Closing the Gap by Robert Taylor

As Typhoon Mk1b fighter-bombers of 247 Squadron exit the target area near Falaise at full throttle, the havoc wreaked in their wake bears witness to the devastation of their powerful rockets. Fuel and ammunition from the retreating German column explode with shattering detonations, the savagery of the attack demoralising the enemy into stunned oblivion. The Typhoons will hurtle back to base to re-arm and hastily re-fuel, ready for yet another withering strike on the encircled Wehrmacht columns.

This stunning new rendition from the the worlds premier aviation artist pays tribute to the brave young RAF fighter pilots of the twenty squadrons of rocket-firing Hawker Typhoons who flew those perilous ground attacks during the Battle of Normandy. With each print in this new limited edition signed by pilots who flew in the thick of the action of the air war on the Western Front, knowledgeable collectors are given a rare opportunity to complete an important section in their valuable print portfolios.

THE LIMITED EDITION
Every print in this edition has been signed by three hugely respected RAF Typhoon pilots who flew and fought in the skies over Normandy. Each print is also signed by the artist Robert Taylor, and hand-numbered.

THE TYPHOON EDITION
In addition to the pilots signing the limited edition, each print in this remarkable TEN signature Typhoon Edition is also signed by the distinguished Typhoon fighter pilots listed below.

THE NORMANDY VETERANS EDITION
We're proud to offer this impressive edition to commemorate both the British Air and Land Forces who fought so valiantly in the grueling Battle of Normandy. Joining the ten RAF fighter pilots on the Typhoon Edition, each print is additionally signed by ten British Army veterans who fought in the Normandy breakout, making a total of TWENTY signatures in this edition.

THE KNIGHT’S CROSS PROOFS
Seldom has it been possible to publish two editions of such historical magnitude to commemorate one of the most pivotal battles in history. In addition to all the RAF and British Army signatories on the Normandy Veterans Edition, the Military Gallery has published two Knight’s Cross Editions comprising all the elements of Normandy Veterans Edition, plus an outstanding ORIGINAL pencil drawing of German armour by Robert Taylor, signed by tank commanders and crew who hold the Knight’s Cross – Germany’s highest award for valour. In all, there are a total of TWENTY SIX signatures!

THE WITTMANN PUBLISHER PROOFS
In the history of armour the name of Michael Wittmann is unsurpassed, and his signature highly collectible. The rarity of these FIVE Tribute Proofs comprising an original pencil drawing by Robert Taylor signed by twenty-nine Panzer tank commanders and crew who hold Germany’s coveted Knight’s Cross, and matted to include the authentic signature of Michael Wittmann is also unsurpassed. Add a copy of Robert’s limited edition signed by twenty RAF and British Army veterans (for a total of FIFTY signatures!) and the we are honored to offer the most exclusive edition ever offered by the publisher in over thirty years of publishing.

Signatures:

THE LIMITED EDITION

Squadron Leader PERCIVAL BEAKE DFC

Warrant Officer JACK HODGES DFC

Warrant Officer JOHN ‘ABE’ LINCOLN

THE TYPHOON EDITION

Flight Lieutenant Sir JOHN ATKINSON KCB DFC

Flying Officer KENNETH ‘JUNIOR’ KNEEN

Air Commodore C. D. ‘KIT’ NORTH-LEWIS DSO DFC

Warrant Officer DOUG ORAM

Squadron Leader BASIL ‘STAPME’ STAPLETON DFC

Flying Officer FRANK WHEELER DFC

Pilot Officer ‘RUSTY’ TOWNSEND

THE NORMANDY VETERANS EDITION

Staff Sergeant PETER BOYLE

Staff Sergeant JOHN BROWN

Lance Corporal ALEX COVENTRY

Lance Corporal ALEX DIXON

Gunner BILL GRANTHAM

Lance Corporal RAY WILLIAMS

Sergeant ‘TITCH’ RAYNER

Driver TOM SHERBROOK

Corporal BOB WEEDON

Private WALLY MENDAY

THE KNIGHT’S CROSS PROOFS

OTTO CARIUS – German Army – Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves

GERHARD FISCHER – German Army – Knight’s Cross

WALTHER GIRG – Waffen SS – Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves

ALBERT KERSCHER – Germany Army – Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves

NORBERT KUJACINSKI – German Army – Knight’s Cross

RICHARD RUDOLF – Waffen SS – Knight’s Cross

THE WITTMANN PUBLISHER PROOFS

SS-Hauptsturmführer MICHAEL WITTMANN Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. (matted)

WILLI BACHOR – German Army – Knight’s Cross

LUDWIG BAUER – German Army – Knight’s Cross

WERNER FREIHERR Von BESCHWITZ – German Army – Knight’s Cross

FRITZ BIRNBAUM – German Army – Knight’s s Cross

KARL BROMMANN – Waffen SS – Knight’s Cross

FRITZ DARGES – Waffen SS – Knight’s Cross

PAUL EGGER – Waffen SS – Knight’s Cross

GERHARD FISCHER – Waffen SS – Knight’s Cross

HEINZ GUDERIAN – German Army – Knight’s Cross

WILLY HEIN – Waffen SS – Knight’s Cross

CLEMENS GRAF Von KAGENECK – German Army – Knight’s s Cross with Oak Leaves

PAUL – ALBERT KAUSCH – Waffen SS – Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves

ERWIN KREßMANN – German Army – Knight’s Cross

OTTO KUMM – Waffen SS – Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords

KARL – HEINZ LICHTE – Waffen SS – Knight’s Cross

HANNIBAL Von LÜTTICHAU UND BÄRENSTEIN – German Army – Knight’s Cross

KUNO Von MEYER – German Army – Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves

OSKAR SCHÄFER – Waffen SS – Knight’s Cross

FRITZ – RUDOLF SCHULTZ – German Army – Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves

HANS SIEGEL – Waffen SS – Knight’s Cross

WILHELM WEIDENBRÜCK – German Army – Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves

ERICH WEISE – Waffen SS – Knight’s Cross War Merit

ALFRED WOLF – German Army – Knight’s Cross