fame), as a fast powerful fighter, the Typhoon’s performance in this role proved to be disappointing in the respect of rate of climb, and at height. They did however, eventually come into their own as a superlative very fast ground attack aircraft, and combined with the skill of their pilots became one of the most potent weapons of World War II.

My painting tries to convey something of the drama of a pair of Typhoons at take off, each loaded with two 1000lb bombs. Normandy dust contributes to the back drop.” Gerald Coulson

After the success of the Hurricane it was with eager anticipation that the RAF looked forward to receiving Hawker’s new replacement for the ageing Battle of Britain fighter. But when the Typhoon arrived it was a disappointment. Originally planned as a high altitude interceptor, its rough, tough design made it too slow and not sufficiently manoeuvrable in high-level dogfights, forcing the RAF to look for another role for their new aircraft.

It was not long before this sturdy aircraft, with its distinctive frontal radiator scoop, had become the benchmark of all ground attack aircraft to serve in World War II. At the time of D-Day and during the Allied advance through Europe, the Typhoon became the backbone of the 2nd Tactical Air Force’s ground attack Wings. Deadly at low-level, and fast - it
it could top 400mph at low altitude - the Typhoon could outrun the Mel09 and Fw190, and was robust enough to take the considerable flak damage that ground attack inevitably attracts, and to get its pilot home. Heavily armed with cannon, rockets and bombs, the Typhoon’s sharp-shooting pilots became the scourge of the German ground forces, exampled by the action at Mortain on 7 August 1944 when Typhoons wiped out the 1st SS Panzer Division.

The Typhoon’s brute force profile, lethal armament, and wide undercarriage, was well suited for the temporary grass strips used by the advancing Allied air forces following the Normandy invasion.

Image size: 23" x 18" (plus border)

Edition: 650 copies signed by Gerald Coulson and two distinguished RAF VETERANS

Squadron Leader L W F Stark, DFC, AFC, CdeG(Belg)
Wing Commander Roland Beaumont, CBE, DSO, DFC, DL, FRAeS

Signed and Numbered £105.75inc vat (£90 +vat)

Orders from outside the European Union are free from vat.

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