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History 85 Squadron Royal Air Force 85 Squadron. Hawker
Hurricane of No.85 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.
Fighter Pilot of 85 Squadron. Group Captain
Peter Townsend CVO, DSO, DFC Peter Townsend was one of the
most inspirational fighter leaders of the Battle of Britain. In February
1940, flying a Hurricane, he had shot down the first German aircraft to
fall on English soil in World War II, and this was the first of a string
of successes for the popular commander of 85 Squadron. Shot down twice,
wounded, and flying part of the Battle when he couldn't walk, Peter
Townsend survived to lead the first night-fighter squadron. He later
became Equerry to King George VI, a post he held for 8 years
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.
Hurricane Scramble by Michael
Turner. Hurricanes of 85 Sqn. scramble from Merville, France, in
May 1940.
The Fly Past by Robin Smith Hurricane MK1 of 85
Sqdn, Debden.
Return From Combat by Simon Smith Hurricanes of 85 Squadron, 1940 |
| Defence of the Realm by Robert Taylor. In the azure skies above London and the south-eastern Shires of England during the long, hot summer of 1940, a small band of RAF fighter pilots, substantially out-numbered, and against all odds, flew and fought a savage aerial battle in defence of the Realm. Their success in repelling the might of the Luftwaffe has become legend. They were Churchills FEW. Fresh from the heat of battle after a dog-fight over the city, No. 85 Squadrons C.O., Peter Townsend, levels off and turns his Hurricane for home to re-fuel, re-arm, and rejoin the fight. A symbolic portrayal paying tribute to the Hawker Hurricane and its legendary pilots who, between them, accounted for four of every five enemy aircraft destroyed during the momentous Battle of Britain. Signed limited edition of 1500 prints. Paper size 28 inches x 21 inches (71cm x 53cm). Price £230.00 Signed by Group Captain Peter Townsend CVO, DSO, DFC. ITEM CODE DHM2139 |
| The Fly Past by Robin Smith. Hurricane MK1 of 85 Sqdn, Debden. Signed edition. Image size 12 inches x 8.5 inches (31cm x 22cm). Price £18.00 ITEM CODE RS0011 |
| Return From Combat by Simon Smith. Two 85 squadron Hurricanes returning to base after a battle over the skies of southern England in the summer of 1940. Signed limited edition of 850 prints. Image size 20 inches x 15 inches (51cm x 38cm). Price £95.00
Limited edition of artist proofs. Image size 20 inches x 15 inches (51cm x 38cm). Price £135.00
Thorogood Presentation Edition of 4 Artist Proofs, supplied double mounted. Image size 20 inches x 15 inches (51cm x 38cm). Price £260.00 Features the mounted original signature of Squadron Leader Lawrence Thorogood DFC AE. ITEM CODE DHM1462 |
| Hurricane Patrol by Graeme Lothian. After taking part in the Battle of France early in 1940, 85 Squadron moved to Croydon on the 19th August, where, led by renowned squadron leader Peter Townsend DSO DFC, the squadron played a notable part in the Battle of Britain. Thirty Hurricane squadrons participated in the Battle of Britain compared to only eighteen Spitfire squadrons, claiming 80 percent of the RAF victories. Sir Sidney Camms innovative design ensured the Hurricane became a classic fighter. Hurricane Patrol portrays Squadron Leader Peter Townsend leading 85 Squadron on a high altitude sortie during the long hot summer of 1940. Signed limited edition of 1150 prints. Image size 25 inches x 16 inches (64cm x 41cm). Price £95.00
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 16 inches (64cm x 41cm). Price £135.00 Signed by H. E. Tappin
Limited edition of 150 prints with extra signature, from the edition of 1150 signed prints. Image size 25 inches x 16 inches (64cm x 41cm). Price £105.00 Signed by H. E. Tappin
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 30 inches x 22 inches (76cm x 56cm). Price £460.00
Original painting by Graeme Lothian. . Price £2400.00 ITEM CODE DHM1177 |
| Fury of Assault by Robert Taylor. When Luftwaffe bombers first appeared in force in the night skies over London in September 1940 they heralded the beginning of The Blitz - the most sustained period of concentrated bombing aimed at British cities during World War II. Robert Taylors evocative painting brings to life the frightening scenario of the Luftwaffes night bombing campaign. It is December 1941, and London is once again under concentrated attack. With fires raging below, the armada of German bombers is clearly visible in the night sky as they sweep across the city. Shimmering in the glow of destruction, a lone Hurricane night-fighter from 85 Squadron, based at nearby Gravesend, engages Heinkel 111s of KG55 in a desperate attempt to break up the formations. Signed limited edition of 700 prints. Paper size 29 inches x 23.5 inches (74cm x 60cm). Price £200.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant Roy Daines DFM, Oberleutnant Joachim Berking, Unteroffizier Fahnenjunker Walter Bogdan, Oberleutnant Heinrich Sudel and Oberleutnant Karl-Horst Meyer zum Felde.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Paper size 29 inches x 23.5 inches (74cm x 60cm). Price £325.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant Roy Daines DFM, Oberleutnant Joachim Berking, Unteroffizier Fahnenjunker Walter Bogdan, Oberleutnant Heinrich Sudel and Oberleutnant Karl-Horst Meyer zum Felde. ITEM CODE DHM2627 |
| Hurricane Scramble by Michael Turner. Hurricanes of 85 Sqn. scramble from Merville, France, in May 1940. Open edition print. Paper size 21.5 inches x 17 inches (54cm x 43cm). Price £25.00 ITEM CODE GT0076 |
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