Description
A stunning masterwork by Gerald Coulson specially released from the archives of the Military Gallery.
A TRIBUTE TO THE DE HAVILLAND MOSQUITO
It was probably the most versatile aircraft of World War Two and the missions undertaken by the Mosquito and her crews have rarely been equaled for their daring or precision. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, the Mosquito was not only fast and agile – for most of the war it could out-perform anything in the sky – but deadly: possessing the ability to carry almost every weapon in the RAF’s arsenal. These qualities enabled Mosquito squadrons to perform every conceivable role from fighter-bomber to photo-reconnaissance, intruder, pathfinder, night-fighter, V-1 hunter, anti-shipping attacks and, thanks to its agility and speed, low-level precision strikes.
What made the Mosquito unique however is that it was built mainly of wood and, at a time when metal was in extremely short supply, was a triumph of construction. Using plywood and balsa de Havilland created a masterpiece, something that drove Reichsmarshal Herman Goering “green and yellow with envy.” “The British,” he fumed, “….who can afford aluminium better than we can, knock together a beautiful wooden aircraft that every piano factory over there is building, and they give it a speed which they have now increased yet again. What do you make of that? There is nothing the British do not have. They have the geniuses and we have the nincompoops.”
In tribute to this magnificent aircraft Gerald Coulson, one of the world’s most widely collected aviation artists for over 50 years, portrays a scene that was played out at airfields all over wartime Britain after the Mosquito entered widespread service in 1942. Coulson is as famous for his landscapes as his aviation works and this stunning painting captures the mood perfectly as the dimming light of dusk reflects off the dispersal area, and Mosquito crews make their final preparations for the night’s operations.
The heroic crews who flew the “wooden wonder” had nerves of steel and carried out some of the most audacious missions of WWII. We are delighted that this stunning edition has now been made available from the archives of the Military Gallery and is signed by iconic WWII Mosquito veterans, adding great provenance to this poignant and atmospheric release.
THE SIGNATURES
Joining artist Gerald Coulson, each print is individually signed by two decorated veterans who flew the Mosquito in combat during WWII:
Flight Lieutenant TERRY CLARK DFM AE
Flight Lieutenant ROGER CALVERT
THE COLLECTORS EDITION & ARTIST PROOFS
Every print in this SIX signature edition has been additionally signed by a further four distinguished WWII Mosquito aircrew:
Flight Lieutenant COLIN BELL DFC AFC
Flying Officer CHARLES PARKER DFM
Flight Lieutenant GEORGE DUNN DFC MID
Flying Officer KEN OATLEY
THE VICTORIA CROSS EDITION
Each print in this EIGHT signature edition is issued with a matching-numbered copy of MOONLIGHT by Gerald Coulson. This atmospheric piece has been personally signed by a highly-respected Mosquito Navigator and conservation matted to include a museum quality reproduction of a miniature Victoria Cross and the original signature of one of the most legendary Mosquito Pilots of WWII:
Squadron Leader FRED CRAWLEY DFC
Group Captain LEONARD CHESHIRE VC OM DSO** DFC*
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