Arctic Hurricanes by Richard Taylor


Arctic Hurricanes by Richard Taylor features Hurricanes of 81 Sqn over Northern Russia.

From a remote and windswept airfield 15 miles north-west of Murmansk in the freezing Arctic wastelands, a small group of RAF Hurricane pilots held the Luftwaffe at bay. Richard Taylor’s evocative scene remembers the ‘forgotten’ heroes of Force Benedict as Hurricane IIbs from 81 Squadron tangle with Luftwaffe Bf109s over snow-clad forests as they escort Russian bombers in October 1941.

Following his failure to invade Britain, Hitler soon turned his predatory gaze to the East and his long-held desire to invade Russia. Ripping up his non-aggression pact with Stalin German forces crossed Russian soil on the 22 June 1941- Operation Barbarossa had begun. As the Red Army reeled before the onslaught, Stalin turned to Britain for help and urged Churchill to send him Spitfires. Churchill refused but sent two RAF Hurricane Squadrons instead. It was, however, to be a completely secret operation codenamed Force Benedict; Stalin refused to publicly admit his need for outside help.

By early September 1941 No. 151 Wing, consisting of 81 and 134 Squadrons, arrived at the remote airfield at Vaenga in the freezing north of Russia. From there they defended against Luftwaffe intruders, flew escort to the Soviet bombers and, importantly, trained the Russians how to fly the Hurricane before handing them over-the first of nearly 3,000 Hurricanes supplied to the Soviets during World War II. In their short, three month spell at Vaenga, the pilots of 151 Wing carried out 365 sorties and scored 14 victories. 

Arctic Hurricanes by Richard Taylor is signed by what are believed to be the last two surviving Hurricane pilots who flew in Russia with Force Benedict, together with an eminent Luftwaffe Fighter Ace who fought against the Hurricanes of 151 Wing over Murmansk:
Wing Commander JOHN ‘TIM’ ELKINGTON
Warrant Officer ERIC CARTER
Hauptmann KARL-FRITZ SCHLOSSSTEIN.

Artist:

Richard Taylor


From:

Military Gallery


Edition:

400



Size:

36.75 x 33.25 inches overall including borders.



£0.00 £110.00
0 Rewards Points
QTY
Out Of Stock

We also recommend

Thunder in the East by Richard Taylor

Thunder in the East by Richard Taylor

£110.00
Tactical Support by Richard Taylor

Tactical Support by Richard Taylor

£110.00
The Royce Raid by Richard Taylor

The Royce Raid by Richard Taylor

£95.00
First Strike by Richard Taylor - Collectors Edition

First Strike by Richard Taylor - Collectors Edition

£150.00
Eve of Destiny by Richard Taylor

Eve of Destiny by Richard Taylor

£110.00
New Clash Over Bramsche by Richard Taylor - aviation art print

Clash Over Bramsche by Richard Taylor

£75.00
Dual Victory by Richard Taylor

Dual Victory by Richard Taylor

£95.00
Blue Nose by Richard Taylor

Blue Nose by Richard Taylor

£80.00
For Freedom by Richard Taylor

For Freedom by Richard Taylor

£95.00
Coming Home to Kirkby by Richard Taylor

Coming Home to Kirkby by Richard Taylor - Drawing

£50.00
Dawn Strike by Richard Taylor

Dawn Strike by Richard Taylor

£80.00
Grand Slam by Richard Taylor

Grand Slam by Richard Taylor

£125.00
Quiet Reflection by Richard Taylor

Quiet Reflection by Richard Taylor

£95.00
Rolling Thunder by Richard Taylor

Rolling Thunder by Richard Taylor

£40.00
Action this Day by Richard Taylor - Collectors Edition

Action this Day by Richard Taylor - Collectors Edition

£150.00
The Great Patriotic War by Richard Taylor

The Great Patriotic War by Richard Taylor

£50.00
On Course for the Mohne Dam by Richard Taylor

On Course for the Mohne Dam by Richard Taylor

£110.00
The Tuskegee Airmen by Richard Taylor - Tuskegee Edition

The Tuskegee Airmen by Richard Taylor - Tuskegee Edition

£85.00
Spitfire Scramble by Richard Taylor

Spitfire Scramble by Richard Taylor

£85.00
Eagles Wings by Richard Taylor

Eagles Wings by Richard Taylor - Drawing

£70.00

The item has been added to your basket

Continue Shopping
Proceed To Checkout