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Cranston Fine Arts  Aviation Art World War Two Veteran Signatures UK and Commonwealth M  Maywood, Richard |
Warrant Officer Richard Dick Maywood
After initial training in America, where he learned to fly Flying Boats for the American Navy, Dick ended up back in England, and after a brief spell with 692 Sqn, he was a Navigator with 608 Sqn PFF Light Night Strike Force.
| Warrant Officer Richard Dick Maywood - Signed Aviation Art |
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| Text for the above items : |
Devastating Strike by Robert Taylor. It was one of the fastest operational aircraft in the world, one of the most envied - and one of the most feared. Built almost entirely of wood and assembled by carpenters, the beautifully streamlined de Havilland Mosquito, or Wooden Wonder was a triumph of ingenuity at a time when resources of light alloys were in short supply. Its greatest attribute was speed. Powered by two phenomenal Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, the Mosquito became the finest multi-role combat aircraft of World War II. No other Allied military aircraft was built in so many versions for so many roles - a fast bomber which could carry a huge 4,000lb payload; a day or night fighter; a fighter-bomber; trainer; torpedo bomber; photo reconnaissance aircraft; maritime strike aircraft and U-boat hunter were just some of the 43 different variants produced during a long and distinguished career. Mosquitos had pioneered the role of daring precision attacks with the September 1942 raid on the Gestapo Headquarters in Oslo and were involved in the first unescorted high-speed bombing raids on Germany. It was the Mosquito strike wings of Coastal Command, however, that endured some of the fiercest battles of the war. Flying over the unforgiving icy waters of the North Sea to attack enemy shipping along the coasts of Norway, Denmark and Hollad meant that precision flying was essential for survival; especially in the deep, sheer fjords where even the slightest lapse in concentration could result in instant destruction. In this painting, Mosquito Mk.VIs from No.143 Sqn, part of the famous Banff Strike Wing, come under intense defensive fire whilst delivering a blistering strike on enemy shipping off the Norwegian coast in early 1945. Their salvo of rockets, however, will likely be enough to penetrate the hulls of the ships. |
Dangerous Coast by Robert Taylor. Mosquitoes from RAF Coastal Command's Banff Strike Wing race through a deep-sided Norwegian fjord following a successful rocket strike against enemy coastal shipping. The de Havilland Mosquito was arguably the finest multi-role combat aircraft of World War II and, remarkably, one of the few front-line aircraft constructed almost entirely of wood - few other warbirds were built for so many different duties. Amongst its countless roles it formed the core of Coastal Command's legendary anti-shipping strike force, and it is this role that is the subject of this painting, paying tribute to the Mosquito crews of World War II. A large force of Mosquitoes from RAF Coastal Command's Banff Strike Wing exit a deep-sided fjord along Norway's rugged, heavily defended mountainous coast. In the distance, smoke and explosions reverberate from their successful rocket strike against enemy coastal shipping, destroying yet another cargo of iron ore destined for the furnaces of Germany's industrial war machine. Above them P-51 Mustangs provide top cover support should any patrolling enemy fighters decide to make an appearance. |
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