Description

On June16, 1918, Major W. A. (Billy) Bishop took off at dawn on a patrol in search of enemy aircraft. Climbing his flight of SE5A's to 8000 feet above Armentieres, Northern France, he located and destroyed one enemy aircraft and followed this some eight minutes later by destroying a second. A tough Canadian, Billy Bishop was an outstanding fighter pilot endowed with great courage. Though he led 85 Squadron with distinction, he preferred to fight his air combats single-handed. Indeed he was awarded the Victoria Cross when, on one of his solitary forays, he attacked an enemy airfield at dawn shooting down three aircraft as they took off. Unlike many of his contemporary aces, Bishop survived the war and returned to Canada with 72 victories. Possibly the most beautiful of The First World War fighters, the SE5A was a stable flyer and popular with its pilots. Other great aces to achieve fame flying SE5A's in combat included Albert Ball and Mick Mannock, who accounted for 50 enemy aircraft flying this fine airplane..."THE DAWN PATROL" portrays Billy Bishop and the pilots of 85 Squadron as they climb their SE5A fighters into the cool morning sunlight above the fields of Northern France on June 16, 1918. This superb lithograph is highly sought after by enthusiasts of this chivalrous era in the history of air combat... In addition to the artist Robert Taylor , this print was individually signed in pencil by Two distinguished First World War Fighter Pilots: Robert Chidlaw-Roberts and Gwilym Lewis...This lovely mint print has been professionally framed with a reproduction Royal Flying Corps wings and two RFC badges...priced @ £1195.00...To complement the purchase of your fine art print, we are now able to offer a professional Picture Framing service. For further details please contact us by phone or email.