Air Armada – The Hardest Day Part 1

In just six weeks Hitler’s forces had overrun Western Europe as once-proud armies swiftly fell before the might of the German ‘Blitzkrieg’. It was a devastating defeat, and now only Britain stood alone. Few thought she could survive. As Churchill pledged that Britain would never surrender, a German invasion seemed inevitable. But before any invasion could take place the Luftwaffe must neutralise the RAF and win control of the skies over southern England. Awaiting them was a small, but resilient band of young men, the pilots of RAF Fighter Command. On 12 August, the Germans turned their full attention to the forward fighter bases and radar stations, hoping to obliterate them once and for all. From Norway in the north, through the Low Countries and northern France to Brittany in the west, the Luftwaffe threw every available aircraft into the attack. For the young men of Fighter Command the next seven days of fighting would leave them exhausted and all but spent: They were to be the hardest days of the Battle of Britain, culminating on Sunday 18 August

Overall Print Size: 33” wide x 25¼” high

Robert Taylor’s magnificent masterwork, Air Armada, recreates a moment on that day as Heinz Bär, the Luftwaffe’s top-scoring NCO Ace of the Battle of Britain and one of the greatest Aces in history, climbs away from his airfield near Calais with the other pilots of 1./JG51 to escort the Do17s of KG76 for yet another deadly attack on the RAF. Away in the distance, Me110s from EPRG 210 also prepare to join the epic encounters that lie ahead.

THE SIGNATURES
This historic new edition carries the original signatures of prominent Luftwaffe Aces that flew in combat during the Battle of Britain.

THE LIMITED EDITION
Each print is personally signed by artist Robert Taylor, and individually hand-numbered; together with two famous Luftwaffe fighter Aces who flew and fought in the Battle of Britain.

Oberst HAJO HERRMANN
Major HANS-EKKEHARD BOB

THE ANNIVERSARY EDITION
With all the components of ‘The Limited Edition’, this special FIVE signature Anniversary Edition has been additionally signed by three of the most highly respected Luftwaffe veterans who fought in the Battle of Britain:

Major ERICH RUDORFFER
Generalleutnant GÜNTHER RALL
Oberleutnant HEINRICH SUDEL

THE ORIGINAL PENCIL TRIBUTE EDITION
This outstanding ELEVEN signature edition contains some of the most famous Battle of Britain Luftwaffe pilots, achieving a staggering 1296 victories between them, and including the extremely rare original signature of Heinz Bär. It is a unique opportunity for serious collectors to acquire a fitting and lasting tribute to the outstanding airmen involved in the Battle of Britain. With all the signatures and components of the Anniversary Edition, every print in this special Tribute Edition is accompanied by a substantial ORIGINAL pencil drawing individually crafted for you by the world’s premier aviation artist Robert Taylor. Each drawing is different and will feature aircraft relevant to the painting ‘Air Armada’, the first in Robert Taylor’s new Battle of Britain Trilogy ‘The Hardest Days’.

Oberleutnant ERWIN LEYKAUF (drawing)
Oberst HEINRICH ‘HEINZ’ BÄR (matted)
Generalleutnant ADOLF GALLAND (matted)
Oberst HERBERT IHLEFELD (matted)
Oberstleutnant HANS-JOACHIM JABS (matted)
Generalmajor DIETRICH HRABAK (matted)