Warbird RB396 by Neil Hipkiss

Initially, RB396 was delivered to 174 ‘Mauritius’ Squadron wearing the standard markings of the time; standard camouflage with codes ‘XP-W’, sky coloured spinner and rear fuselage band, with invasion stripes to the lower rear section of the fuselage. The airframe being a late production Typhoon MkIB with a four-blade propeller, larger Tempest type rear stabilisers and Mk.III aluminium RP rails.

Following a directive issued on 2^nd January 1945, all 2^nd TAF aircraft had the spinners repainted Night black, the Sky rear fuselage band overpainted with appropriate camouflage, the remnant invasion stripes removed and all roundels amended to National Marking III (Type-C1) configuration. RB396 would have worn this scheme for the majority of its service life and its final flight, so this scheme was chosen for the painting. A close inspection of the painting will reveal a slight variation in colour to indicate where the rear sky band was painted over. The preservation group also made contact with RB’s regular wartime pilot Frank Johnson in Canada who informed them that his wife’s name ‘Sheila’ had been painted on the nose of the aircraft. No photographs exist of this so a few mock-ups of ‘Sheila’ were produced based on the size, style, colour and location provided by Frank. These were shown to Frank who was able to confirm the details. Sadly Frank Johnson passed away prior to the painting being fully complete. A generic background scene was chosen for the painting to highlight the highly hazardous type of low-level operations undertaken by all Typhoon squadrons.

A unique opportunity to purchase one of just 396 Limited edition fine art Giclee prints (size 25″x19″) of this incredible painting priced at just £95 each when collected at an open day or £99 delivered, all proceeds helping to fund the restoration project.

There will be a first run of 200 prints available (numbers from the first run that are NOT currently available are listed at the foot of the product). Prints will normally be allocated in order however, we can accommodate requests for specific numbers from our initial batch on a first come first served basis for a small fee of £15 to cover the additional administration required. If you would like a specific print number:

1. Check that the number you are interested has not been reserved/sold at the bottom, order as normal and request a specific print number in the notes section at check out.
2. The numbers are available on a first-come-first-served basis so if your number is still available the print will be reserved, we will be in contact and ask you to go to the print in the shop and select the ‘Special Request’ option on the product.
3. Proceed to check out for the ‘Special Request’ and remember to enter the print number you requested in the notes and continue as normal.
4. If the print is no longer available we will be in contact to ask if you would like an alternative number or the next available one.

Going quickly, print numbers NOT currently available (Reserved/Sold)

1-47, 49, 50, 54, 56, 61, 75, 83, 100, 103, 111-137, 139-148, 164, 168, 169, 174-175, 181-183, 186-187, 191-195, 197,198, 396