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Ruhr Express
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Robert Bailey
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Size: 40" x 24"
Edition: 400
Subject: Lancaster over a German railway station.
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November 22, 1943, in the outskirts of Berlin, Germany. Two German officers and their lady friends arrive at a railway station. Before German guards have time to check their papers, the Lancaster 'Ruhr Express' arrives overhead during its dash back to England. Its running on three engines and the aircraft has trouble sustaining altitude.
The Avro Lancaster bomber was an awesome weapon of war. Developed from the Avro Manchester, the Lancaster came to represent the will of Commonwealth nations to carry the air war into Germany and occupied Europe. Able to carry four times the bomb load of a B-17, it flew by night across enemy territory, defying the Luftwaffe and destroying factories and cities.
KB700 'Ruhr Express' was the first Canadian-built Lancaster, and flew with 405 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force. Designated Q for Queenie, it was flown from Canada to England by Reg Lane, who then became C/O of 405 Squadron.
On the night of November 22, 1943, P/O H. A. Floren turned 'Ruhr Express' away from Berlin when the port outer engine failed. On December 20, the aircraft was transferred to 419 Squadron, R.C.A.F., which already had started to convert to Canadian-built Lancasters. It was thought that there were too many differences between the British- and Canadian-built Lancasters, causing maintenance problems. So they were separated for logistical reasons. 'Ruhr Express' ended up being totally destroyed when it struck a ground vehicle during landing. The crew survived.
Each print in Robert Bailey's Limited Edition, Ruhr Express, is signed by Air Vice Marshall reg Lane DSO DFC CD and 7 other Lancaster aircrew.
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£105.00
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