| "Achtung
Spitfire!!" The shrill, nerve-tingling words screamed over
the intercoms that never failed to bring fear and trepidation
to the Luftwaffe bomber crews, and a rush of adrenalin in the
German fighter pilots. More than any fighter in the history
of aerial combat, the Spitfire has set aviators' emotions racing.
And, after 65 years, she does to this day! Like
her great adversary, the Messerschmitt Bf109, the Supermarine
Spitfire gained legendary status, both fighters becoming timeless
symbols of the opposing nations that contested the skies of
Europe during World War II. Drawing first blood in the Battle
of Britain, their six-year duel continued without interruption
till the end of the war.
Being directly descended
from Mitchell's pre-war, all-conquering Supermarine racing
seaplanes, the little all-metal fighter arrived in the RAF
squadrons in 1939 - just in the nick of time! Only 9 squadrons
had received their gleaming new Spitfires at the outbreak
of war, 19 squadrons being operational at the outset of the
Battle of Britain.
Distinctive with its thin, aero-dynamically advanced elliptical
wings and the unmistakable roar of its 12-cycle Rolls-Royce
Merlin engine, this graceful, agile, fighter was from the
start, close to perfect fighting machine. So fine was the
Spitfire's design no fewer than 40 variants were developed,
more than any other British fighter in history. Unlike its
Me109 rival, which sprouted bulges, bumps, and cowls in its
quest for performance, the Spitfire grew ever more sleek and
beautiful with each step in her illustrious career. In her
final cloak she was a masterpiece.
Robert Taylor's spellbinding painting, Wings of Glory, Paying
tribute to Mitchell's immortal fighter, features the Mk XIX
Spitfire of the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Powered
by the Roll-Royce Griffin engine providing maximum speed of
450 mph and a 44,000 feet operating ceiling, this lovingly
restored aircraft thrills generations of aviation enthusiasts
with her spectacular aerobatics at Europe's summer air shows.
Captured here in a magnificent
study by the world's foremost aviation artist, this most beautiful
of fighters gives a virtuoso performance; high among the clouds,
alone in her magical element, she dances an aerial ballet
like no other could.
FREE
Companion Print
"Spitfire Sortie"
by Robert Taylor
Overall size: 16 1/4"
wide x 13 1/2" high.
A delightful study of a beautiful fighter aircraft. This colorful
Companion Print, initialled by the artist and issued with matching
numbers, shows a MkVb from 92 Squadron during the summer of
1941, above the green fields of southern England. |
|
Overall Print
Size: 27" Wide x 21 1/4" High.
Image Size: 20 7/8" Wide x 14 1/4"
High.
A Robert Taylor limited edition featuring
the Mk XIX Spitfire, issued to commemorate the 65th anniversary
of the Supermarine Spitfire, and to pay tribute to the gallant
pilots who flew this legendary little fighter in combat in
World War II.
FREE Companion
Book
"Air Combat Paintings - Masterworks
Collection"
by Robert Taylor
A Collection Of Air Combat Paintings
by Robert Taylor Foreword by: Colonel Don Lopez, Flying Tiger,
test pilot, and Deputy Director of the Smithsonian's National
Air & Space Museum, Washington DC A new, attractively priced
soft-back book of Air Combat Paintings by Robert Taylor showing
60 of his finest images completed in the past quarter century,
during which time he has dominated the aviation art genre. Robert's
personal narrative describing his paintings and drawings –some
not seen in previous volumes - provides a wonderful insight
into each work of art, and how his vibrant canvases comes about.
Packed with full colour, its 128 pages comprise a veritable
aviation art gallery you will want to return to time and time
again. A wonderful addition to your personal library, and a
most acceptable gift for the aviation enthusiast. |
Squadron
Leader
Squadron Leader 
