Night of Heroes –
The Dambusters
Philip West
Lancaster's
from 617 Squadron deliver a surprise attack on the Ruhr dams
with specially designed, unique bouncing bombs invented by Barns Wallis
Multi
Pilot Signed Print
Night
of Heroes – The Dambusters by
Philip West
17th
May 1943. Lancaster's from 617 Squadron deliver a surprise
attack on the Ruhr dams with specially designed, unique bouncing
bombs invented by Barns Wallis. Wing Commander Guy Gibson
is shown drawing defensive fire away from Flt Lt Maltby's
aircraft as it passes over the Mohne, just as his mine explodes
and breaches the dam.
The Signatories
The Primary Edition is signed and numbered by
the artist.
The
Artist Proofs are also signed by former Dambusters:
Flying Officer Raymond E. Grayston
(Flight Engineer of AJ-N, Les Knights Lancaster)
Raymond
Grayston joined the RAF in June 1939, as an
engine fitter. In 1942 he volunteered for aircrew,
as a flight engineer. He was subsequently posted
to 50 Sqn at Skellingthorpe in Lincolnshire.
The crew had completed 30 ops. by January 1943.
Les Knight was then requested to continue flying
with his crew on Special Operations. This involved
moving to Scampton, to form 617 Sqn. On the
night of 16-17 May, Les Knight and his crew
took part in the raid on the dams and were responsible
for breaching the Eder Dam.
The crew continued on operations until September
1943, when trying to carry out a raid on the
Dortmund Ems canal in fog, the plane was damaged
and crashed. After ensuring his crew successfully
baled out, Les Knight remained on the aircraft
and was never seen again. Ray spent the remainder
of the war as a prisoner in Stalag Luft 3. |
and
Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM
(Bomb Aimer on AJ-T, American Joe McCarthy’s
Lancaster)
George
Johnson went initially to the USA for pilot
training. Frustrated at not qualifying and a
burning desire to get airborne Johnny applied
for the shortest possible training course; air
gunner. having completed this course successfully
Johnny was posted to 97 Squadron as ‘spare’
gunner – mid or upper, whichever was needed.
At this time Bomb Aimers were being sought for
the Lancasters and as this position warranted
extra pay, Johnny applied and passed the training
course. He was then chosen by Joe McCarthy to
join his crew before they were all transferred
to 617 Squadron. Flying in AJ-T, with American
pilot Joe McCarthy and crew they attacked the
Sorpe Dam from 30 feet, for which Johnny was
awarded the DFM. Johnny went on to fly 40 missions
with Joe McCarthy at the controls. |
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Print size: 28 x 20ins approx
Signed
and Numbered
|
Edition
size: 125 |
Price: £95.00 |
Artist
Proof |
Edition
size: 50 |
Price: £125.00 |
PRINT
TERMINOLOGY
- see below |
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