THE DAWN PATROL
by Robert Taylor

A Limited Edition of 1000 this painting "The Dawn Patrol" portrays Billy Bishop and the pilots of 85 Squadron as they climb their SE5A fighters into the cool morning sunlight above the fields of Northern France. A tough Canadian, Billy Bishop was an outstanding fighter pilot endowed with great courage. Though he led 85 Sqn. with distinction, he preferred to fight his air combats single- handed. Indeed, he was awarded the Victoria Cross when, on one of his solitary forays he attacked an enemy airfield at dawn shooting down three aircraft as they took off. Unlike many of his contem- porary aces, Bishop survived the war and returned to Canada with 72 victories. Possibly the most beautiful of the First World War fighters, the SE5A was a stable flyer and popular with its pilots. This particular print is signed by three WWI SE5A fighter pilots: Gwilym Lewis, Chidlaw Roberts and P. B. Townsend.

RELEASED IN 1988 $650.00