Coast in Sight by Robert Taylor

With one engine out and serious damage to the starboard wing, a Mk.III Lancaster struggles to maintain height as the crew coax their battered aircraft slowly home after a grueling night bombing mission to Germany in the autumn of 1944. Completed in 1986 this moving piece joins the library of other major editions undertaken during this period, classic works such as Bombers Moon, JG-52 and Last Flight Home.

It is therefore a fitting subject to begin this series, giving fans of Robert's early work the opportunity to acquire an unreleased edition. As with those early and long sold out releases, the prints have been signed by an astonishing collection of Bomber Command veterans which is now impossible to replicate.

Included are many who flew with the legendary 617 Squadron and the signatories on this release flew a staggering 1200 bombing missions between them, making this a historic collectors piece which is destined to become an instant classic.

Signatures:

Limited Edition (2 signatures)

Wg Cdr JOHN BELL MBE DFC - Bomb Aimer with 619 & 617 Sqns

Flt Lt ARTHUR POORE DFC - Pilot with 106 & 617 Sqns

Collectors Edition (9 signatures) - The two above plus:

Flt Lt KEN TRENT DFC* - Pilot with 576, 625 & 617 Sqns

Flt Lt MURRAY VALENTINE - Wireless Operator with 61 & 617 Sqns

Sqn Ldr BENNY GOODMAN - Pilot with 617 Sqn

Flt Sgt CHARLES AVEY - Mid-Upper Gunner with 617 Sqn

Flt Lt SYDNEY GRIMES - Wireless Operator with 106 & 617 Sqns

W.O. FRANK TILLEY - Flight Engineer with 617 Sqn

Sqn Ldr GEORGE ‘JOHNNY’ JOHNSON DFM - Bomb-Aimer with 97 & 617 Sqns (Dambuster)

Bomber Command Tribute Edition (25 signatures) - All above plus:

Sergeant RAY GRAYSTON (Flight Engineer)

Flight Lieutenant GEORGE CHALMERS DFC DFM (Wireless Operator)

Flight Lieutenant BOB KNIGHTS DSO DFC (Pilot)

Squadron Leader LES MUNRO DSO DFC RNZAF (Pilot)

Flying Officer BILL NORTH (Pilot)

Flight Lieutenant BILL REID VC (Pilot)

Squadron Leader NORMAN SCRIVENER DSO DFC (Navigator)

Group Captain JAMES ‘WILLIE’ TAIT DSO*** DFC* (Pilot)

Corporal KEN LUCAS (617 Sqn Ground Crew)

Flight Sergeant TOM SAYER DFM (Pilot)

Warrant Officer DEREK GURNEY (Mid Upper Gunner)

Warrant Officer CHARLIE DARBY (Rear Gunner)

Each unique drawing is conservation matted to include the original pencil signatures of a further four of the most famous Bomber Command veterans of World War II. The veterans included flew a staggering 1200 Bombing Missions between them:

Group Captain LEONARD CHESHIRE VC OM DSO** DFC* (Pilot)

Group Captain HAMISH MAHADDIE DSO DFC AFC (Pilot)

Air Marshal Sir IVOR BROOM KCB CBE DSO DFC AFC (Pilot)

Flight Lieutenant JOHN PETRIE-ANDREWS DFC DFM (Pilot)