Desert Sharks

Robert Taylor

Overall Print Size: 21" x 16"
Edition: 90
Subject: P-40 Kittyhawks of 112 Squadron

A fine Limited Edition from Robert Taylor, whose evocative pencil drawing commemorates the Curtis P40 and the pilots of the Allied Air Forces who flew it with such heroic distinction throughout World War II.

One of the stalwarts of the long hot Desert Air War, the Curtis P40 Kittyhawk was flown with extraordinary verve and courage not only by the pilots of the RAF, but also those of the Royal Australian, Canadian, and South African Air Forces. The renowned Curtis P40 Warhawk was, by the time of Pearl Harbor in December 1941, numerically the most important American fighter aircraft and had already been supplied to the RAF in mid 1940, where it was designated first the Tomahawk, and later versions the Kittyhawk. This classic aircraft remained in continuous front line service and flew in most theatres of operation throughout World War II.

Robert Taylor's highly restricted edition has been issued specially to pay tribute to this fine robust warbird, and to all the courageous fighter pilots who flew it. The wonderfully evocative drawing depicts a P40 Kittyhawk of 112 Squadron RAF, flown by their CO Squadron Leader Clive Caldwell, the top scoring Australian fighter pilot of the war, seen over the coast of Libya in late 1941. 112 Squadron had already been in the thick of the action throughout Wavell's early encounters in the Western Desert, then in the fighting and eventual withdrawal from Greece, before returning to the Western Desert in 1941. At this time they also adopted the famous shark's teeth marking by which it was known thereafter.

Each print in Robert Taylor's Limited Edition, Desert Sharks, is signed by Squadron Leader Neville Duke DSO DFC*.

£110.00