THE FINAL SHOW
by Robert Taylor

In May 1944 Wing Commander Roland ‘Bee’ Beamont led three squadrons of Hawker Tempests into operations for the first time. Flying from RAF Newchurch in Kent, one of the advanced landing grounds constructed in preparation for the invasion of France, they formed 150 Wing RAF.

The far-sighted Beamont had almost single- handedly overseen the transformation of the Hawker Typhoon into the most potent ground attack aircraft of its day before turning his attention to its successor – the Tempest. With thinner wings, greater range, improved ailerons, a redesigned windscreen and all-round ‘rear vision’ canopy it was a significant improvement on the Typhoon.

Once again the world’s most collected aviation artist has produced an astounding work that is set to become the defining image of the Hawker Tempest. Some of the greatest pilots of the RAF flew this iconic aircraft and Robert has depicted the final combat of the war for one such pilot – the legendary fighter Ace Pierre Clostermann.

A Flight Commander with 3 Squadron, Clostermann is at the controls of his distinctive Tempest ‘Le Grand Charles’ during a strafing raid against the heavily-defended seaplane base at Grossenbrode, on the coast to the north of Lübeck. Having just destroyed two Dornier Do18 flying boats on the water, he now helps finish off a Bf109 and a Fw190 that have tried to pounce from above.

Overall Print Size: 34” wide x 24½” high
Image Size: 27½” wide x 17” high

With the prints signed by distinguished veterans who flew Typhoons and Tempests in combat during World War II, this historic release will become highly prized by aviation art collectors and history enthusiasts everywhere.