Cranston Military Prints .com Home Page
Customer Helpline (UK) : 01436 820269
Subscribe to our Newsletter!

You currently have no items in your basket

Payment Options Display
Buy with confidence and security!
Publishing historical art since 1985

Navigation Menus
Military
Art Index 		Aviation
Art Index 		Naval
Art Index 		Artists
Index
Product Search         
Aviation
History Archive 		Naval
History Archive
HALF PRICE AND FREE PRINT SPECIAL OFFERS
ALWAYS GREAT OFFERS :
20% FURTHER PRICE REDUCTIONS ON HUNDREDS OF LIMITED EDITION ART PRINTS
BUY ONE GET ONE HALF PRICE ON THOUSANDS OF PAINTINGS AND PRINTS
FOR MORE OFFERS SIGN UP TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Return of the Pathfinders by Anthony Saunders. - Cranston Military Prints

Return of the Pathfinders by Anthony Saunders.


Return of the Pathfinders by Anthony Saunders.

Never had there been an aircraft like the de Havilland Mosquito; constructed almost entirely of wood with two Merlin engines bolted under each wing it could outrun any other piston-engine fighter in the world. Only when the Luftwaffe's Me262 jet came on the scene did the enemy have anything of such speed but, unlike the Me262, the Mosquito - nicknamed the 'Wooden Wonder' - was perhaps the most versatile aircraft of World War II. Allied squadrons operated Mosquitos in a huge number of roles including both day and night-bombers, night-fighter, as a ship-buster with Coastal Command, bomber support, photo-reconnaissance and, thanks to its speed and manoeuvrability as one of the finest intruders of the war. Mosquitos carried out some of the most dangerous and daring low-level pinpoint precision strikes ever seen and, of course, as part of the RAF's elite Pathfinder force. Formed in 1942 and led by the inspirational Don Bennett, perhaps the finest navigator in aviation history who became the youngest Air Vice-Marshal in the RAF, the Pathfinders were Bomber Command's specialist target-marking squadrons who, flying ahead of the main bomber force, located and identified their assigned targets with flares. Return of the Pathfinders depicts the Pathfinder Mosquitos of 139 (Jamaica) Squadron, a unit that had joined Bomber Command's No 8 (Pathfinder) Group in July 1943. Dawn breaks over a crisp, icy landscape in a burst of colour that illuminates the Mosquitos as they follow the course of the River Great Ouse on their return to RAF Upwood after a long overnight trip to Germany in early 1944. During a period that began on the night of 20 / 21st February 1944 this particular squadron undertook a series of 36 consecutive night attacks on Berlin.
Item Code : DHM6617APReturn of the Pathfinders by Anthony Saunders. - Editions Available
DESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASINGPACKS
Signed limited edition of 325 prints. Image size 23.5 inches x 16.5 inches (60cm x 42cm) Paper size 30 inches x 24 inches (76cm x 61cm)
Oatley, Ken
Flying Officer Ken Oatley
As a Navigator, Ken was due to fly four-engined Bombers, but was transferred to 627 Squadron on Mosquitoes for the Pathfinder Force of 8 Group. Ken was the lead marker in the bombing of Dresden February 1945.
Signature Value : £10
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Dunn, George
Died : 2024
Flight Lieutenant George Dunn DFC (deceased)
A Pilot, he flew 30 operations in Halifaxes and then 14 missions as a Pathfinder to Berlin in Mosquitoes. He passed away on the 29th of April 2024 at age 100.
Signature Value : £30
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Foinette, Eric
Died : 2014
Pilot Officer Eric Foinette (deceased)
Eric joined the RAF in 1940 and trained as an Observer. Commissioned in 1941 he would be posted to 12 Squadron in 1942 flying Wellingtons. On his 10th Operation in February of that year his Wellington would be shot down over Denmark. Fortunately all 5 of the crew bailed out safely and would become POWs. Eric was initially sent to Oflag IX-A/H at Spangenberg before being moved to the infamous Stalag Luft III some 3 months later. He would remain here until 1945 and witness the aftermath of the Gre
Signature Value : £40
FULL PROFILE UNAVAILABLE
 
Curtis, Des
Flight Lieutenant Des Curtis DFC
Originally a Wireless Operator / Gunner with No.235 Sqn on Beaufighters before converting to Mosquitos as a Navigator. He helped form 618 Sqn for ops against the Tirpitz, and then had success against U-boat pens om the French coast. In September 1944 he joined 248 Sqn Banff Strike Wing in Scotland.
Signature Value : £35
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Anthony Saunders

Signature(s) value alone : £115		£120.00

Quantity:
Signed limited edition of 25 prints. Image size 23.5 inches x 16.5 inches (60cm x 42cm) Paper size 30 inches x 24 inches (76cm x 61cm)
Oatley, Ken
Flying Officer Ken Oatley
As a Navigator, Ken was due to fly four-engined Bombers, but was transferred to 627 Squadron on Mosquitoes for the Pathfinder Force of 8 Group. Ken was the lead marker in the bombing of Dresden February 1945.
Signature Value : £10
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Dunn, George
Died : 2024
Flight Lieutenant George Dunn DFC (deceased)
A Pilot, he flew 30 operations in Halifaxes and then 14 missions as a Pathfinder to Berlin in Mosquitoes. He passed away on the 29th of April 2024 at age 100.
Signature Value : £30
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Foinette, Eric
Died : 2014
Pilot Officer Eric Foinette (deceased)
Eric joined the RAF in 1940 and trained as an Observer. Commissioned in 1941 he would be posted to 12 Squadron in 1942 flying Wellingtons. On his 10th Operation in February of that year his Wellington would be shot down over Denmark. Fortunately all 5 of the crew bailed out safely and would become POWs. Eric was initially sent to Oflag IX-A/H at Spangenberg before being moved to the infamous Stalag Luft III some 3 months later. He would remain here until 1945 and witness the aftermath of the Gre
Signature Value : £40
FULL PROFILE UNAVAILABLE
 
Curtis, Des
Flight Lieutenant Des Curtis DFC
Originally a Wireless Operator / Gunner with No.235 Sqn on Beaufighters before converting to Mosquitos as a Navigator. He helped form 618 Sqn for ops against the Tirpitz, and then had success against U-boat pens om the French coast. In September 1944 he joined 248 Sqn Banff Strike Wing in Scotland.
Signature Value : £35
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Anthony Saunders

Signature(s) value alone : £120		£195.00

Quantity:


Some other related items available from this site.

George Parry joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve before the Second World War broke out, joining No.110 Sqn flying Blenheims as his first post once war was declared. He completed this tour and after a year in a training squadron, joined No.105 Sqn flying the Mosquito. Parry led the successful mission to attack the Gestapo HQ in Oslo, and completed his tour with No.105 Sqn in 1943. He took up various roles in Bomber Command and training squadrons until leaving the RAF in 1947. He is depicted here in Mosquito Mk.IV GB-G of No.105 Sqn in June 1942, against the backdrop of sunlit cloud tops. He went on to become an engineer, retiring in 1979 - he had been awarded the Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross and was a Member of the British Empire. George Parry died in 1999.

Tribute to George Parry by Ivan Berryman. 		Mosquitos of 105 Squadron, Marham. No. 105 Squadron, stationed at Marham, Norfolk, became the first Royal Air Force unit to become operational flying the Mosquito B. Mk. IV bomber on 11th April 1942. The painting shows 105 Squadron on the raid of 10th April 1945, to the Wahren railway marshalling yards at Leipzig, Germany.

Return From Leipzig by Anthony Saunders. 		On 18th February 1944, nineteen De Havilland Mosquito Mk.VIs and one photo-reconnaissance aircraft took off on a mission to attempt to free 120 French patriots being held captive by the Nazis in the prison at Amiens. Codenamed <i>Operation Jericho</i>, the attack on the jail was to be carried out in up to three waves - the first to break the prison walls in two places, the second to bomb the main building and a third standing by, should either of the first two fail. The mission was a complete success despite some losses on the ground and two aircraft destroyed. Here, the iconic moment is captured as a pair of Mosquitoes of 487 Sqn are seen breaching the wall at 12.03 hours.

The Jericho Boys by Ivan Berryman. 		With their twin Merlins singing at full power, Mk FBV1 Mosquitos of 464 Squadron RAAF present a menacing picture as they set out on a precision low level mission, their streamlined, shark-like shapes silhouetted against the evening glow. Below, the tranquillity of a snow covered English coastal village is briefly disturbed as the Mosquito crews head into the night.

Mosquitos at Dusk by Nicolas Trudgian
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


Flying Officer Ken Oatley
*Signature Value : £10

Editions signed :

Signed limited edition of 325 prints.
Signed limited edition of 25 prints.


Oatley, Ken
(Flying Officer Ken Oatley)

As a Navigator, Ken was due to fly four-engined Bombers, but was transferred to 627 Squadron on Mosquitoes for the Pathfinder Force of 8 Group. Ken was the lead marker in the bombing of Dresden February 1945.


Flight Lieutenant George Dunn DFC (deceased)
Died : 2024
*Signature Value : £30

Editions signed :

Signed limited edition of 325 prints.
Signed limited edition of 25 prints.


Dunn, George
(Flight Lieutenant George Dunn DFC (deceased))

A Pilot, he flew 30 operations in Halifaxes and then 14 missions as a Pathfinder to Berlin in Mosquitoes. He passed away on the 29th of April 2024 at age 100.


Pilot Officer Eric Foinette (deceased)
Died : 2014
*Signature Value : £40

Editions signed :

Signed limited edition of 325 prints.
Signed limited edition of 25 prints.


Foinette, Eric
(Pilot Officer Eric Foinette (deceased))

Eric joined the RAF in 1940 and trained as an Observer. Commissioned in 1941 he would be posted to 12 Squadron in 1942 flying Wellingtons. On his 10th Operation in February of that year his Wellington would be shot down over Denmark. Fortunately all 5 of the crew bailed out safely and would become POWs. Eric was initially sent to Oflag IX-A/H at Spangenberg before being moved to the infamous Stalag Luft III some 3 months later. He would remain here until 1945 and witness the aftermath of the Great Escape. He died in July 2014.


Flight Lieutenant Des Curtis DFC
*Signature Value : £35

Editions signed :

Signed limited edition of 325 prints.


Curtis, Des
(Flight Lieutenant Des Curtis DFC)

Originally a Wireless Operator / Gunner with No.235 Sqn on Beaufighters before converting to Mosquitos as a Navigator. He helped form 618 Sqn for ops against the Tirpitz, and then had success against U-boat pens om the French coast. In September 1944 he joined 248 Sqn Banff Strike Wing in Scotland.


Flight Lieutenant Des Curtis DFC
*Signature Value : £35

Editions signed :

Signed limited edition of 25 prints.


Curtis, Des
(Flight Lieutenant Des Curtis DFC)

Originally a Wireless Operator / Gunner with No.235 Sqn on Beaufighters before converting to Mosquitos as a Navigator. He helped form 618 Sqn for ops against the Tirpitz, and then had success against U-boat pens om the French coast. In September 1944 he joined 248 Sqn Banff Strike Wing in Scotland.
Squadrons Related to This Print
No.139 Sqn
Aircraft Related to This Print
Mosquito

Contact Details
Shipping Info
Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy
Privacy Policy

Sign Up To Our Newsletter!

Stay up to date with all our latest offers, deals and events as well as new releases and exclusive subscriber content!

This website is owned by Cranston Fine Arts.  Torwood House, Torwoodhill Road, Rhu, Helensburgh, Scotland, G848LE

Contact: Tel: (+44) (0) 1436 820269.  Email: cranstonorders -at- outlook.com

Return to Home Page