Major Missions by Robert Taylor

Forged by their unique link to aeronautical design genius Barnes Wallis, 617 Squadron became perhaps the most famous of all RAF Bomber Command units during WWII.

After successfully delivering the ingenious ‘Upkeep’ bouncing-bomb on the audacious low-level assault against the great dams of Western Germany on the night of 16/17 May 1943, 617 Squadron later released both 12,000lb ‘Tallboys’ and the massive 22,000lb 'Grand Slam' – the most powerful conventional bomb of WWII.

617 were the only squadron to use these mammoth weapons in anger, and it’s their modified Lancasters at RAF Woodhall Spa that form the basis of Robert’s atmospheric drawing.

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Signatures:

Collector's Edition (15 signatures): - Restricted to just FIFTEEN copies worldwide, each portfolio contains a veteran-signed copy of the book Bomb Doors Open along with a matching-numbered copy of Robert's print which has been signed by two highly-regarded 617 Squadron veterans (below).

Wg Cdr JOHN BELL MBE DFC (Bomb-Aimer)

Sqn Ldr BENNY GOODMAN (Pilot)

Each print is then matted to full conservation standards to include a further twelve original autographs of 617 veterans who served during WWII, creating a total of fifteen signatures across the portfolio! The famous names include:

Flt Lt BILL REID VC (Pilot)

Gp Capt JAMES ‘WILLIE’ TAIT DSO*** DFC* (Pilot)

Gp Capt LEONARD CHESHIRE VC OM DSO** DFC* (Pilot)

Sqn Ldr LES MUNRO DSO DFC (Pilot)

Veteran's Edition (25 signatures): - Featuring all components of the Collector’s Edition, this highly-prized Veterans Edition is limited to only TEN copies worldwide and includes the additional autographs of a further ten veterans of 617 Squadron, creating a total of twenty-five signatures! These include:

Flt Lt JAMES CASTAGNOLA DSO DFC* (Pilot)

Sqn Ldr DAVE SHANNON DSO* DFC* (Pilot)

Air Cdre JOHN LANGSTON CBE (Navigator)

AM Sir MICK MARTIN KCB CB DSO* DFC** AFC (Pilot)