WW1 RFC / German Balloon Buster- Robert Taylor - NICE!

Description

You are bidding on a BEAUTIFUL print titled "Balloon Buster" by Robert Taylor
From a limited edition of 419/600 this auction features a VERY NICE print by Robert Taylor.
Just before eight a.m. on the morning of 29 August, 1918, Flight Lieutenant Henry Botterell climbed his 208 Squadron Sop with Camel out of a forward airfield at Tramecourt, in northern France. Carrying four bombs, he headed west southwest towards his target at Vitry, just over 50 miles distant, and well into enemy occupied territory.
Some 35 minutes into his mission, flying at around 100 mph at 12,000 feet he noticed a German observation balloon as he passed over Arras, and made a mental note to give it his attention on the return journey. Arriving over Vitry he dropped his bombs in the area of the railway station in an effort to disrupt communications, and headed back on the reciprocal course. As he passed to the north of Arras he could see the ground crew furiously winching the balloon down, and although aware of the danger of attacking normally heavily defended balloon installations, couldn't resist the opportunity to make an attack.
Putting his Camel into a dive he swooped down pumping some 400 rounds into the target. With the balloon now hauled down around 1000 feet, the observer aboard had just seconds to make his escape, leaping from his basket and pulling at his parachute in the same motion.
Robert Taylor's fine painting captures the scene a few moments later: the balloon is aflame, the basket and a tangle of ropes and guys, binoculars, telescopes and maps plummeting towards the ground. The observer's parachute snaps open, as Henry Botterell banks his fighter clear of his victim - close enough to see the fear in his eyes that he too may fall victim to the Camel's guns. However, in the traditions of gallantry that prevailed among World War I fighter pilots, Henry merely waved a salute before heading back to base - no sense in waiting around to identify whether the other aircraft that had suddenly appeared were friend or foe. Below the drama, the rolling landscape of northern France unfolds, pockmarked with bomb craters yet tranquil in its natural rural beauty.
A very rare opportunity for aviation art enthusiasts and collectors to acquire a print by Robert Taylor individually hand-signed by a First World War fighter pilot: Henry Botterell, who at the time of signing was 100 years of age and believed to be the last living fighter pilot of all nations who fought in the First Great War.
This item has been stored FLAT since 1998, however it has some slight wear and creases, as shown in the photos, and may have some slight wear on the edges, not seen in the photographs.
Measuring approx. 24" x 34" in size, it would make a PERFECT addition to any collection or display!!
Please email me if you need additional photos or information.
------------------- PAYMENT -----------------
Payment should be made within 7 business days at the end of the auction unless buyer contacts me for other arrangements. I accept all forms of payment.
------------------- SHIPPING -----------------
My goal is to ship within 7 days from auction end. However, depending on circumstances, it may take up to an additional 1 week from receipt of confirmed payment. If you need it shipped sooner, please let me know and I will do our best to accommodate.
------------------- TERMS OF
SALE
-----------------
Most of my items are vintage, and as such are AS-IS, so you must therefore expect a degree of wear due to age and/or usage. I will describe each auction to the best of my knowledge and take as many photos necessary to ensure you are pleased upon receiving your item. All sales are final, so please make sure your questions are answered to your satisfaction before you purchase.
------------------- ABOUT ME -----------------
Although my passion is the Me109, I do offer many other German Aircraft (Fw190, Me262, etc.), as well as USAF and Japanese items. Occasionally I do offer many non-vintage items such as prints and art relating to the time period. As a private collector myself, I am constantly on the lookout for historical memorabilia, authentic photographs, artwork or anything unique relating to military aircraft.
------------------- COPYRIGHT -----------------
All pictures and descriptions used in my auctions under COPYRIGHT and I forbid the use of these photos and information in any manner such as paper or electronic (internet) publications or otherwise. Use is solely based on my authorization only.