|
92
Squadron Royal Air Force. Supermarine Spitfire of 92 Squadron flown by
Brian Kingcombe. shown in aviation art prints available from aviationprints.co.uk, part of the Royal Air Force
squadron's history in aviation art.
Great
Fighter Pilots , Air Commodore J A Leathart. Nicknamed 'The Prof' on
No 54 Squadron He
begun his flying training whilst still at university as a member of No 610
Squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force. On
Graduating he joined the Royal Air Force
and completed his flying training at No 3 FTS and then joined No 54
Squadron at Hornchurch equipped with Gauntlets.
The squadron was re equipped with Spitfire I's and owing to the
rapid expansion of the RAF he soon found himself a flight commander on the
squadron.
In 1940, prior to the fall of France he undertook a rescue mission
when the CO of No 74 became stranded in France
at Calais/Marck airport. He
commandeered a Miles Master trainer, and escorted by fellow squadron
pilots, including Al Deere, he flew to France collected 74's CO and flew
him back to Britain. Five
hours after the invasion of Normandy, he landed on the beach with a jeep
mounted light radar unit, in order that he could control night fighters in
the beach-head area.
Distinguished
Service Order
Citation reads.
Acting Flight Lieutenant James Anthony LEATHART (39625).
During May, 1940, this officer led his squadron on a large number
of offensive patrols over- Northern France. On one occasion an attack was
made on a formation of no less than 60 enemy aircraft. In company with his
squadron he has shot down fifteen Messerschmitts, and possibly one Heinkel
in and one Junkers 88, during the period mentioned. He also flew a trainer
aircraft to Calais Marck aerodrome
to rescue a squadron commander who had been shot down there but was
uninjured. Whilst taking off, after the rescue, an attack was made by
twelve Messerschmitt log's but with great coolness and skilful evasive
tactics Flight Lieutenant Leathart succeeded in shaking off the enemy and
landing again without damage. Subsequently, he took off and flew back to
England unescorted. This officer
has displayed great courage, determination and splendid leadership.
Gazetted 11 June 1940 |
| Spitfires Safely Home by Stephen Brown. It is the winter of 1941 and heavy snow has disrupted operations for several days. A break in the weather today has brought blue skies and the opportunity for the ground crew to clear the runway of snow and get the pilots of 92 Squadron airborne. Flt. Lt. Geoffrey Wellum and his fellow fighter pilots are bringing their Spitfires safely home after the third and final sortie of the day. Signed limited edition of 100 prints. Paper size 28 inches x 18.5 inches (71cm x 47cm). Price £95.00 Signed by Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum DFC.
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Paper size 28 inches x 18.5 inches (71cm x 47cm). Price £120.00 Signed by Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum DFC and Group Captain Allan Wright DFC AFC. ITEM CODE DHM2624 |
| Spitfires - Masters of the Air by Philip West. At the end of another days hard air combat fighting over the war-torn skies of England, Spitfires of 92 Squadron enjoy a rare, peaceful moment prior to returning to base during the Battle of Britain. The few prevailed and gave us the freedom we enjoy to this day. Signed limited edition of 125 prints. Paper size 24 inches x 15 inches (61cm x 38cm). Price £95.00 Signed by Flying Officer T W Terry Green.
Limited edition of 40 artist proofs. Paper size 24 inches x 15 inches (61cm x 38cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Flying Officer T W Terry Green and Air Commodore Peter Brothers CBE, DSO, DFC*. ITEM CODE DHM2678 |
| First Light by Gerald Coulson. In Gerald Coulsons fine study First Light, Mk Vb Spitfires of 92 Squadron climb out of Biggin Hill at the outset of an early morning patrol on a cold winters morning in February 1941. Leaving the mist behind as the first beams of light streak across the heavens, they will turn to the east and steel themselves to meet the enemy, high in the dawn sky. Signed limited edition of 300 prints. Print paper size 27 inches x 21 inches (69cm x 53cm). Price £135.00 Signatories: Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Wellum DFC; Sqn Ldr Neville Duke DSO OBE DFC. ITEM CODE DHM2588 |
| Evening Glory by Philip West. Without doubt the most famous British fighter aircraft. It always inspired devotion from pilots and mechanics alike – to this very day. Flight Lt. Geoff Wellum in his 92 Sqn. Spitfire, during an all-too rare quiet moment, one evening during the summer of 1940 - the height of the Battle of Britain. The aircraft that inspired devotion from pilots and mechanics alike, and such statements as - she really was the perfect flying machine; she hadnt got a vice at all - was also admired by those on the ground. In propaganda posters and illustrations, the Spitfire represented Britains defiance and commitment to ultimate victory. Signed limited edition of 100 prints. Paper size 26.5 inches x 16.5 inches (67cm x 42cm). Price £125.00 Signed by Flt. Lt. Geoffrey Wellum DFC.
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Paper size 26.5 inches x 16.5 inches (67cm x 42cm). Price £170.00 Signed by Flt. Lt. Geoffrey Wellum DFC and Group Captain Allan R. Wright DFC AFC. ITEM CODE DHM2332 |
| Defence of the Realm by Adrian Rigby. A Spitfire Mk1 from No.92 Squadron claims its first Me109. Signed limited edition of 295 prints. Image size 10 inches x 20 inches (25cm x 51cm). Price £95.00 ITEM CODE LE0625 |
| Pinpoint Navigation by Stephen Brown. There can be few experiences more stirring than the sight and sound of Merlin powered Spitfires at treetop height. In this print the calm of an English village is momentarily shattered as Spitfire Vbs of 92 Squadron flash overhead, having been scrambled to intercept a Luftwaffe raid during the summer of 1941. Signed limited edition of 350 prints. Image size 28 inches x 19 inches (71cm x 48cm). Price £80.00
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Image size 28 inches x 19 inches (71cm x 48cm). Price £100.00
Limited edition of 25 remarques. Image size 28 inches x 19 inches (71cm x 48cm). Price £200.00
ITEM CODE DHM2212 |
| First Light - Battle of Britain, July 1940 by Philip West. Another busy start to the day at Biggin Hill in the summer of 1940. The Battle of Britain is at its height and 92 Squadron Spitfires with Geoffrey Wellum in G for George, depart under early morning sunlight to engage a mass of incoming enemy aircraft over the southeast coast. By the end of 1940 the Squadron was credited with having destroyed 127 German aircraft. Signed limited edition of 150 prints. Paper size 16 inches x 26 inches (41cm x 66cm). Price £95.00 Signed by Flt Lt Geoffrey Wellum.
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Paper size 16 inches x 26 inches (41cm x 66cm). Price £ Signed by Flt Lt Geoffrey Wellum and Sq Ldr Neville Duke.
Limited edition of 25 remarques. Paper size 16 inches x 26 inches (41cm x 66cm). Price £300.00 Signed by Flt Lt Geoffrey Wellum and Sq Ldr Neville Duke. ITEM CODE DHM2319 |
| The Hunting Party by Ivan Berryman. Depicting Spitfires of No.92 Squadron, which on their first mission over Dunkirk, encountered six ME109Es and succeeded in shooting down every one of them! Such actions came to symbolise the spirit of the 92nd Squadron which went on to see intense fighting during the Battle of Britain and by the end of 1940 had claimed an astonishing 127 enemy aircraft destroyed. A dramatic and unusual perspective on this classic aeroplane addition to any collection of Spitfire paintings. Signed limited edition of 400 prints. Special Promotion - This item is HALF PRICE! Image size 23 inches x 14 inches (58cm x 36cm). Price £57.00
Limited edition of 60 prints. Image size 23 inches x 14 inches (58cm x 36cm). Price £110.00 Signed by Johnnie Johnson.
Dundas Presentation Edition of 3 Limited Edition Prints, supplied double mounted. Image size 23 inches x 14 inches (58cm x 36cm). Price £270.00 Features the mounted original signature of Group Captain Sir Hugh Dundas CBE DSO DFC DI. ITEM CODE B0019 |
| Tally Ho by Robert Taylor In this classic Robert Taylor painting Brian Kingcome is seen leading the Spitfires of 92 Squadron in a diving attack into a force of HEIIIs over the city of London during the height of the Battle of Britain. Brian Kingcome flew Spitfires operationally virtually without break, right throughout the war. Signed limited edition of 990 prints. Paper size 24 inches x 20 inches (61cm x 51cm) Sold out edition. One secondary market print available.. Price £115.00 ITEM CODE DHM2079 |
| Depart in Peace by Geoff Lea. On 15th September 1965, the late Jeffrey Quill flew the old Spitfire VB AB910 into RAF Station Coltishall to be handed over to the Royal Air Force Memorial Flight and preserved in perpetuity. Significantly, this was to be virtually the final moment of a thirty-year association and devotion by Jeffrey Quill to his beloved Spitfire. Signed limited edition of 750 prints. . . Price £105.00 Signed by Jeffrey Quill, OBE, AFC, FRAeS. ITEM CODE DHM2514 |
|
Depart in Peace by Geoff Lea On 15th September 1965, the late Jeffrey Quill flew the
old Spitfire VB AB910 into RAF Station Coltishall to be handed over to the
Royal Air Force Memorial Flight and preserved in perpetuity.
Significantly, this was to be virtually the final moment of a thirty-year
association and devotion by Jeffrey Quill to his beloved Spitfire.
After Mutt Summers' initial flight, it was largely left to Jeffrey to help
turn Reginald Mitchell's inspired design into the most famous fighter
aircraft of all time. Jeffrey Quill writes in his book, 'Spitfire, A Test
Pilot's Story', "It had been my business to criticise it and identify
its faults; I had no illusions about it and knew its problems only too
well. Indeed, they had caused me sleepless nights all too often... As I
climbed out of the cockpit of AB910 I had that feeling of sadness, of
bidding farewell to an old an trusted friend." The title of the print comes most appropriately from the
words of Nunc Dimittis, - "Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart
in peace," as AB910 goes into the loving care of the Memorial Flight.
AB910 had a long, historic career since being built in
1942 at Castle Bromwich. It was delivered to 92 Squadron whose
letters QJ-J it bore at the time of presentation. Ninety-two Squadron flew
Spitfires throughout the entire war and was also one of the Royal Air
Force's top-scoring squadrons. AB910 was also the aircraft on which
a ground crew WAAF, now Miss Horton, made an unscheduled flight crouched
across the tail. After the war, it was bought by the late Air Cmdre
A. H. Wheeler, CBE, and later by Vickers-Armstrong Aircraft limited, who
completely restored it. This work was carried out almost as a solo
job by Arthur Luscombe at Chilbolton and later the aircraft was based at
South Marston. As shown in this painting, AB910 was fitted with a
Merlin 55M engine from a Seafire III to improve low-level performance, and
a four-bladed propeller, untypical of a Spitfire V, both of which have now
been changed by the Memorial Flight. After a life of more than forty years, AB910 continues
to give pleasure to thousands as it participates in displays during the
summer months. AB910 serves as a permanent reminder of those days of
the 1940s when the flashing, eliptical wings skimmed high and proudly to
bring freedom to the skies. Now, as then, to be a Spitfire pilot is the
dream of small boys of all ages. Indeed, even as one sees and hears
this remarkable machine, inevitably its magic draws us all into its heart
to become part of a legend.It is hoped that this print of a unique occasion in
Spitfire history will serve to propagate that magic, so that succeeding
generations can share in our wonder. Copy No.1 hangs in the R. J.
Mitchell Hall in Southampton, and further copies have been presented to
the Royal Air Force Museum and the Smithsonian Institute.
Pinpoint Navigation by Stephen Brown There can be few experiences more stirring than the sight and sound of
Merlin powered Spitfires at treetop height. In this print the calm of an
English village is momentarily shattered as Spitfire Vbs of 92 Squadron
flash overhead, having been scrambled to intercept a Luftwaffe raid during
the summer of 1941.
In Defence of Britain by Philip West Spitfires (MkI) of 92 Squadron out of Biggin Hill in September 1940
are about to take on the enemy during the Battle of Britain. The
aircraft in the background was flown by Pilot Officer Alan Wright - his
list of victories was eleven, three destroyed, two probables, two
possibles and seven damaged.
Tally Ho by Robert Taylor In this classic Robert Taylor painting Brian Kingcome is seen leading
the Spitfires of 92 Squadron in a diving attack into a force of HEIIIs
over the city of London during the height of the Battle of Britain. Brian
Kingcome flew Spitfires operationally virtually without break, right
throughout the war Signatories: Brian Kingcome.
Defence of the Realm by Adrian Rigby A Spitfire Mk1 from No.92 Squadron claims its first Me109.
Signatories: Wg Cdr Patrick Peter Colin Barthropp DFC AFC RAF.
The Hunting Party (Spitfires) by Ivan Berryman Depicting Spitfires of No.92 Squadron, which on their first mission
over Dunkirk, encountered six ME109Es and succeeded in shooting down
every one of them! Such actions came to symbolise the spirit of the
92nd Squadron which went on to see intense fighting during the Battle
of Britain and by the end of 1940 had claimed an astonishing 127 enemy
aircraft destroyed. A dramatic and unusual perspective on this classic
aeroplane addition to any collection of Spitfire paintings.
|
|
