ACES HIGH 21st ANNIVERSARY EVENT - 2nd & 3rd DECEMBER
Help us celebrate in style at the UK Gallery! We’ll have on display some outstanding artwork and host amazing WWII veterans to sign autographs for collectors. Leading artists Robert Taylor and Richard Taylor will also be joining us to meet enthusiasts.
THE EVENT IS NOW FULL
After an overwhelming response from our friends and collectors, all places have now been filled and unfortunately, for health and safety reasons, we are unable to allow entry to anyone without a ticket. We apologise in advance but if you haven't reserved a place please don't make the journey. We would however be delighted to welcome you to our other regular events.
We are constantly updating this page as soon as more information becomes available. Below are the special guests currently confirmed:
Saturday 2nd December
Aviation Artist ROBERT TAYLOR - having been at the top of his field for almost 40 years, Robert is the most widely collected artist in the history of the genre. He has sold out more limited editions than any other Aviation artist, a secondary market that continues to increase in value, and his work is the benchmark by which all others in this field set their standards.
BATTLE OF BRITAIN & FIGHTER COMMAND VETERANS
Wing Commander TIM ELKINGTON - serving with 1 Sqn on Hurricanes during the Battle of Britain, he scored a victory over a Bf109 before being shot down whilst intercepting a raid on Tangmere. After a spell with 601 Sqn, he joined 134 Sqn flying Hurricanes in Russia, being awarded the Ushanov Medal. After a time with MSFU, he flew with 1 and 197 Sqns on Typhoons, and 67 Sqn on Hurricanes in India. He also shared the destruction of a Do215 and two Ju88s and was awarded the Burma Star.
Flight Lieutenant BOB HUGHES DFC AE - flew throughout the Battle of Britain as a WOp/AG on Blenheims with 23 Sqn, before moving to 149 Sqn on Wellingtons in November 1940. In March 1941 he joined 148 Sqn in Malta, and then 70 Sqn in Egypt. Returning to the UK, he completed another tour with 12 Sqn.
Squadron Leader ALLAN SCOTT DFM - he joined the RAF in March 1941 and after completing pilot training was posted to 124 Sqn at Biggin Hill to fly Spitfires. Aboard HMS Eagle he then went to Malta to serve with 603 Sqn and later 1435 Sqn from the island, again on Spitfires. He saw considerable action during the October ‘Blitz’ and through this heavy fighting with Bf109s and Ju88s was credited with at least 5 victories and 2 probables. Returning to the UK he spent time as an Instructor before serving with 122 Sqn on P-51 Mustangs over Europe. His final tally was 6 victories.
617 SQUADRON BOMBER COMMAND VETERANS
Squadron Leader GEORGE ‘JOHNNY’ JOHNSON MBE DFM - previously with 97 Sqn, he joined 617 Sqn as Bomb Aimer on Lancaster AJ-T ‘Tommy’ which attacked the Sorpe Dam as part of the famous Dambusters Raid. Forced to use a reserve aircraft which had not been fitted with the twin spotlights for gauging accurate height, it was on their tenth attempt that Johnny finally released his bomb, scoring a direct hit. It is of great historical significance that 'Johnny' is now the last surviving British Dambuster to take part in the raids
Wing Commander JOHN BELL MBE DFC Ld’H - after training as an Observer, he flew his first tour as a Bomb-Aimer with 619 Sqn. He volunteered for a second tour with 617 Sqn, completing 50 Ops’ of which 28 were flown on special missions.
Squadron Leader BENNY GOODMAN Ld’H - flew Lancasters with 617 Sqn where he completed a full tour of 30 Ops’ including missions over Germany, Holland and France as well as taking part in all of the raids against the German Battleship Tirpitz.
Sunday 3rd December
Aviation Artist RICHARD TAYLOR - It’s hardly surprising that Richard became a professional artist. His father is Robert Taylor, regarded as the finest aviation and maritime painter of his generation. For the past few years, however, Richard has been quietly carving out his own niche in the world of aviation and military art and is seen as one of the industry’s most exciting artists.
617 SQUADRON BOMBER COMMAND VETERANS
Squadron Leader GEORGE ‘JOHNNY’ JOHNSON MBE DFM - previously with 97 Sqn, he joined 617 Sqn as Bomb Aimer on Lancaster AJ-T ‘Tommy’ which attacked the Sorpe Dam as part of the famous Dambusters Raid. Forced to use a reserve aircraft which had not been fitted with the twin spotlights for gauging accurate height, it was on their tenth attempt that Johnny finally released his bomb, scoring a direct hit. It is of great historical significance that 'Johnny' is now the last surviving British Dambuster to take part in the raids
Doctor MARY STOPES-ROE - the daughter of Sir Barnes Wallis, who as a child helped inspire her father to invent Upkeep - the 'Bouncing Bomb' - while skipping stones across Water as was famously portrayed in the 1955 film 'The Dam Busters'.
Wing Commander JOHN BELL MBE DFC Ld’H - after training as an Observer, he flew his first tour as a Bomb-Aimer with 619 Sqn. He volunteered for a second tour with 617 Sqn, completing 50 Ops’ of which 28 were flown on special missions.
Squadron Leader BENNY GOODMAN Ld’H - flew Lancasters with 617 Sqn where he completed a full tour of 30 Ops’ including missions over Germany, Holland and France as well as taking part in all of the raids against the German Battleship Tirpitz.
Flight Lieutenant SYDNEY GRIMES - completed a full tour as a Wireless Operator on Lancasters with 106 Sqn before joining 617 Sqn for a second tour. His first mission was attacking the German battleship Tirpitz, before returning a month later on the mission that sank it. He finished the war having completed a total of 43 Ops’.
Leading Aircraftman BERNARD MABEY - joined the RAF in 1943 and trained as Ground Crew working on Halifaxes with 640 Sqn at RAF Leconfield, Yorkshire. In 1945 he transferred to RAF Waddington as part of ‘Tiger Force’ working on Lancasters with both 617 and 9 Sqn
And dont miss...
ORIGINAL ARTWORK AND SECONDARY MARKET PIECES
We’ll have a huge selection on display but be warned – they may not be around for long!
OUR EXPERT FRAMING TEAM
A dedicated area in the Gallery will be set aside to discuss your bespoke framing requirements and handle all completed collections.
FREE REFRESHMENTS
Available throughout the weekend!
Entry to our Gallery events is FREE but for safety reasons it is important to RESERVE YOUR TICKET IN ADVANCE. Unfortunately, on event days, we can't allow entry to anyone who hasn't reserved a place. Even if you're not 100% sure that you can make it, please book your place in advance and if your plans change, just let us know.
Bookings are now being taken so please contact us to reserve your place!
