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Dambusters - The Morning After by Gerald Coulson. - Cranston Military Prints

Dambusters - The Morning After by Gerald Coulson.


Dambusters - The Morning After by Gerald Coulson.

Just after midnight, on the night of 16/17 May 1943, Lancaster crews of 617 Squadron undertook what was to become the most remarkable and probably best remembered air raid of the Second World War. Flying all the way from their base in England in darkness at tree-top height, with just the light of the moon to guide them, the specially selected crews made a surprise attack on the mighty hydro-electric dams in the Ruhr. Flying specially modified aircraft, each Lancaster was equipped with the unique cylindrical hydro-statically detonated bomb as conceived by Barnes Wallis. This huge device when released from the aircraft flying at exactly 230mph and at the precise height of 60 ft spun onto the surface of the water. To achieve the critical height above the water at moment of release, two beams of light, from front and aft, were projected from the aircraft on to the surface of the water, creating a neat figure-of-eight on the surface below. As each bomb bounced across the water towards its target, it struck the dam wall, sank to the pre-set depth, and exploded. The results were devastating. Led by the mercurial Squadron Leader Guy Gibson, ignoring furious defensive gunfire while flying perilously close to the water, each crew made their precision run at the target, released their deadly bomb, and those lucky enough to survive the barrage of tracer shells and anti-aircraft fire, escaped into the darkness. Not all of them did. In the space of those few, highly charged minutes, the Lancaster crews of 617 Squadron wrote their names into history. Sixty-four years on, the memory of their exploits and the courage displayed by the crews on that historic raid, together with the genius of Bames Wallis, remain undimmed. Gerald Coulsons painting shows a single Lancaster of 617 Squadron, one of the lucky ones having made it safely back to base, proudly standing alone as if in tribute to those that didn't return.
Item Code : DHM2641YDambusters - The Morning After by Gerald Coulson. - Editions Available
DESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASINGPACKS
Signed limited edition of 450 prints. Image size 20.5 inches x 12.5 inches (52cm x 32cm)

Extras....



A photograph of this print, showing the pilot signatures in the border.


Grayston, Raymond E

Died : 2010
Sergeant Raymond E. Grayston (deceased)
Ray Grayston had been serving in 50 Squadron when he was posted to 617 Squadron in March 1943. The flight engineer of Les Knights Lancaster AJ-N, they attacked and successfully breached the Eder Dam, Ray was shot down on 16th September 1943, and was taken to Stalag Luft III as a POW. Sadly, we have learned that Ray Grayston passed away on 15th April 2010.
Signature Value : £65
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Johnson, George L

Died : 2022
Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM (deceased)
Joining the RAF in 1940, George Johnson served with 97 Squadron before joining 617 Squadron. Bomb aimer on American Joe McCarthys Lancaster AJ-T, they attacked the Sorpe Dam, for which he was awarded the DFM. Commissioned a few months later, George retired from the RAF in 1962. The last surviving Dambuster, he died aged 101 on 7th December 2022.
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Lucas, Kenneth
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Died : 2011
Corporal Kenneth Lucas (deceased)
Ken Lucas joined the RAF in June 1940, and trained as ground crew for bomber Command. He was sent first to 49 Squadron at RAF Scampton, before transferring to 617 Squadron upon its formation, Involved in all the major servicing of the aircraft before the raid including fitting the motors that drove the belt that spun the bomb, and attaching the critical lamps to the underside of the aircraft. Sadly, Ken Lucas passed away in January 2011.
Signature Value : £30
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
+ Artist : Gerald Coulson


Signature(s) value alone : £140
£40 Off!
Add any two items on this offer to your basket, and the lower priced item will be half price in the checkout!
Now : £140.00

Quantity:
In 2 Pairs
and 2 Packs
View
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 20.5 inches x 12.5 inches (52cm x 32cm)

Extras....



A photograph of this print, showing the pilot signatures in the border.


Todd, Richard

Died : 2009
Captain Richard Todd OBE (deceased)
Later a world famous actor - with a key role as Major John Howard in the D-Day film The Longest Day - Richard Todd jumped into Normandy with 7th Para at 0040 hours on June 6th 1944. Their immediate task was to support the holding of Pegasus Bridge against fierce German counterattacks. Originally commissioned into the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, he was seconded to The Parachute Regiment in 1943. In Normandy he transferred to 6th Airborne HO on D-Day +5 and stayed with them until September
Signature Value : £30
FULL PROFILE UNAVAILABLE
 
Grayston, Raymond E

Died : 2010
Sergeant Raymond E. Grayston (deceased)
Ray Grayston had been serving in 50 Squadron when he was posted to 617 Squadron in March 1943. The flight engineer of Les Knights Lancaster AJ-N, they attacked and successfully breached the Eder Dam, Ray was shot down on 16th September 1943, and was taken to Stalag Luft III as a POW. Sadly, we have learned that Ray Grayston passed away on 15th April 2010.
Signature Value : £65
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Johnson, George L

Died : 2022
Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM (deceased)
Joining the RAF in 1940, George Johnson served with 97 Squadron before joining 617 Squadron. Bomb aimer on American Joe McCarthys Lancaster AJ-T, they attacked the Sorpe Dam, for which he was awarded the DFM. Commissioned a few months later, George retired from the RAF in 1962. The last surviving Dambuster, he died aged 101 on 7th December 2022.
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Lucas, Kenneth
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Died : 2011
Corporal Kenneth Lucas (deceased)
Ken Lucas joined the RAF in June 1940, and trained as ground crew for bomber Command. He was sent first to 49 Squadron at RAF Scampton, before transferring to 617 Squadron upon its formation, Involved in all the major servicing of the aircraft before the raid including fitting the motors that drove the belt that spun the bomb, and attaching the critical lamps to the underside of the aircraft. Sadly, Ken Lucas passed away in January 2011.
Signature Value : £30
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
+ Artist : Gerald Coulson


Signature(s) value alone : £170
SOLD
OUT
NOT
AVAILABLE
Signed limited edition of 450 prints.
Great value : Value of signatures exceeds price of item!
Image size 20.5 inches x 12.5 inches (52cm x 32cm)
Grayston, Raymond E

Died : 2010
Sergeant Raymond E. Grayston (deceased)
Ray Grayston had been serving in 50 Squadron when he was posted to 617 Squadron in March 1943. The flight engineer of Les Knights Lancaster AJ-N, they attacked and successfully breached the Eder Dam, Ray was shot down on 16th September 1943, and was taken to Stalag Luft III as a POW. Sadly, we have learned that Ray Grayston passed away on 15th April 2010.
Signature Value : £65
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Johnson, George L

Died : 2022
Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM (deceased)
Joining the RAF in 1940, George Johnson served with 97 Squadron before joining 617 Squadron. Bomb aimer on American Joe McCarthys Lancaster AJ-T, they attacked the Sorpe Dam, for which he was awarded the DFM. Commissioned a few months later, George retired from the RAF in 1962. The last surviving Dambuster, he died aged 101 on 7th December 2022.
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Lucas, Kenneth
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Died : 2011
Corporal Kenneth Lucas (deceased)
Ken Lucas joined the RAF in June 1940, and trained as ground crew for bomber Command. He was sent first to 49 Squadron at RAF Scampton, before transferring to 617 Squadron upon its formation, Involved in all the major servicing of the aircraft before the raid including fitting the motors that drove the belt that spun the bomb, and attaching the critical lamps to the underside of the aircraft. Sadly, Ken Lucas passed away in January 2011.
Signature Value : £30
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
+ Artist : Gerald Coulson


Signature(s) value alone : £140
Add any two items on this offer to your basket, and the lower priced item will be half price in the checkout!£130.00

Quantity:
**Signed limited edition of 450 prints. (One print reduced to clear)
Great value : Value of signatures exceeds price of item!
Image size 20.5 inches x 12.5 inches (52cm x 32cm)
Grayston, Raymond E

Died : 2010
Sergeant Raymond E. Grayston (deceased)
Ray Grayston had been serving in 50 Squadron when he was posted to 617 Squadron in March 1943. The flight engineer of Les Knights Lancaster AJ-N, they attacked and successfully breached the Eder Dam, Ray was shot down on 16th September 1943, and was taken to Stalag Luft III as a POW. Sadly, we have learned that Ray Grayston passed away on 15th April 2010.
Signature Value : £65
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Johnson, George L

Died : 2022
Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM (deceased)
Joining the RAF in 1940, George Johnson served with 97 Squadron before joining 617 Squadron. Bomb aimer on American Joe McCarthys Lancaster AJ-T, they attacked the Sorpe Dam, for which he was awarded the DFM. Commissioned a few months later, George retired from the RAF in 1962. The last surviving Dambuster, he died aged 101 on 7th December 2022.
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Lucas, Kenneth
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Died : 2011
Corporal Kenneth Lucas (deceased)
Ken Lucas joined the RAF in June 1940, and trained as ground crew for bomber Command. He was sent first to 49 Squadron at RAF Scampton, before transferring to 617 Squadron upon its formation, Involved in all the major servicing of the aircraft before the raid including fitting the motors that drove the belt that spun the bomb, and attaching the critical lamps to the underside of the aircraft. Sadly, Ken Lucas passed away in January 2011.
Signature Value : £30
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
+ Artist : Gerald Coulson


Signature(s) value alone : £140
£80 Off!Now : £120.00

Quantity:


Some other related items available from this site.

 The Avro Lancaster B MkIII ED932(G), AJ-G, of Wing Commander Guy Gibson was the first aircraft to make an attempt at breaching the Möhne Dam on the night of 16/17th of May 1943 as Operation Chastise got underway.  Having already made one 'sighting' run over the target, Gibson turned and began his second run, the flak and 20mm fire from the shore and from the towers of the dam now throwing up a hail of fire. Undeterred, the Upkeep mine was released, skipping across the water as planned, but striking the dam wall off centre with no visible effect. Gibson made several passes over the Möhne, each time escorting the attacking aircraft in an attempt to draw the enemy fire.  With the Möhne finally breached, he led the remaining aircraft on to the Eder dam with similar success before returning safely to Manston.

First Strike by Ivan Berryman.
 Part of the RAF Bomber offensive of night time raids over Germany, a Lancaster squadron not only dodge the German flak and searchlights but are also attacked by German night fighters. An Fw190 is shown about to attack a Lancaster bomber.

Predator by Keith Aspinall.
 Lancasters of No.15 Squadron are shown releasing their bombs during the attack against German armour that had amassed in and near the French village of Villers Bocage on 30th June 1944. ED395 (LS-M), piloted by Fl Off W Hall, is in the background with LM473 (LS-P) in the foreground, flown by Fl Sgt N Overend. The village was almost completely obliterated during the bombing raid and the operation was deemed a tactical success.

The Attack on Villers Bocage by Ivan Berryman.
 Tracer fire streaks past two Dambuster Lancasters of No.617 Sqn as the decisive Barnes-Wallace bouncing bomb skips towards the dam in the moonlit background. Fire from the already burning buildings lights up the front face of the dam and reflects off the aircraft as they throttle up to make good their escape.

Dambusters over the Mohne by Ivan Berryman.
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




Sergeant Raymond E. Grayston (deceased)
Died : 2010
*Signature Value : £65

Editions signed :

Signed limited edition of 450 prints.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs.
Signed limited edition of 450 prints.
**Signed limited edition of 450 prints. (One print reduced to clear)


Grayston, Raymond E
(Sergeant Raymond E. Grayston (deceased))

Ray Grayston had been serving in 50 Squadron when he was posted to 617 Squadron in March 1943. The flight engineer of Les Knights Lancaster AJ-N, they attacked and successfully breached the Eder Dam, Ray was shot down on 16th September 1943, and was taken to Stalag Luft III as a POW. Sadly, we have learned that Ray Grayston passed away on 15th April 2010.




Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM (deceased)
Died : 2022
*Signature Value : £45

Editions signed :

Signed limited edition of 450 prints.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs.
Signed limited edition of 450 prints.
**Signed limited edition of 450 prints. (One print reduced to clear)


Johnson, George L
(Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM (deceased))

Joining the RAF in 1940, George Johnson served with 97 Squadron before joining 617 Squadron. Bomb aimer on American Joe McCarthys Lancaster AJ-T, they attacked the Sorpe Dam, for which he was awarded the DFM. Commissioned a few months later, George retired from the RAF in 1962. The last surviving Dambuster, he died aged 101 on 7th December 2022.


Corporal Kenneth Lucas (deceased)
Died : 2011
*Signature Value : £30

Editions signed :

Signed limited edition of 450 prints.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs.
Signed limited edition of 450 prints.
**Signed limited edition of 450 prints. (One print reduced to clear)


Lucas, Kenneth
(Corporal Kenneth Lucas (deceased))

Ken Lucas joined the RAF in June 1940, and trained as ground crew for bomber Command. He was sent first to 49 Squadron at RAF Scampton, before transferring to 617 Squadron upon its formation, Involved in all the major servicing of the aircraft before the raid including fitting the motors that drove the belt that spun the bomb, and attaching the critical lamps to the underside of the aircraft. Sadly, Ken Lucas passed away in January 2011.




Captain Richard Todd OBE (deceased)
Died : 2009
*Signature Value : £30

Editions signed :

Limited edition of 50 artist proofs.


Todd, Richard
(Captain Richard Todd OBE (deceased))

Later a world famous actor - with a key role as Major John Howard in the D-Day film The Longest Day - Richard Todd jumped into Normandy with 7th Para at 0040 hours on June 6th 1944. Their immediate task was to support the holding of Pegasus Bridge against fierce German counterattacks. Originally commissioned into the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, he was seconded to The Parachute Regiment in 1943. In Normandy he transferred to 6th Airborne HO on D-Day +5 and stayed with them until September 1944 when they were withdrawn to England. He later took part in the Rhine crossing and subsequent fighting and the advance to meet the Russians at Wisman on the Baltic. His service with The Parachute Regiment ended in Palestine in 1946. He then returned to his career as an actor and producer, achieving fame for both film roles and stage performances, including the brilliant portrayal of Guy Gibson in the legendary Dam Busters film. Sadly, Richard Todd died on 4th December 2009 at the age of 90.
Squadrons Related to This Print
No.617 Sqn
Aircraft Related to This Print
Lancaster

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