ROBERT TAYLOR Greycap Leader JOHNNIE JOHNSON Canadian Wing Spitfire 433 Squadron

  

"GREYCAP LEADER" by artist Robert Taylor is a beautiful signed and numbered limited edition print from an edition of 850 prints. Offered here at below original retail issue price, this amazing print has the authentic signatures of TEN Spitfire pilots. Bandits flying down Rhine towards you. " "A small gaggle - about a dozen.

Leading 433 (Canadian) Squadron, Johnnie Johnson swings his twelve Spitfires to the south-east, following the course of the river at 12,000 feet. Operating from an ex-Luftwaffe base at Culot in Belgium, Johnnie Johnson's Canadian Wing were in combat most days the weather permitted. The Luftwaffe had staged a remarkable recovery after their defeat at Normandy and by September 1944 were operating in strength from airfields east of the Rhine. Big formations of Fw190 and Me109 fighters were pitting themselves against the RAF's ground-attack Typhoons, and it was the Canadians task to get to the Luftwaffe fighters first. With all the essentials of tactical success - speed, height, and surprise, the Canadians plummet into the enemy fighters.

Within seconds the air becomes a tangle of twisting, turning fighters. "GREYCAP LEADER" takes up the story moments after the attack. Greycap Leader - Johnnie Johnson - has already bagged an Fw190, and is hauling his Mk IX Spitfire around looking for a second, while to starboard his wingman draws a bead on another Fw190.

In the distance more enemy fighters appear; they too will shortly receive the attention of the Canadians. An aerial dog-fight scene portrayed as only Robert Taylor can. In addition to the artist each print in the edition is personally signed by TEN Spitfire pilots who flew in combat in Johnnie Johnson's legendary Canadian Wing. This mint condition print measures 33" x 23½" and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and a four-page, full-color sales brochure.

With arguably the largest secondary market inventory in the world, Classic Aviation & War Art might just have it! GOOD LUCK AND THANKS FOR LOOKING!