This Sceptred Isle
- COMMEMORATING THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN 1940 -
BY ROBERT TAYLOR

For nearly a thousand years the white cliffs of southern England had taunted many a foreign army. These fortress walls of chalk, however, were defended by the moat-like waters of the Channel and together they had shielded the British from her enemies.
 
Alongside Drake, they had defied the armies of Spain and her great Armada and, in 1805, had halted the march of Napoleon’s Grande Armée. No enemy force since that of William the Conqueror, in 1066, had successfully managed to cross the Channel in anger but, in May 1940, one of the most powerful armies the world had ever seen arrived at Calais.

  
An invasion by Hitler’s all-conquering Wehrmacht was imminent – or so it seemed.
 
To cross the Channel and breach the English defenses, the Luftwaffe simply had to gain control of the skies, and with massively superior numbers the outcome seemed inevitable. The fate of Britain lay in the hands of less than 3,000 young airmen from Fighter Command – Churchill’s ‘Few’.

By July the most famous air battle in history was underway and, over the next three months, under tranquil summer skies, the ‘Few’ battled to defend their Sceptred Isle.
  
Impossibly outnumbered and flying daily to the point of exhaustion, by October these courageous young men had snatched victory and from the jaws of defeat, emerging defiantly victorious. The threat of invasion might be over but a terrible price had been paid – during that long battle for the survival of Britain, 544 had been killed and 422 wounded. Another 814 of those who survived would be killed before the end of the war.
  
It is to the valiant ‘Few’ that Robert Taylor once again pays tribute in this masterful painting portraying a fleeting moment of calm for the pilots of 74 (Tiger) Squadron during the height of the Battle of Britain. With his commanding officer Sailor Malan (ZP-A) to his right, Acting Flight Lieutenant John Freeborn (ZP-C), takes time to reflect on another day of intense combat while passing over the white cliffs and the familiar lighthouse at Beachy Head, as the squadron cross the English coast to head for home.


Overall print size: 24 ¾”wide x 18 ½” high
Image size: 19 ¼” wide x 13“high

AVAILABLE IN THE FOLLOWING EDITIONS:

• Limited Edition: Joining artist Robert Taylor, every print has been personally autographed by two highly regarded RAF veterans who flew in combat during the Battle of Britain - 200 prints ($245)
• Collectors Edition: This memorable FIVE signature edition is additionally signed by three prominent veterans who fought in the Battle of Britain - 125 prints ($345)
• Artist Proof: This historic TEN signature edition is additionally signed by a further FIVE highly distinguished Battle of Britain fighter pilots, including four legendary Aces - 25 prints ($470)
• Veterans Edition: This historic TEN signature edition is additionally signed by a further FIVE highly distinguished Battle of Britain fighter pilots, including four legendary Aces - 40 prints ($595)
• Remarque: This historic TEN signature edition is additionally signed by a further FIVE highly distinguished Battle of Britain fighter pilots, including four legendary Aces - 15 prints ($1,195)
• Double Remarque: This historic TEN signature edition is additionally signed by a further FIVE highly distinguished Battle of Britain fighter pilots, including four legendary Aces - 10 prints ($2,095)
• Tribute Edition: With a total of FIFTEEN signatures, including all the signatories of the Veterans Edition, each print is issued with an exquisite pencil drawing specially created for the occasion by the world’s greatest aviation artist Robert Taylor. Individually signed by three Battle of Britain fighter pilots, each drawing is conservation matted to include the signatures of two legendary RAF Aces - Only 5 prints ($3,595)

Wings is extremely honoured that this edition carries the signatures of veterans that fought during the Battle of Britain, including John Freeborn who is featured in the piece. It is a poignant reminder that a number of these iconic men have sadly passed away since signing, giving enthusiasts the opportunity to add a piece of great historic significance to their collections.

THE LIMITED EDITION

• Wg Cdr TIM ELKINGTON - Pilot on Hurricanes with 1 Sqn / 2 victories
• Flt Lt TERRY CLARK DFM AE - WOp/AG on Blenheims with 219 Sqn / 6 victories

THE COLLECTOR’S EDITION

• Flt Lt ARCHIE McINNES - Pilot on Hurricanes with 610 & 238 Sqn
• Flt Lt WILLIAM ‘BOB’ HUGHES DFC AFC - WOp/AG on Blenheims with 23 Sqn
• C.A.F. JOE RODDIS - Ground Crew on Spitfires with 234 Sqn

THE VETERANS EDITION & REMARQUES

• Gp Capt TOM DALTON-MORGAN DSO DFC* OBE - Pilot on Hurricanes with 43 Sqn / 17 victories
• Wg Cdr JOHN FREEBORN DFC* - Pilot on Spitfires with 74 Sqn / 17 victories
• Sqn Ldr KEN ‘HAWKEYE’ LEE DFC - Pilot on Hurricanes with 501 Sqn / 7 victories
• Wg Cdr WILFRED ‘WILF’ SIZER DFC* - Pilot on Hurricanes with 213 Sqn / 10 victories
• Sqn Ldr MICHAEL WAINWRIGHT AFC - Pilot on Spitfires with 64 Sqn / 2 victories.

THE TRIBUTE EDITION - INCLUDES AN ORIGINAL PENCIL DRAWING AND FIFTEEN SIGNATURES

• Plt Off NORMAN "SNEEZY" BROWN - Pilot on Spitfires with 610 Sqn
• Wg Cdr CHRISTOPHER CURRANT DSO DFC CdeG - Pilot on Hurricanes with 605 Sqn / 12 victories
• Wg Cdr TOM NEIL DFC* AFC - Pilot on Hurricanes with 249 Sqn / 14 victories.

The Matted Signatures

• Wg Cdr GEOFFREY PAGE DSO DFC OBE - Pilot on Hurricanes with 56 Sqn / 12 victories
• Gp Capt PETER TOWNSEND CVO DSO DFC - Pilot on Hurricanes with 43 Sqn / 10 victories

THE TRIBUTE EDITION - INCLUDES AN ORIGINAL PENCIL DRAWING AND FIFTEEN SIGNATURES