HAPPY RETURN
by Robert Taylor
A moving Masterwork graphite edition from Robert Taylor, the world’s most widely collected Aviation Artist
The Battle of Britain was long over but by the summer of 1942 the fight back against those Luftwaffe units left to defend northern France remained a bitter struggle. Although the pilots of Fighter Command had stopped the enemy in its tracks, seized the initiative and gone on the offensive the previous year, the skies over the Channel and northern France were anything but safe as the ongoing battle continued.
Completed in his accomplished and unmistakable style, Robert Taylor’s beautiful drawing Happy Return recreates a small moment of tranquillity during the early summer of 1942. Returning from a fighter sweep, a section of Spitfires from 602 Squadron, led by top Irish Ace and newly-promoted Wing Commander ‘Paddy’ Finucane DSO DFC**, pass low over an ancient tidal mill as they return home to RAF Redhill. Although low on fuel after the rigours of their recent yet successful encounter with the Luftwaffe, the weary pilots can at last drop to roof-top height to enjoy the stunning view below.
Although many pilots, like Finucane, honed their skills during the Battle of Britain, the waves of bright, young fighters from across the Commonwealth who came through the ranks in the following years are rightfully remembered in this stunning tribute.
Only TWENTY FIVE copies are available worldwide!
Completed back in October 2019 and featured in his latest book, Robert’s drawing was faithfully reproduced as a high quality giclée fine art print on textured velvet paper under his direct supervision through his exclusive publisher, The Military Gallery based in Great Britain. Every copy is issued personally signed by Robert, hand titled and embossed with the logo of The Robert Taylor Trust, a body established to preserve Robert's legacy and safeguard the future copyright of his work in years to come.
In tribute to this iconic aircraft and the legendary pilots who flew them, each copy has been mounted to full conservation standards to include a set of museum-quality reproduction RAF pilots wings and the ORIGINAL pencil signatures of pilots who flew Spitfires in combat during WWII. They include Aces such as Albert Houle (11 victories), Andy MacKenzie (8 victories), Lorne Cameron (9 victories) and Don Laubman (15 victories).
Each print in this highly restricted 13 signature edition is then mounted to full conservation standards to include the original signatures of pilots who flew the Spitfire in combat during WWII, together with a quality set of reproduction padded RAF pilots wings.
The full list of signatures reads:
- Wing Commander Lorne Cameron DFC
- Wing Commander Walter 'Wally' Conrad DFC
- Squadron Leader Frederick 'Freddy' Evans DFC
- Squadron Leader Hartland Finley DFC
- Group Captain Albert Houle DFC*
- Lieutenant General Don Laubman DFC* AOE CD
- Squadron Leader Joseph Omer Levesque DFC
- Wing Commander Andy Mackenzie DFC CD
- Wing Commander Robert Middlemiss DFC CD
- Flight Lieutenant Jackie Rae DFC
- Flight Lieutenant Larry Robillard DFM CD
- Squadron Leader Blair Russel DSO DFC*
- Squadron Leader Art Sager DFC
- Media:
- Lithograph
- Size:
- 21.25 x 19.5 inches
- Release Date:
- 7/2025
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