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Aviation
art prints showing Johnnie Johnson, one of the lal time great british
Battle of Britian Pilots. depicted in aviation Art prints by Graeme Lothian and Michael Turner,Robert
taylor, Nicolas trudgian and many other well known aviaiton artists.
. Johnnie
Johnson
joined 92 Spitfire squadron in August 1940, but it was with 616 squadron
that he scored his first victory on June 26th 1941 while flying with
Douglas Baders Tangmere Wing. He was squadron leader of 610 squadron in
July 1942, but it was as Wing Commander of the Kenley Wing in 1943 that
his scores really started to mount. He was W/C of 144 wing during D-Day
and led 127 and 125 wings until the end of the war when we has the
topscoring allied fighter pilot with 38 air victories. Inspired by the
great British WW 1 aces like Bishop and Ball, Johnnie Johnson dreamed
often as a child of becoming an R.A.F. pilot. The young Johnson
enthusiastically joined the Volunteer Reserve at the first opportunity.
After completing his initial flight training Johnson was posted to 616
Squadron at Kenley. However, this Squadron had been hit hard with the loss
of six pilots and five wounded, and the unit was withdrawn to Coltishall
prior to Johnson encountering combat. With only 12 hours of flight time in
a Spitfire this was no doubt advantageous. In February 1941 Billy Burton
moved the Squadron to Tangmere. Douglas Bader then arrived to take over
the Tangmere Wing, and fly with the 616 Squadron. Johnnie, Alan Smith and
"Cocky" Dundas were chosen to fly with Bader. During the summer
of 1941 the Battle of Britain was at its peak. Bader took the time to
instruct Johnson carefully in both the art of flying and the skills
necessary to attain success in^ aerial combat. Bader's idea of an
afternoon off duty, according to Johnson, was to take his section over the
Channel in hopes of running into Adolph Galland and his Abbeyville Boys.
On August 19, 1941 Bader failed to return from a mission when 616 Squadron
was hit hard by a group of Messersmit 109's. Johnson flew on in Bader's
absence, and in the summer of 1942 he was promoted to command of the 610
Squadron. In 1943 he was promoted again to Wing Commander of the Canadian
Spitfire Wing in Kenley. By that time Johnson had attained eight confirmed
victories. During the spring and summer of 1943 Johnnie led the Canadian
unit on more than 140 missions over Northwest Europe. Johnson's squadron
attained more than 100 victories during this period, and Johnnie's own
personal score rose to 25. After a short leave, Johnson was posted to lead
the 144 Canadian Spitfire Wing. On D-Day Johnson led his Wing on four
missions in support of the Allied invasion. On June 8, Johnson's Wing was
the first Spitfire group to land in newly liberated France. Johnson
continued fighting in France through September 1944 when he achieved his
38th and final victory. Patrolling the Rhine Johnson's unit jumped nine
109's which were flying beneath them in the opposite direction. Five of
the 109's were downed. Early in 1945 Johnson was promoted to Group Captain
and put in command of the 125 Wing, which was equipped with the Spitfire
XIV. Flying from former Luftwaffe airfields the 125 Wing assisted in the
final Allied push to Berlin. Johnson attributed much of his aerial combat
success to his ability to make tight turning maneuvers. Johnson's tightest
call came on August 19, 1942 when he was unable to dislodge an Me-109 from
his tail during the raid on Diepppe. Johnson raced his Spitfire flat out
at a group of Royal Navy ships. The usual barrage of flak and tracer fire
came right at him, and fortunately for the ace, missed his Spitfire but
effectively eliminated the brave pilot on his tail. During the Korean War
Johnson flew fighter-bombers with the USAF. Following his retirement from
the R.A.F. in 1966 Johnson founded the Johnnie Johnson Housing Trust that
has provided homes for more than 4000 disabled and elderly persons, and
his sixth book Winged Victory was published in 1995. Johnson flew many of
the Spitfire models. His favorite was the beautiful Mark IX, "the
best of them all." Johnnie passed away in 2001 at the age of 85, in
Derbyshire, England.
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| Ramrod by Robert Taylor During operation Ramrod 792 on April 25, 1944, leading his Spitfire wing, Johnnie Johnson had a long-running combat with an FW190. Robert Taylor shows the last moments of the duel which ended in victory for the Allied Air Forces leading fighter Ace. Signed limited edition of 1500 prints. Paper size 24 inches x 20 inches (61cm x 51cm). Price £80.00 Signed by Air Vice Marshal Johnnie Johnson CB, CBE, DSO**, DFC*.
Signed limited edition of 200 prints. Paper size 24 inches x 20 inches (61cm x 51cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Air Vice Marshal Johnnie Johnson CB, CBE, DSO**, DFC*, Group Captain Tom Dalton Morgan DSO, DFC*, OBE, Squadron Leader Jocelyn G P Millard, Vivian Snell and Flight Lieutenant Richard L Jones. ITEM CODE DHM2095 |
| Fighter Legend - Johnnie Johnson by Nicolas Trudgian.
Signed limited edition of 1500 prints. Special Promotion : This print is half price for a limited time only! Paper size 17 inches x 23 inches (43cm x 51cm). Price £57.00 Signed by Air Vice Marshal Johnnie Johnson CB, CBE, DSO**, DFC* ITEM CODE DHM2114 |
| Canadian Wing by Robert Taylor Spitfires of Johnsons Canadian Wing, complete with Normandy Invasion markings, making a sweep above the Normandy beaches on the 6th June, 1944 - D-Day. Johnson and his Canadian pilots flew sweeps on this day from dawn till dusk, limited most of the day to 2000 ft. by the cloudbase. Signed limited edition of 1500 prints. Paper size 24 inches x 20 inches (61cm x 51cm). Price £150.00 Signed by Air Vice Marshal Johnnie Johnson CB, CBE, DSO**, DFC*. ITEM CODE DHM2126 |
| Greycap Leader by Robert Taylor. Leading 433 (Canadian) Squadron, top Allied Fighter Ace Johnnie Johnson -Greycap Leader - has already bagged an Fw190, and is hauling his MKIX Spitfire around looking for a second in heavy dog-fighting over the Rhine, September 1944. In the distance more enemy fighters appear, they too will receive the attention of the Canadians. Signed limited edition of 850 prints. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm). Price £200.00 Signed by Squadron Leader Danny Browne, Wing Commander J F Stocky Edwards, Squadron Leader Hartland Finlay, Wing Commander Hugh Godefroy, Air Vice Marshal Johnnie Johnson CB, CBE, DSO**, DFC*, Lieutenant General Don Laubman, Wing Commander Andy Mackenzie, Wing Commander Robert G Middlemiss, Flight Lieutenant Larry Robillard and Wing Commander Roderick Smith.
Limited edition of artist proofs. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm). Price £325.00 Signed by Squadron Leader Danny Browne, Wing Commander J F Stocky Edwards, Squadron Leader Hartland Finlay, Wing Commander Hugh Godefroy, Air Vice Marshal Johnnie Johnson CB, CBE, DSO**, DFC*, Lieutenant General Don Laubman, Wing Commander Andy Mackenzie, Wing Commander Robert G Middlemiss, Flight Lieutenant Larry Robillard and Wing Commander Roderick Smith. ITEM CODE DHM2151 |
| Foes Now Friends by Alan S Holt Symbolically Johnnie Johnsons Spitfire Mk9 flies with Adolf Gallands ME109E on the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The two top scoring fighter aces represent all the pilots of the Allies and the Luftwaffe who fought against each other in WW2. Signed limited edition of 300 prints. Image size 22 inches x 14 inches (56cm x 38cm) . Price £95.00 Signed by Air Vice Marshal Johnnie Johnson CB, CBE, DSO**, DFC* and the artist Alan S Holt, also a WW2 fighter pilot.
Galland Presentation Edition of 5 Limited Edition Prints, supplied double matted. Image size 22 inches x 14 inches (56cm x 38cm). Price £280.00 Features the mounted original signature of General Adolf Galland, and is signed by Air Vice Marshal Johnnie Johnson CB, CBE, DSO**, DFC* and the artist Alan S Holt, also a WW2 fighter pilot. ITEM CODE DHM2285 |
| Normandy Fighter Sweep by Nicolas Trudgian. Johnnie Johnson leads his Canadian Wing Spitfires over the Normandy beaches on D-Day, 1944. Limited edition of 2500 prints. Print size 16 inches x 13 inches (41cm x 33cm). Price £75.00 Signed by Air Vice-Marshall Johnnie Johnson. ITEM CODE DHM2447 |
| The Longest Day by Adrian Rigby. Published to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings on 6th June, depicting Spitfires of 44 Squadron led by Johnnie Johnson. Signed limited edition of 250 prints. Image size 24 inches x 13 inches (61cm x 33cm). Price £165.00 Signed by Wing Commander Paddy Barthropp and Flying Officer Ken Wilkinson. ITEM CODE DHM2491 |
| Canadian Heroes by Stan Stokes. James Edgar (Johnnie) Johnson was the Royal Air Forces top fighter ace in Europe with 38 confirmed victories during the War. Johnson was called up in 1939 following his training with the RAF Volunteer Reserve. Having been hospitalized for much of the Battle of Britain, Johnsons first serious action was in mid-1941 when he often flew with Douglas Baders section. Johnson was promoted quickly and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross following his fifth victory in 1941. In early 1943 Johnson was put in command of a wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Flying the high-performance Supermarine Spitfire Mark IX, Johnson achieved 18 victories in seven months of flying. Many of Johnsons victories were achieved against the Messersmitt Bf-109. Promoted to Group Captain in early 1945, Johnson was put in command of the 125 Wing for the duration of the War. The Supermarine Spitfire is the only Allied fighter to have been continuously produced from before 1939 to after 1945. In total more than 22,000 of these splendid aircraft were built. The chief designer of the Spitfire was R.J. Mitchell, a brilliant engineer who joined the Supermarine company in 1916, and by 1920 was its chief engineer. Mitchell fashioned a number of high performance maritime aircraft, culminating with the sleek S series of float planes. This is the float plane which ultimately won permanent possession of the coveted Schneider Trophy for Britain, and established a new world speed record in excess of 400 MPH in 1931. In that same year the Air Ministry issued a specification for a new high-performance day/night fighter. Mitchells design, the Type 224, lost out in the competition to the Gloster Gladiator biplane. In 1936 the new Rolls Royce Merlin engine was fitted to a prototype 224, and the Spitfire was born. Achieving a speed of 396 MPH, the RAF was impressed, and initial orders for the first Spitfires were placed. Sadly, R.J. Mitchell succumbed to cancer in 1937 at the age of only 42. With the onset of the War, Spitfire production soared, and the aircraft was steadily improved. The Mark IX, as depicted in Stan Stokes painting entitled Canadian Heroes, first entered service in July 1942. The Mark IX was identifiable because of its four-bladed prop and its twin radiators. Introduced partially in response to Germanys introduction of the Focke Wolfe FW 190, the Mark IX was produced in greater numbers (5,665) than any other particular Spitfire model. As depicted in Stokes painting Johnnie Johnson has just attained another victory over a Bf-109 while flying with the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1944. The painting is dedicated to the many Canadians which served with the RAF during the War. 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 £135.00 Signed by Johnnie Johnson. ITEM CODE STK0113 |
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COMBAT OVER NORMANDY BY GRAEME LOTHIAN Spitfires of R.C.A.F 144 Wing led by Wing Commander Johnson in combat
with ME109's of JG3 over Arromanches, France June 1944. with
three signatures of British RAF fighter Pilots Wing Commnder Geoffrey page D.F.O D.F.C
Wing Commander flying 125 Wing
Canadian Heroes by Stan Stokes.James
Edgar (Johnnie) Johnson was the Royal Air Forces top fighter ace in
Europe with 38 confirmed victories during the War. Johnson was called up
in 1939 following his training with the RAF Volunteer Reserve. Having
been hospitalized for much of the Battle of Britain, Johnsons first
serious action was in mid-1941 when he often flew with Douglas Baders
section. Johnson was promoted quickly and was awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross following his fifth victory in 1941. In early 1943 Johnson
was put in command of a wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Flying the
high-performance Supermarine Spitfire Mark IX, Johnson achieved 18
victories in seven months of flying. Many of Johnsons victories were
achieved against the Messersmitt Bf-109. Promoted to Group Captain in
early 1945, Johnson was put in command of the 125 Wing for the duration
of the War. The Supermarine Spitfire is the only Allied fighter to have
been continuously produced from before 1939 to after 1945. In total more
than 22,000 of these splendid aircraft were built. The chief designer of
the Spitfire was R.J. Mitchell, a brilliant engineer who joined the
Supermarine company in 1916, and by 1920 was its chief engineer.
Mitchell fashioned a number of high performance maritime aircraft,
culminating with the sleek S series of float planes. This is the float
plane which ultimately won permanent possession of the coveted Schneider
Trophy for Britain, and established a new world speed record in excess
of 400 MPH in 1931. In that same year the Air Ministry issued a
specification for a new high-performance day/night fighter. Mitchells
design, the Type 224, lost out in the competition to the Gloster
Gladiator biplane. In 1936 the new Rolls Royce Merlin engine was fitted
to a prototype 224, and the Spitfire was born. Achieving a speed of 396
MPH, the RAF was impressed, and initial orders for the first Spitfires
were placed. Sadly, R.J. Mitchell succumbed to cancer in 1937 at the age
of only 42. With the onset of the War, Spitfire production soared, and
the aircraft was steadily improved. The Mark IX, as depicted in Stan
Stokes painting entitled Canadian
Heroes, first entered service in July 1942. The Mark IX was
identifiable because of its four-bladed prop and its twin radiators.
Introduced partially in response to Germanys introduction of the Focke
Wolfe FW 190, the Mark IX was produced in greater numbers (5,665) than
any other particular Spitfire model. As depicted in Stokes painting
Johnnie Johnson has just attained another victory over a Bf-109 while
flying with the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1944. The painting is
dedicated to the many Canadians which served with the RAF during the
War.
High in the Sunlit Silence by Michael Rondot Each print is signed by Air Vice-Marshal J E Johnnie Johnson CB CBE DSO
DFC. One of the most successful pilots of World War Two, he ended the war
with 38 confirmed victories in the air, all of them in Spitfires.
Ramrod by Robert Taylor Flying his Spitfire,
Allied's top fighter Ace brings down an Fw190 over Laon, 1944.
FIGHTING LADY BY GRAEME LOTHIAN A solo Spitfire on patrol off the coast of Dover during the Battle of
Britain,
Final Encounter (Spitfire v Messerchmitt) by Michael
Turner Also signed by four top scoring pilots of the RAF and Luftwaffe
including Air Vice Marshal "Johnnie" Johnson and General
Günther Rall
RANGER BY GRAEME LOTHIAN Before D-Day allied fighters ranged far and wide across the North of
Europe. Signed Limited edition of 1,000 prints. Signed by the artist
and Commander Johnnie Johnson.
Combat over the Pas de
Calais by Simon Smith Johnnie Johnson's Spitfire Vb, 21st September 1941
The Battle for the Skies Over Dieppe,
19th August 1942 by Graeme Lothian A large umbrella of Spitfire Wings
covered most of the sky over Dieppe during the Allied attack
"Operation Jubilee" on 19th August 1942. Squadron leader
Johnnie Johnson leads 610 (County of Chester) Squadron down from top
cover support to lend a hand to Spitfires of 485 Squadron (New Zealand)
and 411 Squadron (Canadian) which made up the 12 Group Wing, led by W/C
Pat Jameson. The enemy being made up of a huge mixed force of Fw190 and
Me109 fighters from JG2 and JG26. 12 Group Wing flew four times that
disastrous day and in the end the Royal Air Force lost 106 aircraft
compared to the Luftwaffe losses of 48. |
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