History of 56 Squadron

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History of 56 Squadron Royal Air Force.  56 Squadron. Hawker Hurricane of No.56 Squadron, shown in aviation art prints available from Cranston Fine Arts the aviation art company, part of the Royal Air Force squadron's history in aviation art.

Pilot of 56 Squadron. Wing Commander Gordon Sinclair OBE DFC  A short service commission officer, Sinclair joined 19 Squadron as early as 1937 and was still with the Squadron in 1940. Over Dunkirk he destroyed a Bf 109 and probably another, and then on June 1 he destroyed two Bf 110s and on a later patrol the same day he claimed a He 111 and a Do 17 destroyed. He was awarded the DFC. He knew Bader well during his stay with 19 Squadron when Bader often flew as his No 2. Sinclair remembers his forceful personality, but also that he was great fun. They often played golf and squash together. In June 1940 Sinclair was posted as Flight Commander to 3 10 Squadron at Drixford and was soon to fly with that Squadron as part of the Duxford Wing, led by Douglas Bader. His final score was 10 confirmed victories. He later commanded 56 Squadron on Typhoons before promotion to Wing Commander and a post on the staff of HO 84 Group. Sinclair retired from the RAF in 1957.

Royal Air Force Fighter, the Hawker Hurricane had a top speed of 320mph, at 18,200 feet and 340mph at 17,500, ceiling of 34,200 and a range of 935 miles. The Hurricane was armed with eight fixed wing mounted .303 browning machine guns in the Mark I and twelve .303 browning's in the MKIIB in the Hurricane MKIIC it had four 20mm cannon.

All time classic fighter the Hurricane was designed in 1933-1934, the first prototype flew in June 1936 and a contract for 600 for the Royal Air Force was placed. The first production model flew ion the 12th October 1937 and 111 squadron of the Royal Air Force received the first Hurricanes in January 1938. By the outbreak of World war two the Royal Air Force had 18 operational squadrons of Hurricanes. During the Battle of Britain a total of 1715 Hurricanes took part, (which was more than the rest of the aircraft of the Royal air force put together) and almost 75% of the Victories during the Battle of Britain went to hurricane pilots.  The Hawker Hurricane was used in all theatres during World war two, and in many roles. in total 14,533 Hurricanes were built.  


Glorious Summer by Robert Taylor


Glorious Summer by Robert Taylor

Image shows nearest, young Pilot Officer Geoffrey Page, later to become one of the RAFs most highly decorated fighter aces, powers his Mk I Hurricane over the country lane at the edge of the airfield, as he and his fellow No 56 Squadron pilots make their third scramble of the day.
Item Code : DHM2464Glorious Summer by Robert Taylor - Editions Available
TYPEDESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASING
PRINT Signed limited edition of 500 prints.
Full Item Details		Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm) Brothers, Peter
Currant, Christopher
Sinclair, Gordon
David, Dennis
Drake, Billy
Farnes, Paul
+ Artist : Robert Taylor		£280.00

Quantity:
ARTIST
PROOF		 Limited edition of artist proofs.
Full Item Details		Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm) Brothers, Peter
Currant, Christopher
Sinclair, Gordon
David, Dennis
Drake, Billy
Farnes, Paul
+ Artist : Robert Taylor		SOLD
OUT		NOT
AVAILABLE
PRINT Limited edition of 250 Millennium Proof Edition Prints.
Full Item Details		 Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm) Brown, Cyril
Crew, Edward
Cunningham, John
Ellacombe, John
Foster, Bob
Fox, Peter
Hairs, Peter
Morfill, Percy
Murray, Alan
Neil, Tom
Parrott, Peter
Peel, John
Pond, Arthur
Riddle, Christopher
Thompson, Tommy
Brothers, Peter
Currant, Christopher
Sinclair, Gordon
David, Dennis
Drake, Billy
Farnes, Paul
+ Artist : Robert Taylor		Add any two items on this offer to your basket, and the lower priced item will be half price in the checkout!£495.00

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Glorious Summer by Robert Taylor  Image shows nearest, young Pilot Officer Geoffrey Page, later to become one of the RAFs most highly decorated fighter aces, powers his Mk I Hurricane over the country lane at the edge of the airfield, as he and his fellow No 56 Squadron pilots make their third scramble of the day.  Signatories: Air Commodore Pete Brothers, Wg Cdr Christopher 'Bunny' Currant, Gp Cpt Denis David, Gp Cpt Billy Drake, Wg Cdr Paul Farnes and Wg Cdr. Gordon Sinclair.

Throughout the long hot summer of 1940 the destiny of the British Isles, indeed the future of Europe, lay in the hands of a small band of young RAF fighter pilots. Against them stood the vast aerial fleets of an all-powerful Luftwaffe, gloating and confident from its victories in Poland, France and the Low Countries. Lying in wait across the Channel, anticipating an easy victory by its air force, were the armies of the most powerful tyrant the world had ever known. With Europe already succumbed to Nazi rule, Britain was alone, the last bastion among the free nations to stand against an evil empire bent upon world domination. The battle, the first ever to be fought entirely in the air, would change the course of history, whatever the outcome.

Outnumbered more than five to one at the outset, the odds were so heavily stacked against the RAF, the task looked hopeless. But as the ferocious aerial battles continued through the long summer months, the tactical skills, devotion and raw courage of the RAF's young flyers, gradually turned the tide. By September end, the battle was won and the defeated Luftwaffe retired to its plundered territories to lick its wounds.

London Guard by Adrian Rigby  Like many others, the Hurricanes of No.56 Squadron were frequently scrambled to attack German formations heading for London.  Signatories: Flt Lt Ronald H Smyth DFC AE RAF.
 

 


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