For those interested in Canadian Military History

[Aeneas]

Specifically RCAF WWII

I was recently gifted with a portfolio of war prints. It is entitled,

"RCAF The War Years WWII
Air Forces Reunion
Commemorating 40th Anniversary
Battle of Britain"

It is a set of 12 full colour reproductions from the original paintings.
The artist is Don Anderson, who was an official war artist with the RCAF.

I really like some of them and am grateful to have it. They appear to be in mint condition, never handled or framed. I will likely frame a couple to display here at my house. I have no idea if they are valuable or not, don't really care about that.

I know there are a few on this forum who share my interests in this sort of thing, and I am offering the prints that I do not want to display to someone who would appreciate them.

[Aeneas]

Some details:

1. Alouette 425 Squadron
2. Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI 416 Squadron
3. Halifax 6 RCAF group surveying Hamburg, VE day plus 2
4. Untitled. Looks to be a tail gunner doing maintenance on bomber's rear guns
5. 403 squadron Evere jan 1 1945
6. Rear gunner Halifax Mk 1
7. Incredible "action" shot. Named Canadian airman taking off under fire 416 squadron, Evere, Belgium. Likely keeping this one!
8. Lancaster Mk X 431 squadron, Craft (Croft) Yorkshire
9. B 90 Petit-Brogel Belgium
10. Beaufighters 404 squadron taking off for Norway. Banff, Scotland. Likely keeper.
11. Night Intruder, deHavilland Mosquito (looks to be flying over Dover Cliffs) Am quite fond.
12. After The rain, 'Tusker" (?) squadron, Ceylon.

So, if you have or had a relative in one of those squadrons you may be interested in a print. Let me know. I received these from the son of an airman in 425 squadron.

[cDnStealth]

How much were you wanting for them? I'd possibly be interested in the Spitfire one. How big are they?

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by cDnStealth

How much were you wanting for them? I'd possibly be interested in the Spitfire one. How big are they?

I don't want anything for them.

I will measure them in the intermission.

31cm x 41cm

[Peanut]

My husband would be interested for sure. But I don't think we have any relatives from any of those squadrons so I would defer to those that might. But would be interested in one or two for sure!!

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by Peanut

My husband would be interested for sure. But I don't think we have any relatives from any of those squadrons so I would defer to those that might. But would be interested in one or two for sure!!

I want them to go to good homes! Sure it would be great if relatives of airmen got them, but I know you guys and am happy to have him have a look at them.

[sparky69]

I would love a painting as I'm a huge ww2 buff. Please let me know thank you

[CaptainCrunch]

My Grandfather was a radio operator in a Lancaster Squadron, unfortunately I've never been able to dig up his service record, and he's a mystery to my family and my dad because he decided to not come home at the end of the war.

If the Lancaster one goes unspoken for, it might make a nice gift for my dad.

Those are cool. My family history is in the army/navy...so think they would find better homes.
CC: Have you tried looking very hard? I've had some luck in finding family histories. If you want me to give it a try, you can send me a pm with some of his details? i love doing stuff like that.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Oh man, I'd be interested in the Lancaster Squadron one. Not only are they a very cool aircraft, my Uncle was a tail gunner in one during the war.

Recently got to check out the inside of the one in Nanton. Talked to one of the guys that was going on the flight across the Atlantic in one of the last airworthy ones (based in Ontario) as part of an airshow tour in Europe.

[MoneyGuy]

I'd take number 3, Hamburg. I don't live in Calgary but I'll pay to have it sent to me if you choose to give it up.

[Aeneas]

I tried to google the artist to post a representative picture of a print...and this thread came up as one of the first search items. I find that funny.

May have to take a picture and try that way.

[ken0042]

If you have a chance to scan them and post them, I think that would be awesome.

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by ken0042

If you have a chance to scan them and post them, I think that would be awesome.

I have a computer, I have a scanner. However the odds of those items being used by me to post a picture are slim!

The technology inside a Lancaster is more my speed.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Puxlut

Those are cool. My family history is in the army/navy...so think they would find better homes.
CC: Have you tried looking very hard? I've had some luck in finding family histories. If you want me to give it a try, you can send me a pm with some of his details? i love doing stuff like that.

I appreciate it, the issue is that my dad doesn't want to talk about his dad a whole lot, so the details are skimpy. It comes down to taking the time to go through the British war diary archives to find the specific unit, its on my summer project list, I have to find a way to finesse my hard headed dad for some additional info without upsetting him.

Don't get me wrong, my Dad is proud of his Dads war service, but there are a lot of old wounds for him in terms of being put out on the streets at a young age because of a father who decided that staying in Europe was more important then coming home and having a mother who was damaged.

[Doodlebug]

Wonder how common of an occurrence that was, married servicemen not coming back home from Europe after the war. I can imagine a few opted to stay in GB.

[Dion_Iggy_Kipper!!!]

I would be interested in one too. I'm a war buff and so is my father so I may just forward it on to him. Please let me know.

[habernac]

Great stuff, my grandfather piloted a Wellington in the 612 Squadron

[IgiTang]

As a Shipborne Air Controller (SAC) and with a few hours of stick time under my belt in a H3(Sea King), I would love to get my hands on some of that vintage stuff!

I would be willing to take anything I could get my hands on.

Edit: even though I'm an air controller for Canada's oldest piece of active kit and its almost ww2 vintage now. Hah

[firebug]

If there are not images of these available online, as a hobbyist photographer, I would be willing to shoot them for you to provide a digital archive.

While I've not done repro work previously, it would be a fun challenge and one that I'm fairly well equipped to do.