Berlin, Germany, 24th March 1944. While taking part in what was to be the last major RAF bombing raid on the German capital, Avro Lancaster AS-C of 166 Squadron was unlucky to have both port engines hit by flak. As the crew prepared to bale out, the aircraft again came under fire, this time by an enemy nightfighter. Knocked unconscious by one of the fighters shells, mid gunner Sgt. W.H. Burnell was trapped in the doomed bomber as it fell to the ground from 25,000 ft. Unbelievably he survived and apart from bruising his only injury was a gashed head from the stray shell.
Item Code : DHM1978
Night of Strong Winds by David Pentland. - Editions Available
RAF Scampton, 16th May 1943. Ground crew deliver the top secret bouncing bombs to the Lancasters of 617 Squadron in preparation for Operation Chastise.
Item Code : DP0213
The Secret Weapon by David Pentland. - Editions Available
RAF De Havilland Mosquito FbIVs of 107 Squadron, 2nd Tactical Airforce on a night bombing mission of the French Railways, as part of the allied preparations for D-Day.
Item Code : DP0006
Overture to Overlord by David Pentland - Editions Available
Target Y The Eder Dam Raid, The Ruhr Valley, 17th May 1942 by David Pentland.
At 0154am, Pilot officer Les Knight in Avro Lancaster AJ-N transmitted the codeword Dinghy, the signal that the Eder Dam had been successfully breached. Although the target was undefended by flak, its location made it extremely difficult to hit. In fact, four of the five aircraft involved in the attack failed in their attempts and Knights was the last available aircraft carrying the last available bomb!
Item Code : DHM1217
Target Y The Eder Dam Raid, The Ruhr Valley, 17th May 1942 by David Pentland. - Editions Available
Tribute to the 617 Sqn Dambusters Crew of Lancaster AJ-N by David Pentland.
The image shows Lancaster AJ-N pulling away after its successful breach of the Eder dam. Alongside is the portrait of AJ-N pilot Plt Off L J Knight. This aircraft was the third aircraft to make the tricky attack on the Eder dam. Despite the approach being made difficult by the terrain, AJ-N successfully breached the Eder dam with its bomb, and returned home safely.
Crew of N for Nan :
Pilot : Plt Off L J Knight Flight Engineer : Sgt R E Grayston Navigator : Flg Off H S Hobday Wireless Operator : Flt Sgt R G T Kellow Bomb Aimer : Flg Off E C Johnson Front Gunner : Sgt F E Sutherland Rear Gunner : Sgt H E O'Brien.
Item Code : DP0203
Tribute to the 617 Sqn Dambusters Crew of Lancaster AJ-N by David Pentland. - Editions Available
Southern England, 19th August 1942. Alex Thom arrives safely at the airfield of No.87 Squadron in a Miles Master. He would immediately take off to return to Dieppe in Hurricane LK-A, seen in the background.
While on an early morning sortie over Dieppe to support the allied landing Operation Jubilee, the Hawker Hurricane IIc of Alex Thom sustained flak damage to its engine. Despite a severe oil leak he nursed his aircraft safely back to England where he made a successful forced landing.
Item Code : DP0196
Danger Over Dieppe by David Pentland. - Editions Available
Tribute to the 617 Sqn Dambusters Crew of Lancaster AJ-G by David Pentland.
The image shows Lancaster AJ-G attacking the Mohne dam. Alongside is the portrait of AJ-G pilot Wing Cdr G P Gibson. The very first aircraft to attack the dams, AJ-G dropped its bomb short of the Mohne, but drew anti-aircraft fire away from the following Lancasters, before returning home safely
Crew of G for George :
Pilot : Wing Cdr G P Gibson Flight Engineer : Sgt J Pulford Navigator : Plt Off H T Taerum Wireless Operator : Flt Lt R E G Hutchison Bomb Aimer : Plt Off F M Spafford Front Gunner : Flt Sgt G A Deering Rear Gunner : Flt Lt R D Trevor-Roper.
Item Code : DP0209
Tribute to the 617 Sqn Dambusters Crew of Lancaster AJ-G by David Pentland. - Editions Available
Portland, England, 30th September 1940. Already an accomplished Spitfire ace with at least 10 confirmed kills, Bob Doe had just transferred from 234 squadron to 238 Hurricane squadron when he intercepted and brought down a Heinkel He111P-2 from I/KG55 Griffin Geschwader.
Item Code : DP0188
Doe's Griffin by David Pentland. - Editions Available
Bir el Gobi, North Africa, 8th August 1940. A full squadron sweep into Libya by 80 Squadron, designed to give the enemy a bloody nose was devised and implemented by Squadron Leader Paddy Dunn. In all 13 of the unit's Gloster Gladiators engaged some 16 Fiat Cr.42s and 2 Ro.37s, inflicting considerable damage on the enemy. Last to enter the fray were the top cover vic of Pat Pattle, Sid Richens and Greg Shorty Graham. By the end of the brief 5 minute battle 9 Italian aircraft were confirmed destroyed plus 6 probables.
Item Code : DP0191
Textbook Attack by David Pentland. - Editions Available
Flt Lt Alex Thom DFC of No. 87 Sqn is ferried back to the airfield of No.87 Sqn in a Master aircraft on 19th August 1942 after his Hurricane made a forced landing at East Den.
Item Code : DP0193
Taxi Service by David Pentland. - Editions Available
Tribute to the 617 Sqn Dambusters Crew of Lancaster AJ-P by David Pentland.
The image shows Lancaster AJ-P attacking the Mohne dam. Alongside is the portrait of AJ-P pilot Flt Lt H B Martin. This aircraft was the third to attack the Mohne dam, and although the bomb was dropped successfully, it veered to the side of the dam and exploded off target. The aircraft returned safely.
Crew of P for Popsie :
Pilot : Flt Lt H B Martin Flight Engineer : Plt Off I Whittaker Navigator : Flt Lt J F Leggo Wireless Operator : Flg Off L Chambers Bomb Aimer : Flt Lt R C Hay Front Gunner : Plt Off B T Foxlee Rear Gunner : Flt Sgt T D Simpson.
Item Code : DP0210
Tribute to the 617 Sqn Dambusters Crew of Lancaster AJ-P by David Pentland. - Editions Available
Tribute to the 617 Sqn Dambusters Crew of Lancaster AJ-A by David Pentland.
The image shows Lancaster AJ-A attacking the Mohne dam, successfully causing a small breach. Alongside is the portrait of AJ-A pilot Sqn Ldr H M Young. This aircraft was shot down over the Dutch coast on the return journey, with the loss of all crew.
Crew of A for Apple :
Pilot : Sqn Ldr H M Young Flight Engineer : Sgt D T Horsfall Navigator : Flt Sgt D W Roberts Wireless Operator : Sgt L W Nichols Bomb Aimer : Flg Off V S MacCausland Front Gunner : Sgt G A Yeo Rear Gunner : Sgt W Ibbotson.
Item Code : DP0212
Tribute to the 617 Sqn Dambusters Crew of Lancaster AJ-A by David Pentland. - Editions Available
Tribute to the 617 Sqn Dambusters Crew of Lancaster AJ-M by David Pentland.
The image shows Lancaster AJ-M attacking the Mohne dam. Alongside is the portrait of AJ-M pilot Flt Lt J V Hopgood. The second aircraft to attack the target, the aircraft was hit by flak, and its bomb bounced over the dam. Caught in the blast from its own bomb, the aircraft crashed soon after passing over the dam, with just two of the crew surviving.
Crew of M for Mother :
Pilot : Flt Lt J V Hopgood Flight Engineer : Sgt C Brennan Navigator : Flg Off K Earnshaw Wireless Operator : Sgt J W Minchin Bomb Aimer : Sgt J W Fraser (survived) Front Gunner : Plt Off G H F G Gregory Rear Gunner : Plt Off A F Burcher (survived).
Item Code : DP0211
Tribute to the 617 Sqn Dambusters Crew of Lancaster AJ-M by David Pentland. - Editions Available
