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History
of the Douglas Dakota aircraft. Transport
aircraft , parachute aircraft for D-Day and Arnhem, published by Cranston
Fine Arts, the aviation art company.
DOUGLAS DAKOTA, Transport aircraft with
three crew and can carry 28 passengers. speed 230-mph, and a altitude of
23,200 feet. maximum range 2,100 miles. The Douglas Dakota served in
all theatres of world war two, The Royal Air Force received its
first Douglas Dakota's in April 1941, to 31 squadron which was serving in
India. These were DC2, later DC3 and eventually C-47 Dakotas were
supplied. The Douglas Dakota was developed from the civil airliner of the
1930's. The Royal Air Force received nearly 2,000 Dakotas, But many
more than this served in the US Air Force and other allied countries. The
last flight of a Douglas Dakota of the Royal Air Force was in 1970.
You can still see Douglas Dakota's in operational and transport use across
the world. |
| D-Day The Airborne Assault by Robert Taylor. It began in pitch darkness. June 6, 1944 was only a few minutes old when the Airborne Pathfinders drifted silently down from the sky above the fields of Normandy. At first their seemed nothing untoward about the drone of aircraft in the night sky. The German garrisons in Northern France were used to the noise of aircraft overhead after dark, but this night seemed particularly busy. Looking skyward a German sentry caught sight of parachutes floating down, clearly visible as the moon fleetingly broke through the clouds. For an instant he thought it was the crew jumping from a damaged bomber, but when he saw the mass of canopies floating earthwards, he knew it was no ordinary event. Within moments of raising the alarm the crackle of automatic gunfire confirmed his worst fears: The Invasion of France had begun. The first assault upon Hitlers Fortress Europe came from the sky. Shortly after midnight waves of aircraft and gliders delivered three Divisions of elite airborne troops into Normandy, their crucial objectives to seize vital bridges, secure strategic positions and clear the way for the coming aerial armada. As the first streaks of dawn came over the horizon on that historic day, and with American and British paratroops already engaged in furious fire fights, the mighty amphibious armada began landing on the beaches of Normandy. Above them waves of troop-carrying aircraft towing gliders stretched from the coast of France all the way back to England. Closely escorted by fighters, they delivered over 20,000 highly trained men into the battlefield of Northern France. By nightfall the first phase of the greatest military invasion in history was complete. Five Divisions were were ashore and the Allies had established a toehold in occupied Europe. For the Third Reich it was the beginning of the end. Without the advanced airborne assault, and the air supremacy achieved by the escort fighters, the amphibious landings could have been a disaster. Seen crossing the Normandy beaches are C-47 Dakotas of the 438th Troop Carrier Group towing CG-4 Waco gliders, closely escorted by P-51Bs of the 354 Fighter Group. Below, landing craft swarm ashore putting men and equipment on the beaches, and everything about this spectacular painting brings alive the events of that historic day a half a century ago. Signed limited edition of 1000 prints. Paper size 34 inches x 25 inches (86cm x 64cm). Price £390.00 Signed by Warren Emerson, Clayton Gross, William King and Maurice Long; C-47 pilot Sid Harwell and glider pilot Miles Wagner. ITEM CODE AX0003 |
| Rare Pair of D-Day prints by Robert Taylor - Into Battle by Robert Taylor and Crash Landing by Robert Taylor. Into Battle - Piling out of their C47 Dakotas, US paratroopers decent into the Drop Zone inland from Utah Beach D-Day 1944.
Crash Landing - A Glider Pilot brings his fully laden CG Glider into the Normandy battlefield - D-Day 1944. Signed limited editions of 100 prints each. Image size 17 inches x 13.5 inches (43cm x 35cm). Price £390.00 ITEM CODE AX0038 |
| A Bold Leap by John Young. Red Berets drop on Arnhem. Signed limited edition of 495 prints. Paper size 30 inches x 24 inches (76cm x 61cm). Price £390.00 Signed by General Sir John Hackett CBE, DSO, MC. ITEM CODE AX0046 |
| 6th June 1944 (Dakotas) by Ivan Berryman. As part of Operation Overlord in June 1944, it was necessary to deploy large numbers of troops quickly and accurately to the fields and bridgeheads of Northern France. No aircraft was better suited to dropping paratroopers and their equipment than the ubiquitous Douglas Dakota, these examples being of No.271 Squadron from Down Ampney near Gloucester. Signed limited edition of 250 prints. Image size 17 inches x 10 inches (43cm x 25cm). Price £95.00 Signed by a pilot of 271 Squadron. ITEM CODE B0010 |
| Dakota Over Burma by Geoff Lea.
Open edition print.Special Promotion : This print is 30% off for a limited time only! Image size 15 inches x 10 inches (38cm x 25cm). Price £23.52
Signed open edition. Image size 15 inches x 10 inches (38cm x 25cm). Price £38.00 ITEM CODE DHM0266 |
| Arnhem by Simon Smith Douglas C47 Dakotas fly into the landing and drop zone at Renkum Heath, September 17th 1944. Open edition print. Special Promotion : This print is 30% off for a limited time only! Image size 23 inches x 15 inches (59cm x 38cm). Price £37.80
Open edition print. Image size 11.5 inches x 7 inches (30cm x 18cm). Price £13.00
Signed edition. Image size 23 inches x 15 inches (58cm x 38cm). Price £55.00
Signed edition. Image size 11.5 inches x 7 inches (30cm x 18cm). Price £28.00
Original painting, oil on board by Simon Smith. Massive Saving! Was £4800. Size 40 inches x 28 inches (102cm x 71cm). Price £2800.00 ITEM CODE DHM0404 |
| Market Garden. Arnhem by Graeme Lothian. Paratroopers of the 1st Battalion sort their kit out and get ready to enplane the waiting American Dakota C-47s of the 14 and 59 Squadrons/61st Troop Carrier Group. The paratroops took off simultaneously from Saltby and Barkston, commencing at 1121. All planes were in the air by 1155. A relatively uneventful trip over the northern route to the Netherlands resulted in not a plane being shot down; only five were slightly damaged. The 1st Battalion were dropped at 1403, 2nd Battalion at 1353 and the 3rd Battalion at 1356, all at DZ-X, west of Wolfhezen some eight miles west of Arnhem. The Battalion orders were for three different routes to the Arnhem Bridge. 1st Battalion took the Leopard route, 2nd Battalion Tiger route and the 3rd Battalion Lion route. Only the 2nd Battalion, commanded by Lt colonel John Frost managed to fight their way to the bridge. Signed limited edition of 1150 prints. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £95.00
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £135.00
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £590.00
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £460.00
Original painting by Graeme Lothian. Massive Saving! Was £3360. Image size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £2400.00
Postcard size 6 inches x 4 inches (15cm x 10cm). Price £2.00 ITEM CODE DHM1453 |
| Arnhem - September 17th 1944 by Graeme Lothian. Douglas C47 Dakotas fly into the landing and drop zone at Renkum Heath, September 17th 1944. Signed limited edition of 1150 prints. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £95.00
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £135.00
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £590.00
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £460.00
Original painting by Graeme Lothian. Image size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £2800.00
Postcard size 6 inches x 4 inches (15cm x 10cm). Price £2.00 ITEM CODE DHM1454 |
| Invasion Force by Nicolas Trudgian. Almost every major invasion that took place in Europe in World War II began with para drops, and in almost every case the C-47 was the aircraft that delivered these elite fighting troops. Few C-47 pilots had more combat experience than Sid Harwell, seen flying his Dakota in this typical action scene, dropping airborne troops into occupied Europe soon after D-Day. No matter what resistance he encountered, the good C-47 pilot put his aircraft right over the Dropping Zone, every time. Signed limited edition of 800 prints. Paper size 16 inches x 14 inches (41cm x 36cm). Price £55.00 Signed by
Colonel Sid Harwell, in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of 80 artist proofs. Paper size 16 inches x 14 inches (41cm x 36cm). Price £95.00 Signed by Colonel Sid Harwell, in addition to the artist. ITEM CODE DHM2440 |
| Perpetual Motion by Robert Tomlin. Dakota KN442 lands again at Gatow during the autumn of 1948 at the height of the Berlin Airlift as Yorks and Hastings wait to take off for the return. Each print is autographed by the pilot, navigator and signaller who flew KN442 on the airlift. KN442 is rare among airlift aircraft in that it still flies today as G-AMPZ for Air Atlantique more than 50 years on. Signed limited edition of 750 prints. Image size 13 inches x 20 inches (33cm x 51cm). Price £95.00 Signed by three Dakota pilots who participated in the Berlin Airlift, Ray Paul, F Stillwell and J Dalton ITEM CODE DHM2506 |
| Perpetual Motion II by Robert Tomlin. Dakota G-AMPZ (formerly KN442) of Air Atlantique resplendent in the commemorative livery of RAF Transport Command heads out across the English coast, back to Berlin? Still flying more than 50 years after serving valiantly on the Berlin Airlift, this aircraft carries out the bulk of the airlines passenger charters. These prints are signed by the current crew. Signed limited edition of 750 prints. Image size 10.5 inches x 15.5 inches (27cm x 40cm). Price £65.00 Signed by aircrew of Dakota G-AMPZ, Eemonn Williams and S Chambers. ITEM CODE DHM2507 |
| Together we Stand by Philip West. The Douglas Dakota was undoubtedly one of the most important allied aircraft of the Second World War. The aircraft served in a variety of roles including paratroop-dropping, glider-towing, casualty evacuation to transporting all sorts of materials from food to weapons of war. It did it all and in doing so, helped win the war. Signed limited edition of 150 prints. Paper size 27 inches x 16 inches (69cm x 41cm). Price £95.00
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Paper size 27 inches x 16 inches (69cm x 41cm). Price £135.00 ITEM CODE DHM2677 |
| C-46 Flying the Hump by Stan Stokes. The C-46 transport was one of Americas workhorses during the War. Signed limited edition of 950 prints, signed by two C-46 pilots - Kenneth Keisel and Clifford Barraclouth, and the artist. Size 31 inches x 25 inches (78cm x 64cm). Price £74.00 ITEM CODE STK0106 |
| D-Day Invaders by Stan Stokes. You are about to embark on the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other fronts, you will bring the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. These were the final words of Supreme Commander Eisenhower to the huge force assembled in June of 1944 on the eve of D-Day. Parachute infantry units would play an important role on D-Day. Although Billy Mitchell had contemplated forming airborne military forces during WW I, it was not until May of 1939 that the United States commenced a study regarding the feasibility of creating an air infantry. By 1940 an all-volunteer test platoon had been organized at Ft. Benning, Georgia. As the threat of War continued, the Army began experimenting with gliders in mid-1941. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Army established Parachute Infantry Battalions, and by early 1943 an Airborne Command was organized as well as an Air Transport Command to facilitate the training of air crews necessary for the deployment of airborne forces. By mid-1942 authorization was received to form two airborne divisions the 82nd and the 101st. With a strength of about 8,000 men, these divisions were about half the normal strength of an infantry division. The first major test for Americas new airborne forces came in North Africa during operation TORCH where the 1st Battalion of the 503rd Infantry was deployed. The 82nd Airborne was later successfully deployed during the invasion of Sicily. Operation OVERLORD, the code name for the D-Day invasion, included both of Americas Airborne Divisions as well as the British 6th Airborne Division. The plan called for numerous parachute jumps and glider landings during the evening prior to the invasion. Supplemental jumps or landings would take place later during daylight hours to reinforce these troops and bring in supplies. Although eighteen aircraft were utilized as pathfinders, the evening jumps were highly scattered and off target in many cases. Despite the massive difficulty in reassembling, the troops of the 101st and 82nd performed their missions with distinction. By June 9 nearly all airborne objectives had been secured despite heavy casualties. Both the 101st and the 82nd each lost about 1,200 men killed-in-action. By occupying German forces behind the invasion front, these airborne forces saved the lives of many on the beaches at Normandy. The 101st and 82nd Divisions continued fighting until mid-July when they were pulled back to England. During these hectic weeks of fighting casualty rates were in excess of 50%. As depicted in Stan Stokes painting, which is dedicated to all those who participated in the Great Crusade, a C-47 Skytrain (bearing white and black invasion stripes) passes over the beaches of Normandy following a drop behind enemy lines on June 6, 1944. Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £37.00
Signed limited edition of 225 prints. Size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm). Price £74.00 Signed by Gen Matt Matheson. ITEM CODE STK0107 |
| Arnhem Op Market Garden by Geoff Lea. Douglas C47 Dakotas fly into the landing and drop zone at Renkum Heath, September 17th 1944. Douglas C47 Dakotas fly into the landing and drop zone at Renkum Heath, September 17th 1944. Open edition print. Image size 12 inches x 8 inches (31cm x 20cm). Price £45.00 ITEM CODE VAR0317 |
| Dawn Departure, Arnhem.
Limited edition. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £65.00
Limited edition artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £95.00 ITEM CODE VAR0318 |
| Invasion Force by Nicholas Trudgian
almost every major invasion that took
place in Europe in World War II began with para drops, and in almost
every case the C-47 was the aircraft that delivered these elite fighting
troops. Few C-47 pilots had more combat experience than Sid Harwell,
seen flying his Dakota in this typical action scene, dropping airborne
troops into occupied Europe soon after D-Day. No matter what resistance
he encountered, the good C-47 pilot put his aircraft right over the
Dropping Zone, every time. Signed by Sid Harwell.
Arnhem
- September 17th 1944 by Graeme Lothian Eight minutes after the
gliders had touched down at LZ-Z the first of the paratroops started to
arrive at 1353. Thirty six C47s over DZ-X dropped the 1st
Battalion Parachute Regiment at 1403. On the ground are the
discarded chutes of the 2nd Battalion dropped ten minutes earlier.
In the middle distance can be seen the blue smoke used to identify DZ-X,
left by the 21st Independent Para Company. Dropped by the 14 and
59 Sqn/ 61 Troop Carrier Group which had taken off from Barkston Heath,
Lincolnshire, the 2nd and 3rd Para Battalions, which dropped slightly
earlier had enplaned at Saltby airfield. Between 1353 and 1408
2276 paratroops jumped at an altitude of between 700 to 900ft.
Market
Garden. Arnhem by Graeme Lothian Paratroopers of the 1st
Battalion sort their kit out and get ready to enplane the waiting
American Dakota C-47s of the 14 and 59 Squadrons/61st Troop Carrier
Group. The paratroops took off simultaneously from Saltby and
Barkston, commencing at 1121. All planes were in the air by 1155.
A relatively uneventful trip over the northern route to the Netherlands
resulted in not a plane being shot down; only five were slightly
damaged. The 1st Battalion were dropped at 1403, 2nd Battalion at
1353 and the 3rd Battalion at 1356, all at DZ-X, west of Wolfhezen some
eight miles west of Arnhem. The Battalion orders were for three
different routes to the Arnhem Bridge. 1st Battalion took the
Leopard route, 2nd Battalion Tiger route and the 3rd Battalion Lion
route. Only the 2nd Battalion, commanded by Lt colonel John Frost
managed to fight their way to the bridge.
Ivan Berryman co-signed by a pilot of
271 Squadron As part of Operation Overlord in June 1944, it was necessary to deploy
large numbers of troops quickly and accurately to the fields and bridgeheads
of Northern France. No aircraft was better suited to dropping paratroopers
and their equipment than the ubiquitous Douglas Dakota, these examples
being of No.271 Squadron from Down Ampney near Gloucester.
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