Numbers 5 and 11 Squadron QRA Lightning's from RAF Binbrook intercept a Russian Tu-95 'Bear'. In the background a lone Victor Tanker holds station in readyness to support and top up the two thirsty Lightnings !

RAF Binbrook QRA, day or night, 24 hours a day 365 days a year, never a day off, always ready! Over and over again for so many years, Britain's Air Defences were regularly tested by Russian Tu-95 'Bears' as they probed NATO and U.K Air Defences from high above the North Sea!. Here in typical Rondot style, Michael has reproduced this common, although equally, very tense event! From an era of aviation that sadly no longer features the gloriously over powered and formidable English Electric Lightning, this striking image surely portrays the true aviation meaning of 'Cold War'.

The English Electric Lightning was the only British designed and built fighter capable of speeds in excess of Mach 2 to serve with the Royal Air Force. It evolved at a time when Britain led the way in aviation and it suffered at the hands of the government in the same way as did the industry which had created it. There is no doubt that the Lightning will go down in the history books as another classic British fighter. This superb new release from Michael Rondot is a wonderful tribute to the English Electric Lightning, to those who served on the Lightning squadrons and to the enthusiasts who have kept airframes either running or in airworthy condition.

The two aircraft depicted in this stunning new edition from Michael Rondot are XR728 - XS904. The two Lightning aircraft are now privately owned by the "Lightning Preservation Group". They are a group of enthusiasts based at Bruntingthorpe airfield near Leicester who are dedicated to maintaining two of the last few remaining English Electric Lightning aircraft in airworthy condition.

PRINT DETAILS

Primary Edition:

Each copy is signed and numbered by the artist and by three celebrated Lightning Pilots with a distinguished Falklands War Victor Pilot and a Fighter Controller:

LIGHTNING PILOTS

Marshal of the Royal Air Force
SIR KEITH WILLIAMSON GCB AFC
Commanding Officer No23 Squadron and Royal Air Force Gutersloh

Air Commodore
JOHN SPENCER CBE AFC
Commanding Officer No11 Squadron and Royal Air Force Binbrook.

Flight Lieutenant
IAN BLACK
No11 Squadron, LTF, the last RAF Lightning pilot
Ian still flies the Lightning from Thunder City, Cape Town

VICTOR TANKER PILOT
Squadron Leader
BOB TUXFORD AFC
Victor pilot 1970-1982, ETPS. Captain of Victor XL189, Black Buck 1

GCI FIGHTER CONTROLLER
Flight Lieutenant
CARL LAMB
Royal Air Force Neatishead.

Artist Proof Edition

Marshal of the Royal Air Force
SIR KEITH WILLIAMSON GCB AFC
Commanding Officer No23 Squadron and Royal Air Force Gutersloh

Air Commodore
JOHN SPENCER CBE AFC
Commanding Officer No11 Squadron and Royal Air Force Binbrook.

Squadron Leader
RON BLACKBURN MBE
No23 Squadron, 226 Operational Conversion Unit.

Squadron Leader
PETE BEDWIN MBE
No29 Squadron, No74 Squadron, 226 Operational Conversion Unit.

Air Commodore
BOB LIGHTFOOT AFC
No74 Squadron, 226 OCU, No29 Squadron, Officer Commanding No5 Squadron.

Group Captain
ED DURHAM
No74 Squadron, No23 Squadron, Officer Commanding No92 Squadron.

Group Captain
BRUCE HOPKINS AFC
Officer Commanding No23 Squadron.

Flight Lieutenant
IAN BLACK
No11 Squadron, LTF, the last RAF Lightning pilot.
Ian still flies the Lightning from Thunder City, Cape Town

VICTOR TANKER PILOTS
Squadron Leader
DICK RUSSELL AFC
Victor pilot 1962-1991. AAR pilot on Martin Withers’ Vulcan XM607, Black Buck 1.

Squadron Leader
BOB TUXFORD AFC
Victor pilot 1970-1982, ETPS. Captain of Victor XL189, Black Buck 1

GCI FIGHTER CONTROLLER
Flight Lieutenant
CARL LAMB
Royal Air Force Neatishead.

Please note : We will contact you after placing your order to ask which Squadron Badge you require for the Artist Proof Edition.

Remarque Edition

Signed by the artist Michael Rondot and countersigned by all of the above plus a free Squadron badge mini remarque pencil drawing of your choice and Remarque drawing of your choice.

Giclée Edition

Your chance to own a very special canvas Giclée edition of this amazing new release and the only opportunity to obtain the full-size reproduction of the sensational original painting.

Each print is accompanied with a matching numbered certificate of authenticity.

Overall Print Size 27 1/2"x 17 1/2" (inches) Printed in lightfast inks on acid free archival paper.

PRINT PRICES

Primary Edition
UK £95.00 Edition Size - 150

Artist Proof Edition
UK £150.00 Edition Size - 25

Remarque Edition
UK £235.00 Edition Size - 25

Canvas Giclee Edition
UK £375.00 Edition Size - 10

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When ordering remarque and artist proof editions, we recommend you email us first to advise on delivery details.

The Aviation Art Gallery accept most major credit and debit cards. Place your order online, or by telephone. If you wish to pay by cheque, or fax your order, please download our printable order form here.

info@aviationartgallery.co.uk

Tel: (01423) 867986 Overseas (44) 1423 867986

 

Helpful information regarding our Limited Edition Prints

Limited edition print:

An edition of identical prints, numbered sequentially and individually signed by the artist, having a stated limit to the quantity in the edition. Following publication the printing plates are destroyed. Almost all the aviation art and aircraft prints featured on this website are authenticated with the original signatures of distinguished military personnel.

Artists Proof:

An old tradition of reserving a quantity of prints for the artist's use, usually equal to about 10 % of the edition. In the early days of printing, these prints were the only remuneration the poor artist received. Proofs are signed by the artist and numbered showing the quantity of Artist's Proofs issued in the edition. Because of their highly restricted number, Artist's Proofs are sold at a higher value than the regular prints in the edition.

Publishers Proof:

A quantity of prints, not always announced or issued at the time of publication, usually equal to no more than 10% of the edition. These are reserved for the publisher's use, mostly for donation to Museums, Service establishments, Service Associations, and the like. Quantities of Publishers Proofs, sometimes issued with a supplementary print, may be made available to collectors either at the time of publication, or at a later date, depending upon availability.

Remarqued print:

A print issued with an original pencil drawing by the artist in the margin, each numbered out of the quantity of individually remarqued prints in the edition. The quantity of remarqued prints in any one edition generally is between 25 and 50. Each remarque drawing made by the artist is slightly different, thus making each print totally unique. Remarqued prints may be available at the time of publication, or announced at a later date, depending upon the artist's work load at the time .Please be aware that Remarque prints can take up to six weeks for delivery. An artist remarqued print is the ultimate collector item in terms of reproduced work.

Companion print:

An additional print, usually issued with smaller dimensions, published to compliment a limited edition, and usually issued at the same time.

Matted (or mounted) print:

A print fitted into an acid-free or conservation matt (or mount), ready for framing.

Original drawing:

An original work individually drawn by the artist, completed in pencil, ink, or other medium, and personally signed by the artist. Being an original work each drawing is unique and different.

Certificate of Authenticity:

A certificate issued by the publisher stating the total quantity of prints issued in the edition, confirming authenticity of the signatures, and in the case of a limited edition, inscribed with the matching unique number inscribed on the individual print. Collectors are advised to keep certificates safely as a future means of provenance. All our aviation art and aircraft prints are issued with a certificate of authenticity.

 

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