Evening Patrol by Gerald Coulson.

During the early part of World War II the coastline of Britain was constantly under threat, particularly the busy shipping lanes of the North Sea. As well as carrying out bombing raids on strategic coastal targets and ports such as Luftflotte 5s attack on the north-east in August 1940, allied shipping was regularly attacked at sea as the Luftwaffe tried to disrupt supplies. The RAF played a vital part in protecting these supplies, escorting fishing fleets and shipping convoys, as well as long range patrols over the sea, seeking enemy activity and intercepting high altitude reconnaissance aircraft. These patrols were often long and arduous with pilots running the gauntlet of, if shot down, ditching into the sea. Often pilots would survive being hit and baling out, only to succumb to the freezing and hostile waters of the North Sea. Often fighter squadrons being rested during the Battle of Britain, would be moved to northern locations such as Acklington and Leconfield, and carry out coastal and sea patrols before returning to the more intense fighting in the south. Flying over the Humber Estuary as the sun is setting, pilots of 610 Sqn return their MKII Spitfires to Leconfield after a convoy patrol late in 1940.

Last 5 prints available.

Signed by Group Captain Desmond Sheen DFC* (deceased),
Wing Commander Paddy Barthropp DFC AFC (deceased),
Squadron Leader Neville Duke, DSO, OBE, DFC*, AFC, CzMC (deceased),
Group Captain Tom Dalton Morgan DSO, DFC*, OBE (deceased),
Squadron Leader Basil Stapleton DFC (deceased),
Air Commodore Peter Brothers CBE, DSO, DFC* (deceased),
Squadron Leader Arthur Leigh DFC, DFM (deceased)
and
Wing Commander Harbourne Stephen CBE, DSO, DFC (deceased).

Signed limited edition of 850 prints.

Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm)