High Patrol – Framed Collector’s Piece

A powerful piece depicting Sopwith Camels of 209 Squadron RFC on an early morning patrol in April 1918.

Published in 1984, this famous portrayal of Sopwith Camels is a rarely seen Masterwork on the secondary market. These superb lithographs are personally signed by three iconic First World War aviators including one of the pioneers of Aviation and two WWI Sopwith Camel Aces.

THE SIGNATURES

Each print is individually numbered and signed by the artist and one of the true pioneers of Aviation:

Sir THOMAS ‘TOMMY’ SOPWITH BE, Hon FRAeS
A legendary pioneer of aviation he taught himself to fly in 1910 setting a number of records and launched his own flying school. After meeting the Wright Brothers he licensed their Wright Model B then completely redesigned it and began designing his own aircraft, forming the Sopwith Aviation Company in 1912. During WWI the company produced more than 18,000 aircraft including the Sopwith Camel, which he designed. After WWI he was bankrupted by the British Government’s newly introduced anti-profiteering taxes. He then formed another company, Hawker Aircraft, which was responsible for some of the most famous aircraft in British aviation history including the Hawker Hurricane the Typhoon and Hawker Hunter. He was inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame in 1979.
Sir Thomas autographed these prints when they were published in 1984, at the age of 96.

THE ARTIST PROOFS

This special Artist Proof copy is additionally personally autographed by two iconic WWI Sopwith Camel Aces:

Baron HAROLD BALFOUR 1st Baron of Inchrye MC and Bar, RFC
Initially joining the Infantry in 1914 he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and was posted to No. 43 Sqn. He flew throughout WWI, becoming an Ace with 9 aerial victories, all in Sopwith Aircraft, mostly in the Sopwith Camel. He was awarded the Military Cross twice for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on numerous occasions. After retiring from the RAF in 1923 he became a politician and was elected as a Conservative Member of Parliament, serving with the Air Ministry during WWII.

Air Marshal Sir AUBREY ELLWOOD KCB, DSC, DL, RNAS
Joining the Royal Naval Air Service in 1916 as a fighter pilot he became a double Ace scoring 10 victories, all while flying the Sopwith Camel. In 1919 he was awarded one of the first ever permanent commissions in the newly formed Royal Air Force. He held numerous positions in the RAF and during WWII was Deputy Director of Bomber Operations, Director of Coastal Command and Director General of RAF Personnel. He eventually became Commanding Officer in Chief of RAF Bomber Command before retiring in 1952.