Lithograph BATTLE OF BRITAIN VC by ROBERT TAYLOR

  

BATTLE OF BRITAIN VC' by ROBERT TAYLOR. This print was part of my late husband's aviation collection. Extremely rare Limited Edition print (published in 1984) by the renowned aviation artist, Robert Taylor (1500 printed). It depicts the famous RAF pilot James Nicolson (249 Squadron) attempting to escape from his damaged Hurricane over the Kent coast on the 16th August, 1940. Nicolson was the only fighter command pilot to be awarded the Victoria Cross during WW2.

This gorgeous print has been professionally framed. Colours are vivid and unfaded. Print is signed by Eric. Knightley who flew with Nicolson two weeks after this depiction and survived a crash in a Liberator aircraft, in which Nicolson sadly. Died (Knightley was one of only two survivors).

In August 1940 during the Battle of Britain James Nicholson was hit by four cannon shells, two of which severely wounded him and set his Hurricane on fire. While balling out Nicholson saw an Me110 cross in front of him, he immediately got back in his burning cockpit and shot the Me110 down while suffering significant burns.

Nicholson was the only Battle of Britain or RAF Fighter Command pilot to be awarded a Victoria Cross (VC) during the Second World War. Nicholson went on to fight in the Pacific and was killed in action in 1945. His VC is displayed in the Royal Airforce Museum, he is also remembered for his Pacific duty on the Singapore Memorial. Please check with me to confirm print is still available.