"The Channel Dash" by Robert Taylor. Me109s of JG-2 fly low escort above the mighty German Warships. In company with a flotilla of escort vessels, the fleet is led by the ‘Scharnhorst’ followed by the ‘Gneisenau’ with the ‘ Prinz Eugen’ steaming up behind, as they round the tip of the Cherbourg Peninsula at dawn on the morning of February 12, 1942.</font>

* screen colors may vary from print colors

Print Size: 33" X 25"

THE CHANNEL DASH

by Robert Taylor

On January 1st 1942, at just 29 years of age, Adolf Galland was given full command of the Luftwaffe’s Fighter Arm. Almost immediately Hitler gave his young General the onerous task of providing air cover for one of the most daring naval operations of World War II. Coded Operation Cerberus, the pride of the German Navy – the two battlecruisers ‘Gneisenau’ and ‘Scharnhorst’ and the cruiser ‘Prinz Eugen’ – were ordered to leave the French port of Brest and make a dash through the dangerous straits of the English Channel, to the relative safety of the Elbe estuary.

The battle fleet would pass within a few miles of the British coast, within easy striking distance of the RAF; secrecy, careful planning, ample air cover and the element of surprise would be the key components of the exercise. “Everything depends on the air umbrella with which you have to cover the naval units”, Hitler told Galland.

That a commander so young should be given such responsibility directly and personally by the Führer, speaks volumes for the esteem in which General Galland was held by the German High Command. So successful was the air protection afforded by Galland’s pilots that the entire fleet made it through one of the narrowest, most difficult and heavily defended straits in the world. The Channel Dash is remembered today as one of the most remarkable air-sea adventures of World War II and was described by Galland as one of the most important and successful operations of his career.

Seen in Robert’s painting are Messerschmitt Me109s of JG-2 as they fly low escort above the mighty German Warships. In company with a flotilla of escort vessels, the fleet is led by the ‘Scharnhorst’ followed by the ‘Gneisenau’ with the ‘ Prinz Eugen’ steaming up behind, as they round the tip of the Cherbourg Peninsula at dawn on the morning of February 12, 1942.

Four Knight’s Cross holders, two JG-2 Me109 pilots and two German Navy crew who sailed with the Channel Dash fleet have joined the General in signing this historic edition making this one of the most collectable limited edition prints ever published.

We have ONE COPY of this sold out print (Inform Art Value, Summer 2005 - $2415 - $3335). Our print is a rare "presentation proof." This version of the print was given to the signers and other VIPs involved with the project. The print comes with a certificate of authenticity and informative flyer.

Signed by the artist Robert Taylor and FIVE holders of the Knight’s Cross:
General Adolf Galland
Major Gerhard Schopfel
Korvettenkapitan Friedrich-Karl Paul
Oberleutnant Adolf Glunz
Oberleutnant-zur-See Gerd-Dietrich Schneider

OUR PRICE: $1800.00 - SOLD

The name Robert Taylor has been synonymous with aviation art over a quarter of a century. His paintings of aircraft, more than those of any other artist, have helped popularize a genre which at the start of this remarkable artist's career had little recognition in the world of fine art. When he burst upon the scene in the mid-1970s his vibrant, expansive approach to the subject was a revelation. His paintings immediately caught the imagination of enthusiasts and collectors alike . He became an instant success.

Robert's aviation paintings are instantly recognizable. He somehow manages to convey all the technical detail of aviation in a traditional and painterly style, reminiscent of the Old Masters. With uncanny ability, he is able to recreate scenes from the past with a carefully rehearsed realism that few other artists ever manage to achieve. This is partly due to his prodigious research but also his attention to detail: Not for him shiny new factory-fresh aircraft looking like museum specimens. His trade mark, flying machines that are battle-scarred, worse for wear, with dings down the fuselage, chips and dents along the leading edges of wings, oil stains trailing from engine cowlings, paintwork faded with dust and grime; his planes are real!

Robert's aviation works have drawn crowds in the international arena since the early 1980s. He has exhibited throughout the US and Canada, Australia, Japan and in Europe. His one-man exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC was hailed as the most popular art exhibition ever held there. His paintings hang in many of the world's great aviation museums, adorn boardrooms, offices and homes, and his limited edition prints are avidly collected all around the world.

Legendary aviation artist Robert Taylor

Bio and photograph courtesy of the Military Gallery.

VValor Studios has the aviation art of John D. Shaw featuring John D. Shaw's Blacksheep Squadron, John D. Shaw's Hornet's Nest print signed by the Doolittle Raiders, John D. Shaw's Band of Brothers print We Were a Band of Brothers, John D. Shaw's By The Dawn's Early Light, John D. Shaw's The Warrior and the Wolfpack, and John D. Shaw's They Fought With What They Had. We also carry the work of Jim Dietz, including his new print "Silencing the Guns", which shows the men of Easy Company, better known as the Band of Brothers. The print is hand signed by Major Dick Winters, leader of Easy Company, along with Buck Compton, Bill Guarnere, and Don Malarkey. Dick Winters was instrumental in this project. Dick Winters also autographed each print. Dick Winters proudly said Silencing the Guns represents his legacy. Dick Winters also signed We Were a Band of Brothers by John D. Shaw.