Precision Strike
- book & print portfolio -
by Robert Taylor
As a lasting memorial to all those involved in the planning, preparation, and execution of Operation Chastise, the late Robert Taylor has left behind one of his favourite drawings. Its title - 'Precision Strike' - conveys a glimpse into the exacting task faced by the crews of Rightly regarded as the world's premier aviation artist, Robert depicts the scene at the Möhne Dam shortly after midnight when, with three previous strikes having failed to breach the wall, it's the turn of Dinghy Young. At the controls of Lancaster AJ-A 'Apple', Young powers his aircraft over the dam wall with his Upkeep 'bouncing bomb' seconds away from a successful detonation. Now fatally weakened, one final strike by David Maltby will soon see the great dam wall crack apart. |
| Overall size: 24" x 22¼" | Available in the following editions |
| 19 | Veterans edition | With 21 signatures & accompanying book. | $3795 |
| SOLD OUT | |
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Completing each portfolio is a matching-numbered copy of the book CHASTISE: THE DAMBUSTERS STORY 1943 by bestselling author and critically acclaimed historian Max Hastings. This gripping account story covers the invention of Barnes Wallis' bouncing bomb through to the moonlit cockpits on the night of the raid itself and includes an exclusive bookplate signed by one of the young pilots who flew that fateful night: Squadron Leader LES MUNRO CNZM DSO QSO DFC JP - Pilot of Lancaster ED921/G AJ-W 'Willie' |
Restricted to just nineteen copies worldwide to represent the nineteen Lancaster crews who took part in the raids, each print is issued mounted to full conservation standards to include museum-quality reproduction RAF brevet badge. Creating a historic collector's piece, also included in the matting are the original autographs of twenty famous veterans who were all directly involved in the planning, preparation and execution of the raid. |
| The Signatures |
| Marshal of the RAF Sir ARTHUR T HARRIS BT GCB OBE DD - Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Bomber Command |
| Sir BARNES WALLIS CBE FRS RDI FRAeS - Inventor of the 'Upkeep' bouncing bomb |
| ROY CHADWICK CBE FRSA FRAeS - Chief design engineer for Avro, in particular the Lancaster bomber |
| Wing Commander JOSEPH 'BIG JOE' McCARTHY DSO DFC* CD - Pilot of Lancaster ED825/G AJ-T 'Tommy' |
| Flight Lieutenant GEOFFREY RICE DFC - Pilot of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H 'Harry' |
| Air Marshal Sir HAROLD 'MICK' MARTIN KCB DSO DFC AFC - Pilot of Lancaster ED909/G AJ-P 'Popsie' |
| Flight Lieutenant BILL TOWNSEND CGM DFM - Pilot of Lancaster ED886/G AJ-O 'Orange' |
| Squadron Leader DAVE SHANNON DSO* DFC* - Pilot of Lancaster ED929/G AJ-L 'Leather' |
| Sergeant BASIL FENERON DFM - Flight Engineer on Lancaster ED918/G AJ-F 'Freddy' |
| Pilot Officer BERTIE 'TOBY' FOXLEE DFC DFM - Front Gunner on Lancaster ED909/G AJ-P 'Popsie' |
| Squadron Leader JACK LEGGO DFC* - Navigator on Lancaster ED909/G AJ-P 'Popsie' |
| Flight Sergeant GRANT McDONALD - Rear Gunner on Lancaster ED918/G AJ-F 'Freddy' |
| Sergeant RAY GRAYSTON - Flight Engineer on Lancaster ED912/G AJ-N 'Nancy' |
| Flight Sergeant THOMAS 'TAMMY' SIMPSON DFM - Rear Gunner on Lancaster ED909/G AJ-P 'Popsie' |
| Sergeant FRED SUTHERLAND - Front Gunner on Lancaster ED912/G AJ-N 'Nancy' |
| Squadron Leader GEORGE 'JOHNNY' JOHNSON MBE DFM - Bomb Aimer on Lancaster ED825/G AJ-T 'Tommy' |
| Flight Sergeant DON MACLEAN DFM - Navigator on Lancaster ED825/G AJ-T 'Tommy' |
| Corporal MAUREEN STEVENS (nee MILLER) - Radio Operator at RAF Scampton on the night of the raid |
| Corporal KEN LUCAS - Ground Crew with 617 Squadron involved in fitting special modifications |
| Squadron Leader LES MUNRO CNZM DSO QSO DFC JP - Pilot of Lancaster ED921/G AJ-W 'Willie' (siigned bookplate) |
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