Depart in Peace by Geoff Lea.

On 15th September 1965, the late Jeffrey Quill flew the old Spitfire VB AB910 into RAF Station Coltishall to be handed over to the Royal Air Force Memorial Flight and preserved in perpetuity. Significantly, this was to be virtually the final moment of a thirty-year association and devotion by Jeffrey Quill to his beloved Spitfire. After Mutt Summers initial flight, it was largely left to Jeffrey to help turn Reginald Mitchells inspired design into the most famous fighter aircraft of all time. Jeffrey Quill writes in his book, Spitfire, A Test Pilots Story : It had been my business to criticise it and identify its faults; I had no illusions about it and knew its problems only too well. Indeed, they had caused me sleepless nights all too often... As I climbed out of the cockpit of AB910 I had that feeling of sadness, of bidding farewell to an old an trusted friend. The title of the print comes most appropriately from the words of Nunc Dimittis, - Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, as AB910 goes into the loving care of the Memorial Flight. AB910 had a long, historic career since being built in 1942 at Castle Bromwich. It was delivered to 92 Squadron whose letters QJ-J it bore at the time of presentation. Ninety-two Squadron flew Spitfires throughout the entire war and was also one of the Royal Air Forces top-scoring squadrons. AB910 was also the aircraft on which a ground crew WAAF, now Miss Horton, made an unscheduled flight crouched across the tail. After the war, it was bought by the late Air Cmdre A. H. Wheeler, CBE, and later by Vickers-Armstrong Aircraft limited, who completely restored it. This work was carried out almost as a solo job by Arthur Luscombe at Chilbolton and later the aircraft was based at South Marston. As shown in this painting, AB910 was fitted with a Merlin 55M engine from a Seafire III to improve low-level performance, and a four-bladed propeller, untypical of a Spitfire V, both of which have now been changed by the Memorial Flight. After a life of more than forty years, AB910 continues to give pleasure to thousands as it participates in displays during the summer months. AB910 serves as a permanent reminder of those days of the 1940s when the flashing, eliptical wings skimmed high and proudly to bring freedom to the skies. Now, as then, to be a Spitfire pilot is the dream of small boys of all ages. Indeed, even as one sees and hears this remarkable machine, inevitably its magic draws us all into its heart to become part of a legend.

Last 4 prints of this sold out edition.

Signed by Jeffrey Quill, OBE, AFC, FRAeS (deceased).

Signed limited edition of 750 prints.

Image size 22.5 inches x 14.5 inches (55cm x 37cm)