|
Aviation artist Gerald Coulson's
superb collection of aviation art prints of the Avro Lancaster. Some of
these aviation art prints by Coulson are nearly sold out but are in stock
for immediate dispatch by aviationartprints.com. subsidiary of Cranston
Fine Arts, the aviation art print specialist.
Gerald Coulson has been painting
professionally for over 30 years. the Fine Art Guild have placed him
among the top ten best selling UK artists no less than 15 times in 12
years - 3 times at No. 1. Coulson's first love was aircraft,
studying them and drawing them at every opportunity, from an early
age. His apprenticeship as an aircraft engineer then as an RAF
Technician and later an engineer with British Airways, have allowed him an
insight and intimate knowledge of the aircraft he paints. Now a Vice
President, he is a founder member of the Guild of Aviation Artists and
four times winner of the Flight International Trophy for outstanding
aviation painting. He qualified for his pilots licence in 1960 and
is still actively flying today - mostly vintage aircraft and can often be
seen buzzing over the Fens of Cambridgeshire in a Tiger Moth.
Whatever the subject, whether aviation, landscape or portrait, his ability
to capture the realism and mood of the scene is unsurpassed, making him
one of the most collected and highly regarded artists in the world today
Winter Ops by Gerald Coulson This third and final painting in Coulson's Tribute to Bomber Command
depicts Lancaster Bombers of No.8 (PFF) Group returning late after a
gruelling operation over Berlin. It is Christmas 1943 and the winter
landscape reflects the early morning sunrise as the weary crews approach
the safety of their Cambridgeshire base. Produced in support of the RAF Benevolent Fund, this edition is
dedicated to all those who flew with Bomber Command and each print is
signed by prominent aircrew.
Alone at Dawn by Gerald Coulson A crippled Lancaster limps back from a night bombing raid over occupied
Europe. As was often the case the mighty bomber has been heavily damaged
by flak and with an engine out has fallen far behind the main force. Dawn
is now breaking and the crew, still over a hostile North Sea, desperately
struggle to reach the safety of the British mainland. Produced in support of the RAF Benevolent Fund, this edition is
dedicated to all those who flew with Bomber Command and each print is
signed by prominent aircrew. This is the 2nd in a trilogy of prints.
|
| Dambusters - The Morning After by Gerald Coulson. Just after midnight, on the night of 16/17 May 1943, Lancaster crews of 617 Squadron undertook what was to become the most remarkable and probably best remembered air raid of the Second World War. Flying all the way from their base in England in darkness at tree-top height, with just the light of the moon to guide them, the specially selected crews made a surprise attack on the mighty hydro-electric dams in the Ruhr. Flying specially modified aircraft, each Lancaster was equipped with the unique cylindrical hydro-statically detonated bomb as conceived by Barnes Wallis. This huge device when released from the aircraft flying at exactly 230mph and at the precise height of 60 ft spun onto the surface of the water. To achieve the critical height above the water at moment of release, two beams of light, from front and aft, were projected from the aircraft on to the surface of the water, creating a neat figure-of-eight on the surface below. As each bomb bounced across the water towards its target, it struck the dam wall, sank to the pre-set depth, and exploded. The results were devastating. Led by the mercurial Squadron Leader Guy Gibson, ignoring furious defensive gunfire while flying perilously close to the water, each crew made their precision run at the target, released their deadly bomb, and those lucky enough to survive the barrage of tracer shells and anti-aircraft fire, escaped into the darkness. Not all of them did. In the space of those few, highly charged minutes, the Lancaster crews of 617 Squadron wrote their names into history. Sixty-four years on, the memory of their exploits and the courage displayed by the crews on that historic raid, together with the genius of Bames Wallis, remain undimmed. Gerald Coulsons painting shows a single Lancaster of 617 Squadron, one of the lucky ones having made it safely back to base, proudly standing alone as if in tribute to those that didnt return. Signed limited edition of 450 prints. Image size 20.5 inches x 12.5 inches (52cm x 32cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Sergeant Raymond E. Grayston (deceased), Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM and Corporal Kenneth Lucas.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 20.5 inches x 12.5 inches (52cm x 32cm). Price £195.00 Signed by Sergeant Raymond E. Grayston (deceased), Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM, Corporal Kenneth Lucas and Captain Richard Todd OBE (deceased).
ITEM CODE DHM2641 |
| Band of Brothers by Gerald Coulson. Depicting an Avro Lancaster, Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire, the backbone of the Royal Air Force during World War Two. Open edition print. Image size 20 inches x 16 inches (51cm x 41cm). Price £51.00  Save £5 on selected prints - Was £56
ITEM CODE GC0651 |
| Alone at Dawn by Gerald Coulson. Heavily damaged by flak and with one engine out, a Lancaster slowly makes its way home far behind the main force. Signed limited edition of 500 prints, with 5 signatures. Image size 24 inches x 17 inches (61cm x 43cm). Price £180.00 Signed by Flying Officer Bill North, Air Commodore D M Strong CB, AFC, Squadron Leader B A Jimmy James MC, Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Michael Beetham GCB CBE DFC AFC FRAeS and Group Captain Drane Lowe, CBE DFC AFC.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs, with 9 signatures. Image size 24 inches x 17 inches (61cm x 43cm). Price £295.00 Signed by Flying Officer Bill North, Air Commodore D M Strong CB, AFC, Squadron Leader B A Jimmy James MC, Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Michael Beetham GCB CBE DFC AFC FRAeS, Group Captain Drane Lowe, CBE DFC AFC, Squadron Leader Lawrence Curtis DFC* (deceased), Flying Officer C B R Fish and Air Chief Marshal Sir Lewis Hodges KCB CBE DSO DFC* (deceased).
Limited edition of 40 publisher proofs, with 15 signatures. Image size 24 inches x 17 inches (61cm x 43cm). Price £595.00
Limited edition of 10 giclee canvas prints. Image size 24 inches x 17 inches (61cm x 43cm). Price £
ITEM CODE GC0003 |
| Long Night Ahead by Gerald Coulson. A Lancaster heads out to its target as the sun sets. Open edition print. Size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £42.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
**Open edition print. (One copy reduced to clear) Size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £32.00
ITEM CODE FAR0531 |
| The Sinking of The Tirpitz by Gerald Coulson. One secondary market remarque print available, numbered 398 / 500. Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Paper size 33.5 inches x 29 inches (85cm x 73cm). Price £
ITEM CODE AX0040 |
| Winter Ops by Gerald Coulson. Up to 1942 Bomber Command operations were beset by many problems. The means they had to accurately pinpoint the target and assault it were totally lacking, in fact their Commander in Chief, Air Marshall Arthur Harris later wrote : It was glaringly obvious that the average crew in average weather could not find their way to the target. Between February and August 1942 an effort was made to rectify this through the development of a specialised target finding and target marking force, which became known as the Pathfinders. Activated on August 15 this new group was formed under the leadership of their AOC Air Commodore Don Bennett, himself a very experienced pre war pilot with exceptional navigational skills. The aircrews of No. 8 (PFF) Group were tasked with marking out the designated targets but the formation of this group was initially opposed by Harris. He felt that the ranks of his Main Force could be weakened if a high number of experienced and highly skilled crews were taken by this specialist unit, leading to a lessening of skills within the other bomber groups. He agreed however for an alternative scheme whereby complete units were assigned to the Pathfinder Force and the stage was then set for what was to become the Main Offensive of Bomber Command. The first four Squadrons – Nos. 7 (Stirlings) 35 (Halifax) 83 (Lancaster) and 156 (Wellingtons) – were based at a clutch of airfields between Cambridge and Huntingdon. In the absence of any specialist Target Markers the crews were initially forced to operate using standard flares and the early raids produced variable results, with cloud cover often proving the main obstacle in accurate marking. However during the winter of 1942 the introduction of the ground guided marking system, OBOE, marked a quantum leap in accurate target marking and by mid 1943 Pathfinder techniques had been developed for all forms of weather conditions, including nights when complete overcast existed.Pathfinder crews used a combination of personal skill and technical equipment such as H2S to locate their targets. Often flying against overwhelming odds and in appalling conditions they transformed the performance of a bomber force that in 1941 was dropping almost half its bombs on open countryside. This third and final painting in Gerald Coulsons Tribute to Bomber Command depicts Lancaster Bombers of No.8 (PFF) Group returning late after a gruelling operation over Berlin. It is Christmas 1943 and the winter landscape reflects the early morning sunrise as the weary crews approach the safety of their Cambridgeshire base. Signed limited edition of 500 prints, with 5 signatures. Image size 24 inches x 17 inches (61cm x 43cm). Price £180.00 Signed by Squadron Leader Norman Scrivener DSO DFC (deceased), Flight Lieutenant John Petrie-Andrews DFC DFM, Wing Commander Jim Wright DFC, Flight Lieutenant Dennis Woolley DFC DFM and Wing Commander Ernest Rodley DSO DFC AFC AE.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 24 inches x 17 inches (61cm x 43cm). Price £295.00 Signed by Squadron Leader Norman Scrivener DSO DFC (deceased), Flight Lieutenant John Petrie-Andrews DFC DFM, Wing Commander Jim Wright DFC, Flight Lieutenant Dennis Woolley DFC DFM, Wing Commander Ernest Rodley DSO DFC AFC AE, Warrant Officer M Ben Brennan DFM AFM, Flight Lieutenant Derek Balcombe DFC, Group Captain Gerry South DSO DFC and Warrant Officer Bill Wilcox DFM.
Limited edition of 40 publishers proofs, with 15 signatures. Image size 24 inches x 17 inches (61cm x 43cm). Price £595.00 Signed by Squadron Leader Norman Scrivener DSO DFC (deceased), Flight Lieutenant John Petrie-Andrews DFC DFM, Wing Commander Jim Wright DFC, Flight Lieutenant Dennis Woolley DFC DFM, Wing Commander Ernest Rodley DSO DFC AFC AE, Warrant Officer M Ben Brennan DFM AFM, Flight Lieutenant Derek Balcombe DFC, Group Captain Gerry South DSO DFC, Warrant Officer Bill Wilcox DFM, Air Commodore E. B. Ted Sismore DSO DFC AFC, Squadron Leader R G Bob Wadsworth DSO DFC, Squadron Leader Ron Curtis DSO DFC, Group Captain Geoffrey Womersley DSO DFC and Flt Lt Bertie Boulter DFC.
Limited edition of 10 giclee canvas prints. Image size 24 inches x 17 inches (61cm x 43cm). Price £495.00
ITEM CODE GC0005 |
| Outbound Lancaster by Gerald Coulson. An all time classic image of the Lancaster bomber of Bomber command at altitude crossing the coast on its way to another bombing mission in Europe. In this atmospheric classic image, Gerald Coulson has shown this stalwart of the Royal Air Forces Bomber Command during the second world war. A superb partner painting to the other classic Gerald Coulson image, Off Duty Lancaster. Open edition print. Image size 30 inches x 23 inches (76cm x 58cm). Price £45.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Open edition print. Image size 16 inches x 12 inches (41cm x 31cm). Price £16.00
RAF Edition of 50 signed prints, signed by the artist Gerald Coulson. Image size 30 inches x 23 inches (76cm x 58cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Flt Lt Don Briggs DFM,
Warrant Officer Harry Irons DFC,
Warrant Officer Frank Stone
and
Warrant Officer John Morrison. Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
**Open edition print. (One copy reduced to clear) Image size 30 inches x 23 inches (76cm x 58cm). Price £33.00
ITEM CODE GC0302 |
| Merlins Thunder by Gerald Coulson. The Avro Lancaster bomber of Bomber Command flies low over occupied Europe at speed thanks to the Merlin engines. Open edition print. Image size 28 inches x 14 inches (71cm x 36cm). Price £51.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Save £5 on selected prints - Was £56
**Open edition print. (One copy reduced to clear) Image size 28 inches x 14 inches (71cm x 36cm) . Price £38.00
ITEM CODE GC0642 |
| A Lincolnshire Sunset 1944 by Gerald Coulson. The Avro Lancaster was possibly the most versatile and successful bomber aircraft ever and certainly became the backbone of RAF Bomber Command during WWII. Being able to deliver a greater payload than any other aircraft of The War, the Lancaster was involved in nearly every night bombing raid on Europe and undertook some of the most famous bombing missions in History. Of all the crews of RAF Bomber Command 617 Squadron are perhaps the best known. Famed for their expertise in precision bombing they took part in some of the most daring raids of the War. Many of the crews such as Guy Gibson, Leonard Cheshire and Bill Reid became household names and their exploits are well documented. This superb painting by Gerald Coulson is a tribute to all those crews who flew with Bomber Command. Each print is personally signed by prominent crew who flew with 617 Squadron during WWII. Coulsons painting captures the moment perfectly. As the sun is setting in the early part of 1944 over their Lincolnshire airfield , groundcrews make final preparations to the Lancasters of 617 Squadron. Beneath the mighty aircraft crews ready themselves for a long , gruelling night operation over occupied Europe. Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 24 inches x 17 inches (61cm x 43cm). Price £180.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant J Castagnola DSO DFC, Squadron Leader Malcolm Mac Hamilton DFC*, Flt Lieutenant Bob Knights DSO, DFC (deceased), Flight Lieutenant Fred Watts DFC (deceased) and Squadron Leader Tony Iveson DFC.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 24 inches x 17 inches (61cm x 43cm). Price £295.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant J Castagnola DSO DFC, Squadron Leader Malcolm Mac Hamilton DFC*, Flt Lieutenant Bob Knights DSO, DFC (deceased), Flight Lieutenant Fred Watts DFC (deceased), Squadron Leader Tony Iveson DFC, Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM, Sergeant Raymond E. Grayston (deceased), Flight Lieutenant Edward Johnson DFC (deceased) and Flight Lieutenant George Chalmers DFC DFM.
Limited edition of 10 giclee canvas prints. Image size 24 inches x 17 inches (61cm x 43cm). Price £495.00
ITEM CODE GC0001 |
| Off Duty Lancaster at Rest by Gerald Coulson. an all time classic image of the Lancaster bomber of Bomber ommand being prepared by the RAF ground crew. The ground crew showed their expertise and commitment in keeping these superb bombers ready and in top condition in all weather. In this atmospheric classic image, Gerald Coulson shows the gorund crew preparing the Lancaster, a great stalwart of Bomber Command during the second world war. A superb partner painting to the other classic Gerald Coulson image, Outbound lancaster. Open edition print. Image size 30 inches x 22 inches (76cm x 56cm). Price £45.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Open edition print. Image size 16 inches x 12 inches (41cm x 31cm). Price £18.00
**Open edition print. (One copy reduced to clear) Image size 30 inches x 22 inches (76cm x 56cm). Price £
ITEM CODE GC0499 |
| A Lincolnshire Sunset 1944 by Gerald Coulson As the sun is setting in the early part of 1944 over their
Lincolnshire airfield, the ground crews make final preparations to the
Lancasters' of 617 squadron. Beneath the aircraft crews ready themselves
for long, gruelling night operation over occupied Europe. Produced to help raise funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund this superb
new edition is a tribute to all those who flew with RAF Bomber Command.
Each print is personally signed by prominent aircrew all of whom flew with
617 squadron during WWII. This is the first edition in a trilogy to be
released this year.
The Avro Lancaster was possibly the most
versatile and successful bomber aircraft ever and certainly became the
backbone of RAF Bomber Command during WWII. Being able to deliver a
greater payload than any other aircraft of the War; the Lancaster took
part in nearly every night bombing raid on Europe and crews would operate
whenever there was a possibility of reaching their target. Indeed the
unrelenting determination and courage of these men paved the way for the
ultimate liberation of Europe.
Of all the crews of RAF Bomber Command 617 Squadron are perhaps the
best known. Famed for their expertise in precision bombing and utilising
many of the developments of Barnes Wallis, they took part in some of the
most famous and daring operations of the war - the sinking of the Tirpitz
and the legendary attack on the Ruhr Dams are just two of the many
successes that the squadron were involved in. Many of the crews themselves
such as Guy Gibson, Leonard Cheshire and Bill Reid became household names
and their exploits are well documented.
Off Duty Lancaster at Rest by Gerald Coulson In the mist n Avro Lancaster of the Royal Air Force is shown being
attended by ground crew. |
|
On the night of 16th/17th May 1943 Wing Commander Guy Gibson led a
small force of 19 Lancaster's of 617 Squadron on what was to become
one of the most daring and ingenious raids in history. Flying from
RAF Scampton their mission - code named Operation Chastise - was to breach
the mighty hydroelectric dams of the Ruhr, Mohne, Eder and Sorpe, a task
which Arthur Harris had earlier described as impossible.
Months of preparation had preceded the attack with the Squadron
practicing the use of their unique bouncing bombs - code named Upkeep -
the brain child of the brilliant Barnes Wallis. The actual targets
were only revealed to the crew's a short time before their departure
however this elite unit were under no illusions as to the dangers of their
mission. Flying at altitudes as low as fifty feet and observing
strict radio silence they would face heavy flak and ground fire crossing
Holland to Germany. On the run in to the target, using their height
finding spotlights they would have to fly in complete darkness at
precisely 60 feet before their lethal cargo could be released.
Gerald Coulson has used his undeniable skills to recreate the attack on
the Mohne Dam as Mick Martin's aircraft pulls away from the target. His
9,250lb bomb explodes behind him and although not actually breaching the
dam wall, sends a huge plume of water into the air leaving a fine mist
hanging in the atmosphere. Guy Gibson having already made his run
flies to Martin's right, lights on full drawing gun fire from the towers.
Below them the power station hit by John Hopgood's bomb on the previous
run is still engulfed in flames.
The Dambusters Raid was probably the most brilliant air attack of the
Second World War but the success was not without its cost. Of the 19
aircraft that took part in the mission eight failed to return, in fact
only 6 returned unscathed, with the loss of 53 aircrew. The
destruction of the Mohne and Eder Dams released over 150 million gallons
of water into the Ruhr valley and caused widespread flooding and severe
interruption to industry, communications and various utilities. One
of the most important consequences was that over 20,000 men had to be
redeployed by the enemy to repair the damage.
Following the raid no fewer than 33 aircrew received decorations for
gallantry, including Gibson's award of the Victoria Cross. |
|
