Great value aviation prints of Special
operations Lysander aircraft of
161 Special Operation squadron shown in aviation art prints by top
aviation artists. The Lysander played a major role in supplying S.O.E
(Special Operations Executive) agents to France to Help French
resistance fighters. Lysander prints also signed by Sir Lewis
Hodges KCB, CBE, DSO, DFC. These Lysander prints available form
aviation art prints part of Cranston Fine Arts.
Little attention is given to the role played by agents and resistance
workers in the success of the D-Day landings. Inspired by the
stories of one such agent, this picture depicts him being lifted from a
field near Paris in May 1944 and returned to England. The Lysander will
fly at tree-top level all the way home and eventually land at Tempsford in
Bedfordshire, England. After a thorough briefing the Lysander will
return to occupied France to co-ordinate sabotage against the transport
network and disruption of communications to hamper the enemy efforts to
bring reinforcements against the landing grounds and beaches
A Westland Lysander by Gleed.
Item Code : VAR0323
A Westland Lysander by Gleed. - Editions Available
A Lysander prepares to leave its base on yet another dangerous and secret mission to drop agents into occupied France during WWII. Agents and Pilots alike, took great personal risk during these operations. Pilots having to navigate by map, timing and sight, find and land in fields in the dead of night. Agents having to slip away into the countryside, constantly aware that the enemy could discover them at any moment. They were the bravest of the brave.
Item Code : DHM1602
Only the Brave by Philip West. - Editions Available
A Lysander of 161 Squadron from RAF Tempsford banks to port as it circles a field somewhere in France 1943. These missions only took place on or around the full moon period to pick up or drop off SOE agents with the help of the Resistance. 161 Squadron, the most secret of all RAF squadrons, had in its flight, Lysanders, Hudsons, and Halifaxes which carried out parachute operations. Two of 161s top pilots Hugh Verity and Lewis Hodges both received the DSO & bar and DFC & bar, and from France the Legion dHonneur and the Croix de Guerre.
Item Code : DHM1155
Lysander Pick Up by Graeme Lothian. - Editions Available
Lysanders of 161 Special Operations Squadron turn onto their final course to a clandestine landing field somewhere in central occupied France during a full moon period in 1943. Based at Tempsford, Bedfordshire and often operating from Tangmere to shorten the flight, the pilots flew a dead reckoning course to their first turning point, usually on the River Loire, using rudimentary navigating equipment. The moonlit town of Blois is easily distinguishable by its chateau, churches and bridge with the Forest of Chambord beyond. The agents in the rear cockpit prepare themselves by torchlight for the forthcoming landing.
Item Code : DHM2201
Loire Rendezvous by Philip West. - Editions Available
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.
To fly a small aircraft at the dead of night, without radio communication or navigational assistance, deep into enemy-occupied territory, was an extremely perilous task. To then land on an unlit remote field, deliver secret agents, collect Resistance leaders, or downed airmen and fly them home without attracting the attentions of enemy night fighters, was appallingly risky work. Yet throughout World War II the prime function of the pilots of the RAFs Special Duties Squadrons was to fly time and again into occupied France, in utmost secrecy, under the cover of darkness. It was acutely dangerous work requiring inordinate flying and navigational skills, and supreme courage. Most suited to these clandestine operations was the rugged Westland Lysander, operations being conducted, weather permitting, during the moons fullest phase. Guided only by torch light, the pilot made a hazardous night landing into an isolated field at a pre-arranged time, trusting that agents on the ground had che.........
Little attention is given to the role played by agents and resistance workers in the success of the D-Day landings. Inspired by the stories of one such agent, this picture depicts him being lifted from a field near Paris in May 1944 and returned to England. The Lysander will fly at tree-top level all the way home and eventually land at Tempsford in Bedfordshire, England. After a thorough briefing the Lysander will return to occupied France to co-ordinate sabotage against the transport network and disruption of communications to hamper the enemy efforts to bring reinforcements against the landing grounds and beaches.
Lysander Pick Up by Graeme Lothian
A Lysander of 161 Squadron from RAF Tempsford banks
to port as it circles a field somewhere in France 1943. These missions
only took place on or around the full moon period to pick up or drop off
SOE agents with the help of the Resistance. 161 Squadron, the most
secret of all RAF squadrons, had in its flight, Lysanders, Hudson's, and
Halifax's which carried out parachute operations. Two of 161's top
pilots Hugh Verity and Lewis Hodges both received the DSO & bar and
DFC & bar, and from France the Legion d'Honneur and the Croix de
Guerre.
Stealth 1944 by Steve Gibbs Little attention is given to the role played by agents and resistance
workers in the success of the D-Day landings. Inspired by the
stories of one such agent, this picture depicts him being lifted from a
field near Paris in May 1944 and returned to England. The Lysander will
fly at tree-top level all the way home and eventually land at Tempsford in
Bedfordshire, England. After a thorough briefing the Lysander will
return to occupied France to co-ordinate sabotage against the transport
network and disruption of communications to hamper the enemy efforts to
bring reinforcements against the landing grounds and beaches
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.
Loire Rendezvous by Philip West Lysanders of 161 Special Operations Squadron turn onto their final
course to a clandestine landing field somewhere in central occupied
France during a full moon period in 1943. Based at Tempsford,
Bedfordshire and often operating from Tangmere to shorten the flight,
the pilots flew a dead reckoning course to their first turning point,
usually on the River Loire, using rudimentary navigating equipment. The
moonlit town of Blois is easily distinguishable by its chateau, churches
and bridge with the forest of Chambord beyond. The agents in the rear
cockpit prepare themselves by torchlight for the forthcoming landing.
Lysander Pilots:
ACM Sir Lewis Hodges, KCB, CBE, DSO, DFC.
Flt Lt Peter Arkell, OBE, USAF Medal of
Distinction.
Flt Lt Murray Anderson, DFC, US Air Medal.
Flt Lt R G (Bob) LArge, DFC, Legion
d'Honneur.
Secret Agents:
Nancy Wake, GM, Legion d'Honneur, Croix De
Guerre, French Resistance Medal, US Medal of Freedom (The
most highly decorated servicewoman in WW2).
Major E H Van Maurik (OBE MiL).
Captain George R Millar, DSO, MC.
and Flg Off J A Thomas (Lysander Mail Drop Operator) & Cpl Donald Dunstan (Flight
Mechanic)
