Bader Legend, by Robert Taylor

The Inspired Fighter Leader. A COLLECTORS EDITION SIGNED BY FOUR FAMOUS ACES WHO FLEW WITH DOUGLAS BADER IN WWII

The loss of both legs in a flying accident brought Douglas Bader's promising flying career to an abrupt end in 1931. However the outbreak of war saw Bader reinstated to the RAF and, complete with artificial legs, piloting a Spitfire in the thick of the action at the time of Dunkirk.

With the Battle of Britain imminent, Bader was given command of a depleted squadron of young demoralized Canadian pilots following the fall of France. When assigned a new squadron commander with no legs, the pilots of 242 Squadron became even more despondent. Typically, Bader quickly dispelled their doubts with a brilliant and daring aerobatic demonstration in his Hurricane, and within a few weeks the dynamic Squadron Leader transformed the dispirited Canadians into one of the RAF's elite fighter units.

By the time he became Wing Leader at Tangmere he was already a legend. Though his tenure was short - he was brought down over northern France on August 9, 1941 - Bader's inspired leadership spawned some of WWII's greatest fighter leaders - Johnnie Johnson, Denis Crowley-Milling, Stan Turner, 'Cocky' Dundas, and many others.

Robert Taylor's beautiful, atmospheric painting, the original canvas signed by Douglas Bader, offers a magnificent study of the legendary Wing Leader's MkV Spitfire.

With each print individually signed by four fighter Aces who flew in combat with Douglas Bader, this fine collector print will serve as a nostalgic memento of arguably the most charismatic fighter pilot of all time.

900 signed and numbered prints: $320

Overall print size 27.5" wide x 20.5" high.

Quantity:

Four of the most famous Tangmere Wing pilots joined with artist Robert Taylor in signing this tribute to Douglas Bader.

Squadron Leader LIONEL 'BUCK' CASSON DFC AFC
Buck Casson joined 616 Squadron (Auxiliary Air Force) in 1939. In April 1940 he was posted to 501 Squadron in France, but after his train was bombed at Amiens he had to evacuate with retreating British forces. Rejoining 616 Squadron he claimed a Do17 on September 1 during the height of the Battle of Britain. In Feb 1941, now part of Bader's Tangmere Wing, he attacked a Ju88. His aircraft overheated forcing him to bale out. On May 5 he again baled out after being hit by return fire from another Ju88. He shared an Me109 on June 23. On August 9, Buck was shot down and captured - soon after he was awarded the DFC. He retired in 1954.

Air Marshal SIR DENIS CROWLEY-MILLING KCB CBE DSO DFC AE
Joining the RAFVR in November 1937, Denis Crowley-Milling was called up at the outbreak of war, joining 615 Squadron in France, later posted to 242 Squadron in the fighting over Dunkirk. During the Battle of Britain he flew in Douglas Bader's section and joined his Spitfire Wing at Tangmere, as a Flight Commander of 610 Squadron. He was shot down in August 1941 but managed to evade capture in France, only to fall ill in Spain with paratyphoid. Released to England, he recovered and rejoined 610 Squadron. In 1942 he formed the first Typhoon Bomber Squadron mainly attacking German airfields throughout northern France. He finished the war with 5 victories; and after an illustrious post-war service, eventually retired the RAF as an Air Marshal in 1975.

Air Vice-Marshal JOHNNIE JOHNSON CB CBE DSO** DFC*
Johnnie Johnson joined 92 Squadron in August 1940. Moving to 616 Squadron he scored his first victory on June 26, 1941 while flying with Douglas Bader's famous Tangmere Wing. In July 1942 he was given command of 610 Squadron, which he led on the Dieppe raid the following month. He took command of the Canadian Wing at Kenley in March 1943 and by September had added 10 Fw190s and 4 Me109s to his score. After commanding 144 Wing, he went on to lead 127 and then 125 Wings, ending the war as the top-scoring Allied fighter pilot with 38 air victories.

Wing Commander GEORGE 'GRUMPY' UNWIN DSO DFM*
George joined the RAF in 1929 and in 1936 was posted to Duxford with 19 Squadron as a sergeant pilot. He was one of the first pilots in the RAF to fly the Spitfire. With the outbreak of the war 19 Squadron moved to Hornchurch and George, now one of the Squadron's most experienced flight sergeants, took part in the great air battles over Dunkirk during the Fall of France with 31/2 victories. He flew with 19 Squadron out of Hornchurch continuously throughout the whole Battle of Britain. He was commissioned in 1941 and finished the war with 13 victories, 2 shared, 2 unconfirmed and 2 probables.