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Tribute to Squadron Leader Billy Drake by Ivan Berryman. - Cranston Military Prints

Tribute to Squadron Leader Billy Drake by Ivan Berryman.


Tribute to Squadron Leader Billy Drake by Ivan Berryman.

Sqn Ldr Billy Drake is shown in Curtiss Kittyhawk Mk1a ET790 claiming a Ju87 Stuka on the 31st of October 1942. Sqn Ldr Drake commanded 112 Squadron flying Kittyhawks at Gambut on 24th May 1942. He claimed a probable Bf109 on 6th June, another probable on 2nd July, destroyed a Bf109 on the 8th, damaged a Ju88 on the ground on the 19th, destroyed a Bf109 on the 24th, two Ju87s on the 1st September and another Bf109 on the 13th. Drake shared a Ju87 and probably destroyed another on 1st October 1942, got a probable Bf109 on the 22nd, destroyed another on the 26th, an Me202 on the 27th, a Ju87 on the 31st, a Bf109 destroyed and another damaged on 5th November, a Bf109 destroyed on the ground on the 11th, an He111 destroyed and a Bf109 damaged on the 15th, a Bf110 destroyed and another damaged on the 19th, an Me202 and a Bf109 destroyed on 11th December and he finally shared a Bf109 on the 13th. Drake was awarded a Bar to the DFC (28.7.42) and the DSO (4.12.42).
Item Code : B0442PCTribute to Squadron Leader Billy Drake by Ivan Berryman. - Editions AvailableExtra....

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Limited edition of 30 giclee art prints. Image size 16 inches x 12 inches (41cm x 31cm)Artist : Ivan Berryman£25 Off!
Add any two items on this offer to your basket, and the lower priced item will be half price in the checkout!		Now : £75.00

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Limited edition of 20 artist proofs. Image size 16 inches x 12 inches (41cm x 31cm)Artist : Ivan Berryman£25 Off!
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Presentation edition of 2 prints Image size 16 inches x 12 inches (41cm x 31cm)Artist : Ivan Berryman£330.00

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Limited edition of 10 giclee canvas prints. Size 16 inches x 10 inches (41cm x 25cm)Artist : Ivan Berryman
(on separate certificate)		£100 Off!
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Original acrylic painting by Ivan Berryman. Size 13 inches x 9 inches (33cm x 23cm)
Drake, Billy

Died : 2011
Group Captain Billy Drake DSO DFC* (deceased)
Joined the R.A.F. in 1936. His first posting was to 1 squadron flying Furies then Hurricanes and first saw action over France in the Spring of 1940 and was awarded his first DFC by the end of the year. As a Squadron Leader he was sent to West Africa to command 128 Squadron. 1942 saw his commanding 112 squadron in North Africa, in July saw an immediate BAR to his DFC and in December an immediate DSO. Posted to Malta as Wing Commander he won a US DFC in 1943. Back in the UK he now was flying Typho
Signature Value : £55
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+ Artist : Ivan Berryman

Signature(s) value alone : £55		£300 Off!Now : £1150.00

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Collector's Postcard - Restricted Initial Print Run of 100 cards.Postcard size 6 inches x 4 inches (15cm x 10cm)none£2.90

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Some other related items available from this site.

Throughout the long hot summer of 1940 the destiny of the British Isles, indeed the future of Europe, lay in the hands of a small band of young RAF fighter pilots. Against them stood the vast aerial fleets of an all-powerful Luftwaffe, gloating and confident from its victories in Poland, France and the Low Countries. Lying in wait across the Channel, anticipating an easy victory by its air force, were the armies of the most powerful tyrant the world had ever known. With Europe already succumbed to Nazi rule, Britain was alone, the last bastion among the free nations to stand against an evil empire bent upon world domination. The battle, the first ever to be fought entirely in the air, would change the course of history, whatever the outcome.<br><br>Outnumbered more than five to one at the outset, the odds were so heavily stacked against the RAF, the task looked hopeless. But as the ferocious aerial battles continued through the long summer months, the tactical skills, devotion and raw courage of the RAF's young flyers, gradually turned the tide. By September end, the battle was won and the defeated Luftwaffe retired to its plundered territories to lick its wounds. <br><br>Image shows nearest, young Pilot Officer Geoffrey Page, later to become one of the RAFs most highly decorated fighter aces, powers his Mk I Hurricane over the country lane at the edge of the airfield, as he and his fellow No 56 Squadron pilots make their third scramble of the day.

Glorious Summer by Robert Taylor		Joining the RAF in 1936, he flew Hurricanes in the Battle of France. Awarded the DFC, he commanded No.128 Sqn and No.112 Sqn in Africa, gaining a Bar to the DFC and a DSO. He later flew in Malta and flew Typhoons in the summer of 1944. Credited with more than 24 aircraft destroyed in the war, he retired from the RAF in 1963. He died in 2011.

Clipped Signature - Billy Drake.		 Slow, frail, out-dated and hopelessly outnumbered, Gladiator biplanes of 112 Squadron RAF tenaciously throw themselves into the fray, attacking Luftwaffe fighter-bombers in the battle for Crete, in April 1941. This painting shows Me110Cs of II./ZG76, having attacked naval units off the coast of Crete in early May 1941, being bravely intercepted by two Gladiators of 112 Squadron. Heavily outnumbered, the best the RAF pilots can hope for is to disrupt the Luftwaffe formation. And this they continued to do until, literally, they had no more aircraft left!

Operation Mercury by Nicolas Trudgian. 		Depicting Spitfires of No.229 squadron as they pass over Malta in 1942, a tribute to the young pilots, regarded as the saviour of an Island.

Maltese Falcons by Anthony Saunders.
Signatures on these products
*The value given for each signature has been calculated by us based on the historical significance and rarity of the signature and is for the unmatted version where available. Values of many pilot signatures have risen in recent years and will likely continue to rise as they become more and more rare.
NameInfo




Group Captain Billy Drake DSO DFC* (deceased)
Died : 2011
*Signature Value : £55

Editions signed :

Original acrylic painting by Ivan Berryman.


Drake, Billy
(Group Captain Billy Drake DSO DFC* (deceased))

Joined the R.A.F. in 1936. His first posting was to 1 squadron flying Furies then Hurricanes and first saw action over France in the Spring of 1940 and was awarded his first DFC by the end of the year. As a Squadron Leader he was sent to West Africa to command 128 Squadron. 1942 saw his commanding 112 squadron in North Africa, in July saw an immediate BAR to his DFC and in December an immediate DSO. Posted to Malta as Wing Commander he won a US DFC in 1943. Back in the UK he now was flying Typhoons in the lead up to D-Day. With Pete Brothers he was sent to the States to attend the US Staff School at Fort Leavenworth. After the war he continued in the R.A.F. serving in Japan, Malaya, Singapore, Switzerland and his final posting as Group Captain RAF Chivenor, Devon. Retired in July 1963. Going to Portugal where he ran a Bar and Restaurant and dealing in Real Estate. In his flying career he accounted for more than 24 enemy aircraft. Sadly, Billy Drake passed away on 28th August 2011.
Squadrons Related to This Print
No.112 Sqn
Aircraft Related to This Print
Kittyhawk

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