HAPPY RETURN by Robert Taylor

HAPPY RETURN
by Robert Taylor

A moving Masterwork graphite edition from Robert Taylor, the world's most widely collected Aviation Artist

The Battle of Britain was long over but by the summer of 1942 the fight back against those Luftwaffe units left to defend northern France remained a bitter struggle. Although the pilots of Fighter Command had stopped the enemy in its tracks, seized the initiative and gone on the offensive the previous year, the skies over the Channel and northern France were anything but safe as the ongoing battle continued.

Completed in his accomplished and unmistakable style, Robert Taylor's beautiful drawing Happy Return recreates a small moment of tranquillity during the early summer of 1942. Returning from a fighter sweep, a section of Spitfires from 602 Squadron, led by top Irish Ace and newly-promoted Wing Commander 'Paddy' Finucane DSO DFC**, pass low over an ancient tidal mill as they return home to RAF Redhill. Although low on fuel after the rigours of their recent yet successful encounter with the Luftwaffe, the weary pilots can at last drop to roof-top height to enjoy the stunning view below.

Although many pilots, like Finucane, honed their skills during the Battle of Britain, the waves of bright, young fighters from across the Commonwealth who came through the ranks in the following years are rightfully remembered in this stunning tribute.

In tribute to this iconic aircraft and the legendary pilots who flew them, each copy has been mounted to full conservation standards to include a set of museum-quality reproduction RAF pilots wings and the ORIGINAL pencil signatures of pilots who flew Spitfires in combat during WWII. They include Aces such as Albert Houle (11 victories), Andy MacKenzie (8 victories), Lorne Cameron (9 victories) and Don Laubman (15 victories).

Only TWENTY FIVE copies are available worldwide!
Approx matted size: 21.25 inches wide x 19.5 inches high
Image size: 15.75 inches wide x 8.75 inches high

Completed back in October 2019 and featured in his latest book, Robert's drawing was faithfully reproduced as a high quality giclée fine art print on textured velvet paper under his direct supervision through his exclusive publisher, The Military Gallery based in Great Britain. Every copy is issued personally signed by Robert, hand titled and embossed with the logo of The Robert Taylor Trust, a body established to preserve Robert's legacy and safeguard the future copyright of his work in years to come.

Each print in this highly restricted 13 signature edition is then mounted to full conservation standards to include the original signatures of pilots who flew the Spitfire in combat during WWII, together with a quality set of reproduction padded RAF pilots wings.

The full list of signatures reads:

Wing Commander LORNE CAMERON DFC
Hurricane and Spitfire Ace with 402 & 401 Squadrons - 6 victories

Wing Commander WALTER CONRAD DFC
Hurricane and Spitfire Ace with 274, 402, 403 & 421 Squadrons - 9 victories

Squadron Leader FREDERICK EVANS DFC
Spitfire pilot with 421 Squadron - 1 victory

Squadron Leader HARTLAND FINLEY DFC
Spitfire pilot with 416, 403 & 443 Squadrons - 3 victories

Group Captain ALBERT HOULE DFC*
Hurricane and Spitfire Ace with 213, 145 & 417 Squadrons - 11 victories

Lieutenant General DON LAUBMAN DFC* AOE CD
Spitfire Ace with 133, 412 & 402 Squadrons - 15 victories

Squadron Leader JOSEPH LEVESQUE DFC
Hurricane and Spitfire pilot with 401 Squadron - 4 victories

Wing Commander ANDY MACKENZIE DFC CD
Spitfire Ace with 421 & 403 Squadrons - 8 victories

Wing Commander ROBERT MIDDLEMISS DFC CD
Spitfire pilot with 145, 41, 249 Squadron & 403 Squadrons - 3 victories

Flight Lieutenant JACKIE RAE DFC
Spitfire pilot with 416 Squadron - 3 victories

Flight Lieutenant LARRY ROBILLARD DFM CD
Spitfire Ace with 145, 72, 402 & 443 Squadrons - 7 victories

Wing Commander BLAIR RUSSEL DSO DFC*
Hurricane and Spitfire pilot with 1, 118, 14, 402, 416, 411 & 442 Squadrons - 4.5 victories

Squadron Leader ARTHUR SAGER DFC
Spitfire pilot with 421, 416, 403 & 443 Squadrons - 4.75 victories