The Dambusters - Three Good Bounces by Robert Taylor

In the history of air warfare few missions come close in terms of courage and the highest skills of precision flying to the one carried out by 617 Squadron on the night of 16/17 May 1943. Codenamed Operation Chastise, their mission was to destroy the great dams that were vital to the industries of the Ruhr and, to do so, they would use a radical new weapon designed by Barnes Wallis – a ‘bouncing bomb’ that would ‘skip’ across the water before detonating against the dam wall.

Robert Taylor’s outstanding new painting depicts the moment as ‘Dinghy’ Young powers Lancaster AJ-A over the wall of the Möhne Dam, moments after releasing his bouncing bomb. Commanding Officer Guy Gibson, flying high with lights on to draw enemy flak, noted “three good bounces” of the bomb before it successfully detonated against the dam wall to trigger its collapse. David Maltby in AJ-J will shortly deliver the final, decisive blow.

Signatures:

Limited Edition (3 signatures)

Squadron Leader GEORGE ‘JOHNNY’ JOHNSON DFM RAF - Bomb-aimer on Lancaster AJ-T that attacked the Sorpe Dam, scoring a direct hit.

Corporal MAUREEN STEVENS WAAF - The R/T Operator at RAF Scampton throughout the raid constantly communicating with the crews.

Dr MARY STOPES-ROE - The daughter of Sir Barnes Wallis who, as a child, helped inspire her father to develop the Bouncing Bomb.

Collectors Edition (8 signatures)
All of the above plus:

Squadron Leader LES MUNRO DSO DFC RNZAF - Pilot of Lancaster AJ-W assigned to attack the Sorpe Dam and one of the three flight commanders.

Flight Sergeant GRANT McDONALD RCAF - Rear Gunner on Lancaster AJ-F which attacked the Sorpe Dam despite heavy flak en route.

Sergeant FRED ‘DOC’ SUTHERLAND RCAF - Front Gunner on Lancaster AJ-N which attacked, and successfully breached, the Eder Dam.

Flying Officer RAY GRAYSTON RAF - The Flight Engineer on Lancaster AJ-N that successfully breached the Eder Dam.

Corporal KEN LUCAS RAF - Ground Crew with 617 Sqn, he was involved in fitting special modifications to the Lancasters for the raid.