Military Antiques Stockholm - Top
Display your banner here
Results 1 to 9 of 9

Battle of Britain Souvenir

Article about: An old saying holds that "The French fight for glory, the English fight for land, and the Americans fight for souvenirs." While there is no doubt truth to this observation, may I n

  1. #1
    ?

    Default Battle of Britain Souvenir

    An old saying holds that "The French fight for glory, the English fight for land, and the Americans fight for souvenirs."

    While there is no doubt truth to this observation, may I note that the British were also quite good at collecting souvenirs, and what follows in an excellent example of that fact.


    Below is a painting by Geoff Nutkins, the legend for which reads "Smoke rises from the wreckage of a Dornier Do 17 bomber, part of a force sent to attack RAF Kenley on 18th August 1940. The Dornier was brought down near Biggin Hill by Sergeant Ron Brown of No.111 Squadron, whose Hurricane flies low overhead.

    Battle of Britain Souvenir
    Eagle Day - Scenes of the Battle of Britain - Aviation Art by Geoff Nutkins

    This is then a photograph of the actual Do-17 that was shot down. Notice any obvious differences?

    Battle of Britain Souvenir

    Well, in the painting the swastika on the tail is evident. In the photograph the swastika has been cut out and no doubt rests somewhere today in a Great Britain collection, such as that at The Shoreham Aircraft Museum - Exhibits which houses several pieces of this bomber. As a matter of fact, I'm told that guards had to be posted to keep out the souvenir hunters.

    Fortunately, before the guards got there, some souvenirs ended up in the hands of certain craftsman that prepared desk displays such as that which follows:


    Battle of Britain SouvenirBattle of Britain SouvenirBattle of Britain Souvenir
    Battle of Britain SouvenirBattle of Britain Souvenir

    I purchased this off ebay about 15 years ago. Those were the days.

    Incidentally, all crew members of the Do-17 survived and August 18, 1940 is referred to as "The Hardest Day". An excellent book by that name was authored by Alfred Price.
    Click to enlarge the picture Click to enlarge the picture Battle of Britain Souvenir   Battle of Britain Souvenir  

    Last edited by Luft44; 02-07-2014 at 11:13 PM.

  2. #2
    ?

    Default

    Nice little display piece..The painting is very nice. The photo is good too it is the first war time photo were I have seen eletric pylons in the background!!Something you don't really think about? but they must have been there?.Thanks again Terry.

  3. #3

    Lightbulb

    Quote by Tango View Post
    eletric pylons in the background!!Something you don't really think about?
    They certainly were - dangerously close to some airfields, too ( such as Little Staughton where at least one Mosquito fell victim to them ) and of course more than one 'Dambuster' Lanc was brought down by pylons on the Continent.

    Back to topic - that is a very nice contemporary BofB souvenir !

  4. #4

    Default

    A nice little piece of history, thanks for posting it. Leon.

  5. #5

    Default

    Very nice , I like those "mixed" finds.
    Take good care of it !

  6. #6

    Default

    this is known as Lamberty's dornier,he was the pilot.shot down in a attack at low level on Kenley airfield.

  7. #7

    Default

    Great painting and very interesting Souvenir!....

  8. #8
    ?

    Default

    Based upon harryamb2's reference to this being Lamberty's Dornier, I dug a bit more into Geoff Nutkins' site (the artist of the print) and determined the following:

    "The Dornier crashed and burned-out at Leaves Green, near Biggin Hill at 1.30pm. Hptmn J. Roth (Staffelkapitän) and Oberlt R.Lamberty were captured badly burned. Hptmn G. Peters and Oberfw V. Geier baled out too low and were captured badly injured in heavy landings. Fw H Eberhard deployed his parachute whilst still in the aircraft and baled out very low but amazingly landed unhurt."

    I also noticed what could be the tail swastika on the back wall of the Shoreham Aircraft Museum. Though small and hard to distinguish, here's the pic. Again my thanks to all for your input! There are few things better than to be able to establish a detailed provenance on a piece.

    Battle of Britain Souvenir

  9. #9

    Default

    you'r welcome Luft44.

Similar Threads

  1. 01-31-2013, 09:53 PM
  2. Need Help! Battle of Britain aircrafts

    In Doc's, paper items, photos, propaganda
    10-25-2012, 03:21 PM
  3. Battle Britain re dig

    In Battlefield history and relics
    11-01-2011, 12:52 AM
  4. Battle of Britain... 'a few'.

    In Battlefield history and relics
    08-15-2010, 05:03 PM
  5. Untold Battle of Britain

    In Aviation history
    06-29-2010, 08:17 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Adlermilitaria - Down
Display your banner here