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Hawker Tempest of Wing Commander
Roland Beamont in aviation art print available from Cranston Fine Arts.
The Hawker Tempest was used in the destruction of V1 bombs and the
greatest Royal Air Force pilot in this duty was Wing Commander Beamont.
The Hawker Tempest was a much improved
development of the Typhoon and first flew in June 1943. and started service
with the RAF in April 1944. mainly serving in the attack role in Europe
against ground targets including the V1 Flying Bomb installations. It
remained in service after the war until 1949 when it was eventually
replaced by the Jet Aircraft. but continued for another 4 years in the
Indian and Pakistan air forces. In total no less than 1395 Hawker
Tempests were built. Speed: 426mph at 18,500 feet,
Crew One. Range 800 miles. Armament: Four 20mm Hispano cannons
mounted in the wings and a bomb payload of upto 2,000 lbs.
Temptest Pilot. Wing Commander Roland Bee Beamont CBE
DSO DFC DL One of World War II's great characters, Bee
flew Hurricanes with 87 Squadron, later leading a Tempest Wing. He had 8
victories plus a further 32 VIs destroyed. After the war he became a
highly respected Chief Test Pilot. Wing Commander Roland Beamont, one of
the RAF's top buzz bomb interceptors, was born in Enfield England on
August 10, 1920. Educated at Eastborne College, Beamont accepted a short
service commission with the Royal Air Force in 1938. He commenced flying
in 1939 at the the No. 13 Reserve Flying School at White Waltham. His
initial duty was with the Group Fighter Pool at St. Athan where he learned
to fly the Hurricane. Beamont was soon posted with the No. 87 Squadron
which was part of the Advanced Air Striking Force in France. Seeing action
in both France and Belgium prior to the Allied withdrawl, Beamont rejoined
87 Squadron in England during the Battle of Britain. In the spring of 1941
Beamont was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross after destroying five
enemy aircraft. As Commanding Officer of 609 Squadron, Beamont pioneered
both day and night ground attack missions utilizing the Typhoon. Beamont
was credited with destroying 25 trains in a three month period. He was
then made responsible for organizing and commanding the first Tempest Wing
at Newchurch. Three days after D-Day Bearnont shot down an Me-109, marking
the first aerial combat victory for the Hawker Tempest. In the summer of
1944 Beamont destroyed 32 buzz bombs prior to leading his wing to a Dutch
Airfield at Volkel on the Continent. In October of 1944 Beamont was shot
down during a ground attack mission over Germany, and he remained a
prisoner of war until war's end. Following repatriation Beamont became an
experimental test pilot with the Gloster Aircraft Company, which had
developed the RAF's first jet aircraft. Turning down a permanent
commission with the RAF, Beamont then joined English Electric Company in
Wharton as the Chief Test Pilot for the B3/45 (Canberra) jet bomber
program. He managed all prototype testing on the Canberra, and in the
process set two Atlantic speed records. Later Beamont was involved with
the supersonic P1/Lightning program, and became the first British pilot to
fly at twice the speed of sound. From 1965 until 1970 he was a founding
member of Britain's highly succesful Saudi Arabian export program. For
several years prior to his retirement in 1979, Beamont was Director of
Operations for British Aerospace and Panavia where he was in charge of
flight testing for the Tornado. Since his retirement Beamont has authored
nine books, and published numerous magazine articles. He is a Fellow of
the Royal Aeronautical Scociety and an Honorary Fellow of the Society of
Experimental Test Pilots in America
Overturning the Odds by Keith Woodcock With all his ammunition spent on other interceptions, Wing Commander
Beamont in his Hawker Tempest MKV tips a German flying VI bomb to its
destruction with his wingtip during the summer of 1944. Signed by artist and Wg CDR Roland
Beamont.
A Buzz for Beaumont by David Pentland Wing Commander Roland Beaumont in his personal Tempest V, intercepted
and downed his first V1 "Buzzbomb" on the night of June 22nd,
1944, over south east England. As Commander of 150 wing and others he
went on to shoot down a total of 30 V1 flying bombs, 8 enemy aircraft
and 35 locomotives destroyed (plus one minesweeper sunk).
Lull Before the Storm by Keith Aspinall Hawker Tempest fighter.
of Wing Commander Roland Beaumont DSO and Bar DFC and Bar, June 1944
The Exterminator by Stan Stokes. By
mid-1941 it was clear that Hitlers plans to invade Britain were in
disarray. The RAF had fought the Luftwaffe to a standoff, and many of
Germanys top pilots had been killed or captured. Not willing to admit
defeat in his campaign against Britain, Hitler approved the development
of a pilotless terror weapon, the VF-1 Vergeltungswaffe (retaliation
weapon). Designed by the Feiseler Company, the small pilotless Fi-103
was at times referred to in Britain as the doodlebug, buzz bomb, or
farting fury. These flying bombs were inexpensive to build and were
capable of carrying an 1870-pound warhead. The Fi-103
was powered by a ram-jet engine, and utilized three air driven
gyroscopes to orient the aircraft. A rudimentary pre-set propeller
device was utilized to determine when the VF-1 would land. Lacking the
accuracy necessary to make it an effective weapon against military
targets these doodlebugs were primarily targeted at large population
centers. Therefore, they were primarily used as civilian terror weapons,
and the RAF was given the assignment of providing the defense against
these terror weapons. Early testing revealed many problems with the
VF-1, and it was not until March 1944 that most of these problems had
been worked out. The final VF-1 production models were capable of speeds
in excess of 400 MPH . The high speed of the VF-1, coupled with its
small size and large warhead, made it difficult for the RAF to shoot
down these doodlebugs. The doodlebug had strong sheet steel skin which
deflected machine gunfire, making it necessary to utilize cannon fire.
Cannons had more than twice the range of machine guns, but the attacking
fighters had to get in close to hit these small, fast targets. If the
pilot got in too close the explosion of the VF-1s heavy warhead often
disabled the attacking fighter. An alternative was to deflect the
doodlebug by maneuvering alongside it, and then by executing a gentle
banking maneuver, flip the VF-1, and disrupt its gyros. Generally, this
caused the doodlebug to crash in an unpopulated area with little damage.
Less than 10% of the buzz bombs were destroyed in this manner, and this
technique was only utilized when the pilot had depleted his ammunition.
One of the top buzz-bomb exterminators was Wing Commander Roland Beamont
who destroyed 32 doodlebugs during his tour of duty. He flew the Tempest
V with 150 Wing, which he commanded. The three squadrons of 150 Wing
were credited with destroying 630 buzz bombs between June and August of
1944. The Hawker Tempest was the fastest interceptor available, and
provided its pilots a highly stable platform for its four 20mm cannon.
The Meteor, the RAFs first jet, was utilized briefly as a buzz bomb
interceptor, but with only nine kills, it was withdrawn as being
unsuitable for this purpose. As depicted in Stan Stokes painting
appropriately entitled The Exterminator, Wing Commander Beamont is
depicted flying his Tempest V through the debris created by a successful
hit on a buzz bomb in July, 1944. The action takes place southeast of
London over the tranquil English countryside.
Aircraft side view by M A Kinnear Hawker Tempest Mk V JN751 R-B.
Aircraft History: JN751
was built at Hawker's Langley factory and delivered to No. 20 MU at Aston
Down 20th February 1944. Delivered to No.486 (NZ) Squadron initially, and
subsequently received by No.3 Squadron, it became the personal aircraft of
Wing Commander R P Beamont. On 8th June 1944, it became the first Tempest
to shoot down and enemy aircraft (Bf109G-6, JN751 was hit in the starboard
wing by a cannon shell in this combat), and during June/August it shot
down over 30 V-1 flying bombs. On 1st September, following an engine
failure on take-off, JN751 made a forced landing at Langley. Repaired 2nd
September, Wing Commander Beamont collected the aircraft from Langley on
5th September and returned to Newchurch - this was his last flight in
JN751. Returned to No.20 MU on 3rd October 1944, it was delivered to
No.287 Squadron at Hornchurch on anti aircraft co-operation duties. On
18th May 1945, whilst trying to avoid a fog bank JN751 crashed on the Isle
of Sheppey, killing the pilot, Flight Sergeant P.C.A. Redstone.Wing
Commander Roland P Beamont, CBE, DSO and bar, DFC and bar, DFC (USA), DL:
Born
on 10th August 1920, Roland Beamont joined No87. Squadron in France during
November 1939. Returning to England 20th May 1940 (having destroyed a Do17
and an Me109) he went on to destroy a further three enemy aircraft during
the Battle of Britain. In June 1941 he was posted to No79 Squadron as a
Flight Commander. In December 1941, he went to Hawker Aircraft Limited as
a Service test pilot flying Hurricanes. On 29th June 1942, he was posted
as Flight Commander to Hawker Typhoon equipped No.609 (WR) squadron at
Duxford, and took command of the squadron in October. He returned to
Hawker Aircraft during May 1943, to test fly the Tempest. In February
1944, he was tasked with forming the first Tempest Wing, No.150 at Castle
Camps and later Newchurch. When leader of the five squadron Tempest Wing
No.122 over Germany on 12th October 1944, Roland Beamont was shot down by
ground fire, and became a POW. During his time with No's 150 and 122 Wings
he destroyed one Bf109, one Fw190, one Ju88 on the ground and thirty two
V1 flying bombs. After the war Roland Beamont became Chief Test Pilot for
English Electric, test flying the Canberra, P1, Lightning and TSR2
aircraft. He was the first British pilot to fly a British aircraft at Mach
1 in level flight, and later at Mach 2. After serving as Director of
Flight operations for the Tornado test programme he retired and became a
respected author. |
| Hawker Tempest Mk V JN751 R-B. by M A Kinnear. Aircraft History: JN751 was built at Hawkers Langley factory and delivered to No. 20 MU at Aston Down 20th February 1944. Delivered to No.486 (NZ) Squadron initially, and subsequently received by No.3 Squadron, it became the personal aircraft of Wing Commander R P Beamont. On 8th June 1944, it became the first Tempest to shoot down and enemy aircraft (Bf109G-6, JN751 was hit in the starboard wing by a cannon shell in this combat) and during June/August it shot down over 30 V-1 flying bombs. On 1st September, following an engine failure on take-off, JN751 made a forced landing at Langley. Repaired 2nd September, Wing Commander Beamont collected the aircraft from Langley on 5th September and returned to Newchurch - this was his last flight in JN751. Returned to No.20 MU on 3rd October 1944, it was delivered to No.287 Squadron at Hornchurch on anti aircraft co-operation duties. On 18th May 1945, whilst trying to avoid a fog bank JN751 crashed on the Isle of Sheppey, killing the pilot, Flight Sergeant P.C.A. Redstone.
Wing Commander Roland P Beamont, CBE, DSO and bar, DFC and bar, DFC (USA), DL: Born on 10th August 1920, Roland Beamont joined No87. Squadron in France during November 1939. Returning to England 20th May 1940 (having destroyed a Do17 and an Me109) he went on to destroy a further three enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain. In June 1941 he was posted to No79 Squadron as a Flight Commander. In December 1941, he went to Hawker Aircraft Limited as a Service test pilot flying Hurricanes. On 29th June 1942, he was posted as Flight Commander to Hawker Typhoon equipped No.609 (WR) squadron at Duxford, and took command of the squadron in October. He returned to Hawker Aircraft during May 1943, to test fly the Tempest. In February 1944, he was tasked with forming the first Tempest Wing, No.150 at Castle Camps and later Newchurch. When leader of the five squadron Tempest Wing No.122 over Germany on 12th October 1944, Roland Beamont was shot down by ground fire, and became a POW. During his time with Nos 150 and 122 Wings he destroyed one Bf109, one Fw190, one Ju88 on the ground and thirty two V1 flying bombs. After the war Roland Beamont became Chief Test Pilot for English Electric, test flying the Canberra, P1, Lightning and TSR2 aircraft. He was the first British pilot to fly a British aircraft at Mach 1 in level flight, and later at Mach 2. After serving as Director of Flight operations for the Tornado test programme he retired and became a respected author. Open edition print. Image size 16.5 inches x 11.5 inches (42cm x 30cm). Price £14.00  Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
ITEM CODE AP0020 |
| Lull Before the Storm by Keith Aspinall. The Tempest of Wing Commander Roland Beamont DSO and Bar DFC and Bar, June 1944. Open edition print. Image size 14.5 inches x 9.5 inches (37cm x 24cm). Price £16.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
ITEM CODE KA0014 |
| The Exterminator by Stan Stokes. By mid-1941 it was clear that Hitlers plans to invade Britain were in disarray. The RAF had fought the Luftwaffe to a standoff, and many of Germanys top pilots had been killed or captured. Not willing to admit defeat in his campaign against Britain, Hitler approved the development of a pilotless terror weapon, the VF-1 Vergeltungswaffe (retaliation weapon). Designed by the Feiseler Company, the small pilotless Fi-103 was at times referred to in Britain as the doodlebug, buzz bomb, or farting fury. These flying bombs were inexpensive to build and were capable of carrying an 1870-pound warhead. The Fi-103 was powered by a ram-jet engine, and utilized three air driven gyroscopes to orient the aircraft. A rudimentary pre-set propeller device was utilized to determine when the VF-1 would land. Lacking the accuracy necessary to make it an effective weapon against military targets these doodlebugs were primarily targeted at large population centers. Therefore, they were primarily used as civilian terror weapons, and the RAF was given the assignment of providing the defense against these terror weapons. Early testing revealed many problems with the VF-1, and it was not until March 1944 that most of these problems had been worked out. The final VF-1 production models were capable of speeds in excess of 400 MPH . The high speed of the VF-1, coupled with its small size and large warhead, made it difficult for the RAF to shoot down these doodlebugs. The doodlebug had strong sheet steel skin which deflected machine gunfire, making it necessary to utilize cannon fire. Cannons had more than twice the range of machine guns, but the attacking fighters had to get in close to hit these small, fast targets. If the pilot got in too close the explosion of the VF-1s heavy warhead often disabled the attacking fighter. An alternative was to deflect the doodlebug by maneuvering alongside it, and then by executing a gentle banking maneuver, flip the VF-1, and disrupt its gyros. Generally, this caused the doodlebug to crash in an unpopulated area with little damage. Less than 10% of the buzz bombs were destroyed in this manner, and this technique was only utilized when the pilot had depleted his ammunition. One of the top buzz-bomb exterminators was Wing Commander Roland Beamont who destroyed 32 doodlebugs during his tour of duty. He flew the Tempest V with 150 Wing, which he commanded. The three squadrons of 150 Wing were credited with destroying 630 buzz bombs between June and August of 1944. The Hawker Tempest was the fastest interceptor available, and provided its pilots a highly stable platform for its four 20mm cannon. The Meteor, the RAFs first jet, was utilized briefly as a buzz bomb interceptor, but with only nine kills, it was withdrawn as being unsuitable for this purpose. As depicted in Stan Stokes painting appropriately entitled The Exterminator, Wing Commander Beamont is depicted flying his Tempest V through the debris created by a successful hit on a buzz bomb in July, 1944. The action takes place southeast of London over the tranquil English countryside. 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 £40.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Signed limited edition of 225 prints. Size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm). Price £94.00 Signed by RAF Wing Commander, Roland Beamont (deceased). Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £484.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £294.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
ITEM CODE STK0136 |
| Raging Tempest by Ivan Berryman. Developed from the hawker Typhoon, the first hawker Tempest MkV took to the air during September 1942 and immediately showed great promise as a most versatile aircraft. During the build up to Overlord in 1944, tempests raged across northern France softening up the enemy defenses and blocking or destroying arterial supply routes. This Hawker Tempest V is engaged in knocking out a German train as part of Roland Beamonts No.3 Squadron operations prior to D - Day. Signed limited edition of 250 prints. Image size 17 inches x 10 inches (43cm x 25cm). Price £
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs, printed on high quality German etching stock. Image size 17 inches x 10 inches (43cm x 25cm). Price £135.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Lincoln, Kneen signature edition of 45 prints from the limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 17 inches x 10 inches (43cm x 25cm). Price £160.00 Signed by Warrant Officer John Abe Lincoln and Flying Officer Kenneth Junior Kneen. Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
ITEM CODE B0007 |
| A Buzz for Beamont by David Pentland. Wing Commander Roland Beamont in his personal Tempest V, intercepted and downed his first V1 Buzzbomb on the night of June 22nd, 1944, over south east England. As Commander of 150 wing and others he went on to shoot down a total of 30 V1 flying bombs, 8 enemy aircraft and 35 locomotives destroyed plus one minesweeper sunk. Signed limited edition of 1000 prints. Image size 17 inches x 12 inches (43cm x 31cm). Price £51.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Save £5 on selected prints - Was £56
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 17 inches x 12 inches (43cm x 31cm). Price £95.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Beamont Presentation Edition of 1 Artist Proof, supplied double matted. Image size 17 inches x 12 inches (43cm x 31cm). Price £250.00 Features the mounted original signature of Wing Commander Roland Bee Beamont CBE DSO DFC DL (deceased).
Taussig / Hodges signature edition of 300 prints from the signed limited edition of 1000 prints. Image size 17 inches x 12 inches (43cm x 31cm). Price £145.00 Signed by Flying Officer Kurt Taussig and Warrant Officer Jack Hodges DFC. Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 36 inches x 24 inches (91.5cm x 61cm). Price £480.00 £110 Off Selected Giclee Canvas Prints - Was £590
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £370.00 £90 Off Selected Giclee Canvas Prints - Was £460
Original painting by David Pentland. Image size 36 inches x 24 inches (91.5cm x 61cm). Price £2600.00
Postcard size 6 inches x 4 inches (15cm x 10cm). Price £2.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
**Signed limited edition of 1000 prints. (2 copies reduced to clear) Image size 17 inches x 12 inches (43cm x 31cm). Price £40.00 ITEM CODE DHM0577 |
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