RB396 75th Anniversary Print and Coin

Hawker Typhoon RB396 was the usual mount of Pilot Officer Frank Johnson, RCAF. However, he was shot down and taken PoW two days earlier in another aircraft, so on 1st April 1945 she was being flown by Flight Lieutenant Chris House, RAF.

Tasked with an offensive sweep from B.100, Goch, after releasing the salvo of rockets, RB396 was hit by intense flak at low level. The aircraft had survived flak damage eighteen times previously, however this time she would not return home. Flight Lieutenant House made a successful forced landing near Denekamp in the Netherlands. He then unstrapped and in his words, ‘did a runner’. With the help of a local Dutch family, he returned to 174 Squadron three days later. RB396 was left where she fell; one of the thousands of battlefield wrecks littering Western Europe.

75 years on, the restoration to flight of Hawker Typhoon RB396 is underway. When complete she will serve as a memorial to all those who flew, fought and died operating the Hawker Typhoon.

Specially commissioned by the Hawker Typhoon Preservation Group, this Limited Edition pencil drawing and double sided Commemorative Coin have been produced to commemorate the events of 1st April 1945, RB396’s final flight. The print depicts Flight Lieutenant Chris House, RB396’s pilot on that day, escaping from the aircraft behind enemy lines, following his successful forced landing.

They are being produced in Limited quantities; only 75 pairs are available. Each print is numbered and signed by the artist, Matthew Holness, and each coin is numbered. They are only available as a matching pair. No.75 is being retained to auction off later in the season, it is hoped to have surviving Typhoon veterans and key project members sign it, before the auction.

Delivery will be after 1st April 2020, the 75th anniversary. That is subject to any future COVID-19 restrictions put in place. 20th March – 1st April 2020 is the official pre-sale period, exclusively for members of the RB396 Supporters’ Club. After 1st April, any remaining copies will be opened out for public sale. Limited Edition.

After 1st April 2020 you will receive:

• 1 x numbered Limited Edition pencil drawing print
• 1 x matching numbered Limited Edition double sided commemorative coin