A Moment of Triumph by Gerald Coulson  On the afternoon of Sunday, 13th September 1931, Flt. Lt J N Bootham, RAF, in a Southampton-built S6B seaplane, tore through the skies over the Solent to average 340.08mph round a 217-mile course.  This fly-over was sufficient for Great Britain to gain the Schneider Trophy outright since it meant that the event had been won on three consecutive occasions.  That it nearly didn't happen is part of the history of British Aviation, only timely sponsorship saving the whole Supermarine programme.  So ended an era in aviation history which, with hindsight, proved so important for the free world as it was from this remarkably-advanced design of airframe and engine that R J Mitchell's most famous aircraft of all time, the Spitfire, was developed.  Without the advances brought on by the development of the Supermarine racing seaplanes, it is doubtful that the technology required for the Spitfire would have been so readily available.  The Merlin and Griffon engines from Rolls Royce were also part of this programme.  These were to be the mainstay of the British Aircraft Industry during World War II and become a legend in their own right.  A replica of the aircraft which went on to set world air speed records can be seen in the Southampton Hall of Aviation, together with the legendary Spitfire. Mission by Moonlight by Gerald Coulson.To commemorate this much-loved and incomparable aircraft, Gerald Coulsons evocative painting depicts a Mosquito B Mk. XVI, a high altitude bomber version, on operations deep over occupied Europe. In this guise the Mosquito was by far the fastest piston-engine bomber of World War II, and also the only light bomber capable of delivering the devastating 4,000lb block-buster bomb.Signatories: Wg Cmdr Robert Bray; Flt Lt Frank Diamond DFC AE; Flt Lt Geoffrey Perks DFC. Moonlight by Gerald Coulson. Flying secret agents in and out of occupied France, transporting arms and radio equipment to the Resistance, and collecting downed airmen from behind enemy lines, was one of the most hazardous flying operations of World War II. These cloak and dagger sorties, always conducted at night by the light of the moon, required a cool head and inordinate flying and navigational skills – a duty performed courageously by the pilots of RAF Special Duty Squadrons. Due to their clandestine nature, the true magnitude of their operations only became fully appreciated when the war was over.   Normandy Sunrise by Gerald Coulson.  After the success of the Hurricane it was with eager anticipation that the RAF looked forward to receiving Hawker's new replacement for the ageing Battle of Britain fighter.  But when the Typhoon arrived it was a disappointment.  Originally planned as a high altitude interceptor, its rough, tough design made it too slow and not sufficiently manoeuvrable in high level dogfights, forcing the RAF to look for another role for their new aircraft.  It was not long before this sturdy aircraft, with its distinctive frontal radiator scoop, had become the benchmark of all ground attack aircraft to serve in World War II.  At the time of D-Day and during the Allied advance through Europe, the Typhoon became the backbone of the 2nd Tactical Air Force's ground attack Wings.  Deadly at low level, and fast - it could top 400mph at low altitude - the Typhoon could outrun the Me109 and Fw190, and was robust enough to take the considerable flak damage that ground attack inevitably attracts, and  to get its pilot home.  Heavily armed with cannon, rockets and bombs, the Typhoon's sharp shooting pilots became the scourge of the German ground forces, exampled by the action at Mortain on 7th August 1944 when Typhoons wiped out the 1st SS Panzer Division. Top Cover by Gerald Coulson.  Big Brother and Little Friends - the enduring bond between the bomber crews and fighter pilots of the USAAF Eighth Air Force in their prolonged and hotly contested air war against Hitler's Nazi Germany, 1942 - 1945. Patrolling the Line by Gerald Coulson.  After having shoot down an Albatros DV over Ypres, captain Billy Barker in his personal aircraft B6313 leads his flight of novices in loose formation back to Allied Lines. Flying West into the early evening sun against the back drop of a dramatic skyline the four Sopwith Camels head back to their base at St Omer. Home Run by Gerald Coulson.  It is June 1944 and Mosquito B.Mk XVI's of the Light Night Strike Force, with their distinctive bomb doors and wing tanks return from a raid over Berlin having despatched their 4000lb 'cookie' bombs. The sun is just beginning to rise and the peaceful tranquillity is shattered as these majestic aircraft power in from the North Sea and continue their route, flying at low level over the Norfolk Marshes. Stearman PT17 by Gerald Coulson.  The Boeing Stearman PT 17 is a picture painted by Gerald Coulson essentially for the American Market and as a little self-indulgence.  The U.S. equivalent to the Tiger Moth, it was typically larger and more powerful, being based around a comparatively large radial engine.  Tough and easy to fly the Stearman still exists in large quantities and is used by fun fliers on both sides of the Atlantic, it being an extremely agile aerobatics machine capable of exciting continuous manoeuvres pulled along by its tremendous power.  The sound of the Stearman, like the Harvard, is unmistakable with its propeller tips going supersonic at maximum revs.  As trainers they were painted in the most attractive colours and against the typical Coulson sky this machine makes a brilliant impact and striking print as U.S. Army trainer 530 buzzes angrily through the sunlit skies probably taking yet another potential World War II ace on his first solo flight.   Synchro by Gerald Coulson  Painted to commemorate, and in tribute to, the world-famous Red Arrows, this is the 25th Anniversary picture.  The Synchro pilot hurtles down the runway as his Synchro partner "tries to miss him" with the rest of the team in the background.  Always spectacular, this maneouvre causes the crowd to catch its breath because from the crowd line because it appears that the Hawks might be close enough to touch each other. Leading the Way by Gerald Coulson.   On August 15th 1942, under the leadership of Don Bennett, a new group was formed from Bomber Command to develop specialised target finding and target marking.  Made up purely from experienced volunteers, this elite and highly trained group of men were known as the Pathfinders.  Up until this point the means available to Bomber Command of accurately finding their targets were totally lacking and the task of the Pathfinders was to develop techniques to precisely define these targets ahead of the main force.  Initially made up of four squadrons - Nos. 7 (Stirlings), 35 (Halifax), 83 (Lancaster) and 156 (Wellingtons) - they were based at a clutch of airfields between Cambridge and Huntingdon.  Originally part of No.3 Group Bomber Command the Pathfinder  Force was directly answerable to C-in-c Air Marshall Arthur Harris until January 1943 when it became a separate group, No.8 (PFF).  Personally selected for the task by Arthur Harris, the Australian born Don Bennett, just 32 years of age proved to be an inspired choice to form the Pathfinders.  A navigation expert without peers he was widely experienced in flying all types of aircraft including fighters, flying boats and bombers and already an experienced operational bomber captain.  Along with many of his colleagues, such as Hamish Mahaddie and John Searby he was responsible for instilling in his men the 'Pathfinder Spirit' - an intangible quality of dedication which bonded them together.  Pathfinder crews used a combination of personal skill and technical equipment to locate their targets.  Often flying against overwhelming odds and in appalling conditions they transformed the performance of a bomber force that in 1941 was dropping almost half its bombs on open countryside.  The first Pathfinder unit to fly the Halifax was 35 Squadron based at Graveley.  With some of the greatest Bomber Aircrew amongst their number the unit quickly gained a reputation for excellence that was second to none.  This superb new painting from one of the worlds most highly regarded Aviation Artists, Gerald Coulson, depicts a Halifax B MkII series 1A of 35 (PFF) Squadron on an operation over occupied Europe.  Flying at around 20,000 feet and completely alone and unprotected, the crew navigate their bomber well ahead of the main force, leading the way to their target. Country Life 43 by Gerald Coulson.  It is a cold, misty winters day in 1943 and a pair of Mosquitoes B. Mk IV return from a low level precision bombing raid over Occupied Europe. As the sun rises over the East Anglian countryside the unmistakable sound of Merlin engines shatter the silence as these magnificent aircraft emerge from the mist skimming across the landscape, heading back to their Norfolk base.  The de Havilland Mosquito was one of the most versatile aircraft of WWII, taking part in almost every role that the RAF employed. As a Night Fighter it became famous for its excellent record and was also used for precision bombing and photo-reconnaissance, where its speed and height put it beyond the reach of the opposition. Later it became prolific with the Strike Wings in an Anti Shipping role and with the Pathfinder Squadrons - piloted by such notable figures as Guy Gibson and Leonard Cheshire. Having a maximum speed of over 400mph the Mosquito had superb maneuverability and could out perform most other aircraft of the time. With a unique airframe constructed of wood the Mosquito was light but exceptionally strong and had a reputation with its crews of being able to get them home even when heavily damaged. Few other aircraft were so highly regarded by the crew that flew them and enthusiasts alike, making the Mosquito one of the greatest aircraft of WWII.   During 1943 Mosquito Squadrons were involved in many precision bombing raids over specific targets in Germany, its design making it ideal for this role - Berlin and back took only four hours and at around 28,000 feet German fighters were unable to touch it.  The first two RAF units to be equipped with the B. Mk IV were Squadron Nos. 105 and 139. Both were used in strikes against specialist targets such as rail marshalling yards and key industrial plants, with the attacks being mounted along the length and breadth of Western Europe. Flying at low level and using maximum cloud cover, the crews were largely able to strike their targets and return with minimal losses. One famous raid was to Berlin on 30th January 1943 - the tenth anniversary of Hitler's ascension to power - when the Mosquitoes presence over the Reich Capital totally disrupted a speech due to be given by Hermann Goering. Striking Back by Gerald Coulson.  "Conceived initially by Hawkers (of Hurricane fame), as a fast powerful fighter, the typhoon's performance in this role proved to be disappointing in the respect of rate of climb, and at height. They did however eventually come into their own as a superlative very fast ground attack aircraft, and combined with the skill of their pilots became one of the most potent weapons of World War Two.  This painting conveys something of the drama of a pair of typhoons at take-off, each loaded with two 1000lb bombs. Normandy dust contributes to the backdrop.Signed by Sqn Ldr L.W.F. Stark and Wg Cdr Roland Beaumont.  End of an Era by Gerald Coulson.  Entering service in 1951, the Shackleton has been seen worldwide performing anti-submarine and search and rescue duties prior to the installation of the radar necessary for the airborne early warning role in 1972 wit No.8 squadron.  Phased out during1991, and superseded by the Boeing E-3 Sentries (AWACS), only six remain and are still called upon to assist for search and rescue sorties and the dubious honour of operating in the conditions depicted in this painting. After forty years of sterling service the Shackleton deserves a tribute. Overdue by Gerald Coulson.   The Vickers-Armstrong Wellington entered service life in the RAF in 1938 as a medium bomber. As the mainstay of the Bomber Command, it bore the initial brunt of the RAF's night offensive during 1940. Without the benefit of sophisticated navigation aids, the bomber crews had difficulty locating and hitting targets and also contending with rapidly improving German defences.