Aviation artist Adrian Rigby's range
of large open edition aviation prints of the Red Arrows, Hawker Hurricane,
Avro Lancaster and Supermarine Spitfire are available from the military
art print company.t
Battle Above Dover by Adrian Rigby on 29th July 1904, the Luftwaffe launched what they believed was a
surprise attack on the port of Dover and the shipping in the area. RAF
controllers however were quick to react and Spitfire from Manston along
with twelve Hurricanes from Hawkinge intercepted nearly fifty Stukas and
no less than eighty fighter escorts.
the battle was intense and made even more dangerous for the RAF by
the heavy flak, which the gunners of Dover used to some success, shooting
two Stukas out of the sky. at the end of the action, seven German aircraft
were lost to just one Spitfire. more significantly, Dover was spared
serious damage and no ships were lost.
Edition of 295 copies. Signed by Wing Commander K W MacKenzie
DFC AFC, Pilot Officer with 43 and 501 Sqns.
Red Storm Rising by Adrian Rigby.
Item Code : FAR0898
Red Storm Rising by Adrian Rigby. - Editions Available
The Lancaster was the most successful bomber of the RAF, being both versatile and capable of withstanding consierable damage. In todays world, we often question the purpose and objectives which Bomber Command set, but despite thie, we must never forget the enduring courage of the aircrews, many of which never returned. This painting shows the Lancasters of No.619 Sqn forming up over the Lincolnshire coast and gaining altitude after leaving their base at Coningsby. The last rays of the sun pick out the scratches and stains of this faithful workhorse as its crew sets course for the target ahead.
Item Code : LE0624
Heading into Darkness by Adrian Rigby - Editions Available
London has enjoyed a long association with Concorde, not just as the major base for the aircraft at Heathrow, but also as a participant in the citys major celebrations. Whether it is a royal or national event, a Concorde fly-past is usually one of the highlights of the day; sometimes alone but often in formation with the Red Arrows.
Item Code : LE0851
Pride of Britain by Adrian Rigby. - Editions Available
This scene depicts a Spitfire of No.609 Squadron being bounced by Messerschmitt 109s over the Needles on the Isle of Wight, using the typical Luftwaffe tactic of flying out of the sun. This particular aircraft was flown during August 1940 by one of the great aces of the Battle of Britain, Flight Lieutenant John Dundas, who shot down twelve enemy aircraft. His greatest achievement was shooting downing Major Helmut Wick, the German ace on 29th November. Sadly Dundas was shot down and killed the following day by Wicks wingman, Lieutenant Pflanz, who also lost his life. A dramatic end for a great pilot, Dundas was a typical example of the calibre of man defending Britain at that time.
Item Code : LE0696
Channel Combat by Adrian Rigby. - Editions Available
The Royal Air Force Hawker Hurricane was one of the two fighter aircraft which won the Battle of Britian during the second world war. The hardy Hurricane, much loved by its pilots, although often put into second place behind its stable partner the Spitfire, was actually the more widely used of the two aircraft, recording more victories than the Spitfire during the Battle of Britain.
On July 29th 1940, the Luftwaffe launched what they believed was a surprise attack on the port of Dover and the shipping in the area. RAF controllers, however, were quick to react and Spitfires from Manston along with twelve Hurricanes from Hawkinge intercepted nearly fifty Stukas and no less than eighty fighter escorts. The battle was intense, and made even more dangerous for the RAF by the heavy flak which the gunners of Dover used to some success, shooting two Stukas out of the sky. At the end of the action, seven German aircraft were lost to just one Spitfire. More significantly, Dover was spared serious damage and no ships were lost. The painting depicts a Hurricane of 501 Squadron caught up in close combat with Stukas and Me109s above the port, whilst in the background, many more aircraft can be seen joining the fray.
Item Code : LE0697
Battle Above Dover by Adrian Rigby. - Editions Available
Like many others, the Hurricanes of No.56 Squadron were frequently scrambled to attack German formations heading for London. Flight Lieutenant E J Gracie flew with No.56 Sqn from their base at North Weald in his Hurricane MkI. Like many squadrons, his was frequently scambled to attack enemy formations heading for London. This painting depicts one such action over the eastern half of the city, the Thames being used as a landmark by the Luftwaffe. Gracies aircraft displays a good deal of wear and tear as there was little time for cosmetic work to be done in the workshops. Gracie was hit in action and forced to crash land his badly damaged aircraft. He escaped apparently uninjured, but was diagnosed with a broken neck some two days later!
Item Code : LE0626
London Guard by Adrian Rigby. - Editions Available
Royal Air Force Spitfire of 222 Squadron shown at the time of the Battle of Britain. These markings are also used on the Spitfire of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Item Code : FAR0753
Freedom Fighter by Adrian Rigby. - Editions Available
On 18th December 1939, a force of Wellington bombers attacked naval targets on the German coast. On the return journey, they were attacked by enemy fighters, for over half an hour, bringing down 7 of the 22 Wellingtons. A further 5 would be forced to crash land in England. One of the surviving aircraft was flown by Sergeant Frank Petts who, in a futile attempt to shake off his attacker, dived to sea level. Despite sustaining considerable damage and with two of his crew wounded, he brought the bomber safely home. The experience of the raid forced the RAF to switch to night-time sorties, bombers were clearly too vulnerable without fighter escort. Six months later, during the Battle of Britain, the Luftwaffe would learn the same lesson.
Item Code : LE0627
A Hard Lesson to Learn by Adrian Rigby. - Editions Available
Pilot Officer Alan Wright flew with No.92 Squadron based at Pembrey. His aircraft, a Spitfire Mk I, is often seen as the symbol of the Battle of Britain, though in fact, the Hurricane bore the brunt of the fighting. Nonetheless, the Spitfires beautiful shape endears it to everyone and it remains a potent national symbol. This painting depicts an action which took place on 11th September 1940. Having already downed a Heinkel III, Wright claimed his first Me109 the same day. His final tally would be 11. Aircraft were frequently pushed to their limits of endurance and this Spitfire bears all the marks of many missions.
Item Code : LE0625
Defence of the Realm by Adrian Rigby. - Editions Available
The Avro lancatser, the backbone of the Royal Air Force Bomber Command during world war two. The Avro Lancaster was a development from the Avro Manchester, and with its four Rolls Royce Merlin engines it was able to carry a substantial bomb load. The Lancaster entered service in 1942, with 44 Squadron based at RAF Waddington and 97 Squadron based at RAF Woodhall Spa. Superior range and payload capability meant the Lancaster was able to strike at the heart of Germany and the factories of their war machine.
Item Code : FAR0794
The Long Journey Home by Adrian Rigby. - Editions Available
The Historic Aircraft Flight was formed at Biggin Hill in 1957 to commemorate the RAFs major battle honour, The Battle of Britain. It was renamed the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight when it acquired the Lancaster B1 in 1973. Today the Flight is one of the worlds best known historic aircraft collections, maintaining in airworthy condition a Lancaster, five Spitfires, two Hurricanes, two Chipmunks and a Dakota.
Item Code : LE0965
Lest We Forget by Adrian Rigby. - Editions Available
The Longest Day by Adrian Rigby
Published to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings on
6th June, depicting Spitfires of 44 Squadron led by Johnnie Johnson.
Counter signed by Wing Commander Paddy Barthropp and Flying Officer Ken
Wilkinson.Click Here
For Signature Information
London Guard by Adrian RigbyLike many others, the Hurricanes of No.56 Squadron were frequently
scrambled to attack German formations heading for London.Signatories: Flt Lt Ronald H Smyth DFC AE RAF.
A Hard Lesson to Learn by Adrian Rigby This Wellington Bomber survived an attack by enemy fighters as it
returned from the German Coast.Signatories: Air Commodore W J Burnett DSO OBE DFC AFC RAF.
Defence of the Realm by Adrian RigbyA Spitfire Mk1 from No.92 Squadron claims its first Me109.Signatories: Wg Cdr Patrick Peter Colin Barthropp DFC AFC RAF.
Heading into Darkness by Adrian RigbyLancasters of 619 Squadron forming up over the Lincolnshire coast
and gaining altitude after leaving their base in Coningsby.Signatories: Sqn Ldr Tony Clifford Iveson DFC AE RAF.
Red Storm Rising by Adrian RigbyThe Red Arrows. The Royal Air Force's premier display team, the Red Arrows, performs
dozens of displays in the UK and worldwide during a typical 'season' and
some display areas have more challenges and attractions for the team than
perhaps others.
Art and aviation have been like a brother and sister to me. We have grown up together, learned together and made our adult lives together. But you do not have to have an appreciation of aircraft to admire the graceful lines of a Spitfire or the functional simplicity of a Focke-Wulf 190. They are themselves a work of art and they cry out to be painted - not as machines of war and destruction, but as objects of beauty, born of necessity and function, yet given a life and iconic classicism beyond their original calling. My interest and love of art and aircraft was gifted to me by my father, a designer and aeronautical engineer of considerable repute. Denis Berryman C.Eng. FRAeS. He gave me his eyes, his passion, his dedication and his unwavering professionalism. I owe him everything. And I miss him terribly. A love of art and of beautiful and interesting things takes you on a journey. You discover new interests, new fascinations, and you want to paint them. You want to paint them in their environment, in their element. Whether it is an aeroplane, a warship, a racing car or a beautiful woman, their gift to an artist is the same: Their lines, their texture and the way that light and shadows give them form. These are the food and oxygen of an artist. Not the paint and the canvas. These are mere tools. The secret is in the passion and the perception...
New Dambusters Paintings, Prints and Drawings!
A brand new series of releases featuring the aircraft and airmen of the Dambusters Raid.
This superb new collection of aviation art shows may of the famous events of the raids, but also shows some of the lesser known aircraft and details - the bomber that was so low that the tallboy bomb was ripped from the aircraft by a high wave (above), or the below treetop route to the target taken by one of the bombers, or the trains that were shot up by the gunners of the Lancasters on their way to the dams.
