DAWN OPERATIONS

Description

Dawn Operations captures a typical Pacific wartime scene during one of those few tranquil moments when conflict seems a million miles away. As dawn breaks over the naval base on the Shortland Islands, off the southern tip of Bougainville, a Mitsubishi F1M2 float plane is readied for its first reconnaissance flight of the day. Overhead a pair of A6M Zero fighters from a nearby carrier head out on patrol. Lying peacefully in the harbor a pair of cruisers prepare to sail. It is October, 1942.

THE SIGNATURES

This was the very first Robert Taylor print to be authenticated exclusively with the signatures of Japanese aircrew from World War II:

Second Sub Lieutenant SADAAKI OHNISHI
Sergeant Major TOYOMI TOYOSHIMA
Pilot First Class KEIYU TAKAKUWA

THE PUBLISHERS PROOF

This two print set is issued with the companion print Naval Manoeuvres, which was reproduced from Robert Taylor’s original pencil drawing, exclusively for this special edition. The companion is individually numbered and signed by the artist and Second Sub Lieutenant Sadaaki Ohnishi

The rarity of these Japanese signatures combined with this stunning image, made this a hugely popular piece, which sold out very quickly after release.