Daring Manoeuvres by Robert Taylor

Unlocked from the extensive archives of the Military Gallery and previously unseen, Robert Taylor’s painting Daring Manoeuvres captures a deft moment during the distinguished career of the late Johnny Baldwin, the RAF’s highest-scoring Typhoon Ace of World War II. It happened on Wednesday 20th January 1943, the day on which, flying a Typhoon with 609 Squadron, he scored his first victories during an encounter with enemy fighters over southern England.

Despite the Blitz having long been over, London remained a tempting target for the Luftwaffe and on 20 January 1943 his squadron was part of a force that intercepted the second of three large waves of Bf109s and Fw190s making a daylight attack on the capital. During the encounter with Bf109s from 6./JG26 Baldwin gave a glimpse of his natural flying abilities, his deft, skilful tactics resulting in him downing three of his squadron’s four victories that day. All this in a Typhoon, a fighter more usually associated with its impressive role as arguably the finest ground attack aircraft of World War II.

A moving tribute to Hawker’s memorable Typhoon…

Each print in the edition is issued signed by artist Robert Taylor, individually hand-numbered and exclusively available through the Hawker Typhoon Preservation Group helping to raise funds to restore a Typhoon to airworthiness.

Wing Commander

JOHN ROBERT BALDWIN DSO* DFC* AFC

1918 – 1952

Posted to join 609 Squadron equipped with Hawker Typhoons in November 1942, Johnny Baldwin had his first taste of success by damaging an Fw190 the following month. On 20 January 1943 he intercepted and destroyed three Bf109s during a large Luftwaffe daylight attack on London but on 25 March he survived being shot down himself, this time over the English Channel. In November 1943 he was posted to command 198 (Typhoon) Squadron at RAF Manston. After a spell on the staff at No2 Group he commanded first 146 Typhoon Wing in support of the Normandy landings, followed by command of 123 Wing in operations against enemy shipping in the Baltic. Highly decorated, Johnny Baldwin finished the war with 15 and 1 shared victories destroyed, 4 damaged alongside another 5 damaged on the ground, an impressive tally making him the RAF’s highest-scoring Typhoon Ace of the war. Seconded to the USAF during the Korean War flying F-86 Sabres with the 16th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, in March 1952 he was posted missing, sadly presumed killed in action.

This item is shipped directly by the Military Gallery and therefore is not part of the free postage over £30 deal on our website. For the framed print especially, shipping is very expensive and a freight forwarding courier is used. The product is also subject to a special introductory rate for the first 20 copies, therefore the 10% supporter discount cannot be applied. 

Please note, if you live outside of the UK and purchase either a rolled or frame print, a member of our team will be in touch with a shipping quote. Your order will not be shipped until this has been arranged.