The Dambusters "The Impossible Mission" by Robert Taylor - Autographed by Dambusters - Signed x8 - THE COLLECTORS EDITION

Long sold out, and very sought after, this is our opinion is the most spectacular Dam Busters print, and rarely comes available on the used market today.
This Collections Edition is signed by 7 Dambusters aircrew. 617 Squadron was the famous Dambuster squadron led by Sir Guy Gibson on the dam raids in WWII.

Squadron Leader Henry Melvin "Dinghy" Young DFC, flying Lancaster AJ-A, heading through flak and machine gun fire flies towards the Mohne Dam at precisely 60ft
having just released his bouncing bomb. The mighty Mohne Dam has but moments to live.

In this powerful and dramatic painting Robert Taylor takes us to the heart of the action with breathtaking clarity as he portrays one of the most daring raids of WWII.
Published in 2006, this stunning piece has become one of the most sought after prints in Robert Taylor?s extensive portfolio.
Original Print Size: 36" wide x 21" high. (removed carefully from frame / not mint but excellent / unmarked)
The print is individually hand numbered and personally signed by the artist and two iconic veterans who flew on the historic Dambuster raid:

Sergeant RAY GRAYSTON RAF
Ray Grayston was the Flight Engineer on Lancaster AJ-N piloted by Les Knight, that successfully breached the Eder Dam. A few months later he shot down and became a PoW

Squadron Leader GEORGE JOHNSON MBE DFM
George Johnson was the Bomb Aimer on Joe McCarthy?s Lancaster AJ-T which attacked the Sorpe Dam. It took ten attempts before George could finally release their bomb, scoring a direct hit.
Johnson is the last surviving original member of No. 617 Squadron RAF and of Operation Chastise, the "Dambusters" raid of 1943.

THE COLLECTORS EDITION This SEVEN signature edition is additionally signed by:
Squadron Leader LES MUNRO DSO DFC RNZAF
New Zealander Les Munro was the Captain and pilot of Lancaster AJ- W assigned to attack the Sorpe Dam, but was forced to turn back en-route to the target after heavy
flak-damage over Holland had rendered his aircraft unable to carry on with the opera?tion.

Sergeant FREDERICK E. SUTHERLAND RCAF
'Doc' Sutherland was the front gunner on Les Knight's Lancaster AJ-N that went to the Mohne Dam, and then successfully attacked and breached the Eder Dam.
Shot down four months later, he managed to evade capture and escape back to England with the help of the Resistance movements, returning through Holland, France and Spain.

Flight Sergeant GRANT S. McDONALD RCAF
Grant McDonald was the rear gunner on Lancaster AJ-F flown by Ken Brown. On the way to the Ruhr, the gunners shot up and damaged three trains in an eventful trip
before reaching the Sorpe Dam.

Corporal BECK PARSONS
Vital to the whole Dambusters operation was the complete dedication by the ground crew of 617 Squadron, personified by Beck Parsons. Joining the RAF in 1940,
he trained as an electrician and worked with Avro Manchesters with 207 Squadron at Waddington.
In March 1943 he was posted to 617 Squadron at Scampton where he flew with Barnes Wallis during the tests on the bouncing bomb'.
As Electrical NCO Beck was responsible for the electrics on 'B' Flight at the time of the raid, together with 'Top Maintenance' on five of the Lancasters,
including those of Guy Gibson and Mick Martin.

Corporal KENNETH LUCAS
Ken Lucas joined the RAF in June 1940, and trained as ground crew for Bomber Command. He was sent first to 49 Squadron at RAF Scampton, before transfer?ring
to 617 Squadron upon its formation. Involved in all the major servicing of the aircraft, Ken was heavily involved in carrying out the modifications to the aircraft
before the raid, including fitting the motors that drove the belt that spun the bomb, and attaching the crucial lamps to the underside of the aircraft.

Its rare to offer the opportunity of this outstanding piece to collectors, which is a ?must have? for Dambusters enthusiasts the world over.
We have just ONE COPY available.

Signed by:
Squadron Leader GEORGE JOHNSON MBE DFM
Sergeant RAY GRAYSTON RAF (October 13 1918 - April 15 2010)
Squadron Leader Les MUNRO DSO DFC RNZAF (5 April 1919 ? 4 August 2015) was last surviving pilot of the Dambusters Raid of May 1943.
Sergeant FREDERICK E. SUTHERLAND RCAF (February 26, 1923 ? January 21, 2019)
Flight Sergeant GRANT S. McDONALD RCAF (20 July 1921 - 13 May 2012)
Corporal BECK PARSONS
Corporal KENNETH LUCAS (deceased)
Robert Taylor (Artist)

Provenance:
Comes with original COA from the publisher with info
Comes with our own Devon Autographs COA with lifetime authenticity guarantee.
Devon Autographs (UACC Registered Dealer RD#336)