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Dawn Sortie
Gerald Coulson
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With its sleek, graceful design, instantly recognizable by its thin, aerodynamically advanced elliptical wings, the Supermarine Spitfire was the creation of R. J. Mitchell, an aeronautical creative genius. His fighter was to become not only the most important Allied aircraft of World War II, but the most famous British fighter in history.
Mitchell's design for the Spitfire was so fine that everyone who ever saw it, flew it, or fought in it was captivated for eternity. When American Eagle Squadron ace Jim Goodson transferred from Spitfires to fly his 4th Fighter Group P-47 Thunderbolt, he said it was like moving from a sports car to a truck.
"I fell in love with her the moment I was introduced. I was captivated by her sheer beauty; she was slimly built with a beautifully proportioned body and graceful curves just where they should be..." so said Lord Balfour, Britain's under Secretary of State for War in 1938, not of his wife but of the Spitfire. A sentiment echoed by generations of aviators and enthusiasts ever since.
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Overall print size: 32 1/2" x 14 3/4" high.
Image size:
28" wide x 8 1/2" high.
| Dawn Sortie by
Gerald Coulson |
| 50 Artist Proof Prints w/SIX signatures. |
US $295 |
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In the hands of an experienced pilot it was nearly invincible, and even legendary Luftwaffe leader Adolf Galland, when asked by Goering what he needed to overcome the RAF, replied "Give me a squadron of Spitfires!"
Gerald Coulson's painting captures a pair of Spitfire Mk1s at dawn high above the clouds over southern England in late 1940. An iconic tribute from the artist to the greatest fighter aircraft of all time. |
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The Signatures:
Each of the 350 prints in the edition carries the original signatures of three distinguished Supermarine Spitfire pilots who flew this brilliant aircraft in combat during World War II. All of the editions are also signed by the artist.
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Flight Lieutenant Alan Davies
Joining the RAF in 1943, Alan Davies did his pilot training in America. Returning to the UK he flew Spitfire Mk XIVs with an OTU, before joining 225 (Tactical Reconnaissance) Squadron flying Spitfire Mk IXs. At the end of the war, he remained with the sqaudron, first at Klagenfurt in Austria, then Udine in Italy, and served briefly with 253 Squadron.
Squadron Leader Gordon Henderson DFC
Gordon Henderson joined the RAF in 1941 in 1941, at Lords Cricket Ground, and after training in America returned home in 1943. He was then posted to 225 Squadron in North Africa, flying Spitfire Mk IXs in Tactical and Photographic Support to the First Army, completing a total of 105 sorties. For his second tour he rejoined 225 Squadron, becoming its Commanding Officer.
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Flight Lieutenant Kurt Taussig
Czech Kurt Taussig was sent, age 15, by his parents on the Kindertransport to England from Czechoslavakia in June 1939 to escape the Nazi persecution of the Jews. Determined to fight the Germans he joined the RAF at eighteen in late 1942, and after training was posted to the Middle East to join 225 Squadron flying Spitfires on photo-reconnaissance duties in Tunisia, the Sicily landings, and in Italy. |
The Artist Proof Editions
The FIVE signature Artist Proofs are additionally signed by:
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Flight Lieutenant Ken Evans DFC
Joining the RAF in 1939, Ken Evans was posted to 600 Squadron, where he flew Blenheims and Beaufighters on night operations until June 1941. In September he was posted to 130 Squadron to fly Spitfires, and in early 1942 was ordered to Malta. On 18 May he flew his Spitfire to Malta from HMS Eagle to join 126 Squadron. Seeing much action over the island in June and July, in August he returned to Gibraltar to lead a new flight of Spitfires back to Malta, this time on the carrier HMS Furious. One of 126 Squadron's most successful pilots on Malta, Ken was awarded the DFC, and credited with 5 destroyed, 3 probables and 3 damaged. Commissioned on Malta, he returned to the UK and in September 1943 was posted as a flight commander to 165 Squadron flying Spitfire Mk IXs. |
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Flight Lieutenant Darek Nowosielski
Darek fought with the Polish Army in 1940, and after the fall of Poland escaped to volunteer as a pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force. In 1943 he joined 315 (Polish) Squadron flying Spitfire Mk IXs and Mustangs. He flew first on convoy patrols on the Atlantic Approaches, then fighter patrols over France and Norway in 1944, and completed over 200 sorties.
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