Dambusters - Courage and Sacrifice

Flt Lt John Hopgood DFC* hauls his crippled Lancaster over the Mohne Dam after making the second bombing-run of Operation Chastise, 17th May 1943. The Lancaster, ED925, M for Mother, had been badly hit by flak on the way to the dam, but despite being injured along with other members of his crew, Hopgood decided to press on to the target. Unfortunately, having been alerted by Guy Gibson's first attack, the defences were ready and knew where the second attack was coming from. M for Mother flew into a sustained barrage of 20mm cannon shells and was repeatedly hit in the port wing and fuselage, catching fire just as the Upkeep was dropped. With the aircraft rapidly becoming uncontrollable, Hopgood managed to gain enough height to allow three of his crew to bale out, (two successfully), before the Lancaster exploded and crashed in pieces, taking the remaining crew members to their deaths. John Vere Hopgood was just 21 years old. 

 This painting is one I had in my head for a while and is a follow-up to our hugely successful 'Dambusters - The Opening Shots' print that sold out years ago.This is a return to the Mohne attack, this time depicting John Hopgood's valiant attempt where his Lancaster was repeatedly hit on the run-in to the target. I wanted to try to visualize how it must have been on the dam itself as this huge Lancaster roared over the crest of the Dam with the long stream of flames trailing from its port wing.In the cockpit you can see the crew members now turning their attention to saving their aircraft and in the nose you can see bomb-aimer John Fraser having just dropped the Upkeep now looking through his side window at the blazing port-inner engine. (Both Fraser and Tony Burcher in the rear turret managed to bale out successfully minutes later). 

Limited Edition of 270. 

1-200 Standard Edition signed by artist. £50 

50 Artist's Proofs signed by Artist. £65

Remarques may be available, please contact the artist for details.