The Dambusters - Inbound to Target by Robert Taylor

From the Robert Taylor Graphite Collection

The crews of 617 Squadron that took part in the epic Dambusters raid on the night of 16/17 May 1943. They were among the finest in the RAF, especially the pilots. They were the elite of Bomber Command, and when they left RAF Scampton that night, the skills of their pilots, some of the finest bomber pilots of the Second World War, would be tested to the limit.

Every print in this breathtakingly beautiful new limited edition has been individually signed by the six surviving air crew veterans and a ground crew veteran of the Dams raid.

The FIFTY Publisher Proofs have been signed by all six of the veterans on the limited edition. However, in addition, each of these elegant proofs has been individually matted to contain the authentic signatures of another six legendary Dambuster pilots and crew, five of whom were decorated for their part in the epic Dambuster raid.

Signatures:

All Prints:

Sergeant RAY GRAYSTON RAF - Flight Engineer in Lancaster AJ-N - they breached the Eder Dam.

Squadron Leader GEORGE JOHNSON DFM RAF - Bomb Aimer on Lancaster AJ-T - they attacked the Sorpe Dam.

Corporal KENNETH LUCAS RAF - Ground crew technician who worked on the Dambuster Lancasters.

Flight Sergeant GRANT McDONALD RCAF - Rear Gunner in Lancaster AJ-F - they attacked the Sorpe Dam.

Squadron Leader LES MUNRO DSO DFC RNZAF - Captain and pilot of Lancaster AJ-W, one of Gibson's three flight commanders, assigned to attack the Sorpe Dam.

Sergeant FRED SUTHERLAND RCAF - Front Gunner in Lancaster AJ-N - they breached the Eder Dam.

Publisher Proof Matted Signatures:

Squadron Leader KEN BROWN CGM RCAF - Canadian Ken Brown was the Captain and Pilot of Lancaster AJ-F that attacked the Sorpe Dam. Having already shot up three trains on the outward trip, they made ten runs at the mist-hidden Sorpe Dam before releasing their bomb.

Flight Lieutenant EDWARD JOHNSON DFC RAF - Bomb Aimer on Les Knight's Lancaster AJ-N that went first to the Mohne Dam, and then attacked, and breached, the Eder Dam. A few months after the raid he was shot down but evaded capture to return to England via Spain and Gibraltar.

Air Marshal Sir HAROLD "MICK" MARTIN KCB CB DSO* DFC* AFC RAAF - Australian "Mick" Martin was Captain and pilot of Lancaster AJ-P, and Deputy Leader of the Dams Raid. Flying in Gibson's lead group, his was the third aircraft to attack the Mohne Dam. He later served under Leonard Cheshire VC, and retired from the RAF as an Air Marshal in 1974.

Flying Officer DAVE ROGER DFC RCAF - Canadian Dave Roger joined the RCAF in 1941, and was posted to 97 Squadron before joining 617 Squadron in March 1943. He was rear gunner in Joe McCarthy's Lancaster AJ-T that attacked the Sorpe Dam.

Squadron Leader DAVID SHANNON DSO* DFC* RAAF - Captain and Pilot of Lancaster AJ-L, Australian Dave Shannon was part of Gibson's lead group who went fi rst to the Mohne Dam, and then attacked the Eder Dam. He was later Leonard Cheshire's deputy at 617 Squadron.

Flight Lieutenant BILL TOWNSEND CGM DFM RAF - Transferring to the RAF from the Army in 1941, Bill Townsend served a tour as a pilot with 49 Squadron, before joining 617 Squadron. He was Captain and Pilot of Lancaster AJ-O, and attacked the Ennepe Dam.