“Preparing for Action” by Robert Taylor

The Hawker Hurricane is perhaps best known for its exploits alongside the Supermarine Spitfire in the epic air struggle known as the “Battle of Britain” in the autumn of 1940. The Hurricane was a formidable gun platform, mounting no fewer than eight .303 caliber machine guns within its wings, making it a most useful weapon in all theaters of war. In “Preparing for Action”, Robert Taylor gives us a rare glimpse into a little-known area of flight operations; East Africa. Royal Navy Hurricanes of Fleet Air Arm Squadron 877 were based at Port Reitz, Mombassa, Kenya for anti-submarine patrols in the Indian Ocean. Here, a Sea Hurricane, equipped with tailhook, tropical dust filter, and underwing depth charges readies for a mission. The ground crew will momentarily attach the portable generator (foreground) and begin the starting sequence for the plane’s mighty Rolls Royce Merlin engine. This is a remarkably rare print, #19 in an edition of only 25 worldwide. Signed by Commander Mike Crosley, DSC, who flew Hurricanes in the defense of Malta, the invasion of North Africa, the D-Day invasion, and the Far East. more >>

$600.00