Order Helpline (UK) : 01436 820269

You currently have no items in your basket


Buy with confidence and security!
Publishing historical art since 1985
Don't Miss Any Special Deals - Sign Up To Our Newsletter!
Aircraft
Search 		Squadron
Search 		Signature
Search 		Artist
Search 		SPECIAL
OFFERS

Product Search         
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL LIST OF ALL GERALD COULSON PRINTS BY TITLE
ALWAYS GREAT OFFERS :
20% FURTHER PRICE REDUCTIONS ON HUNDREDS OF LIMITED EDITION ART PRINTS
BUY ONE GET ONE HALF PRICE ON THOUSANDS OF PAINTINGS AND PRINTS
FOR MORE OFFERS SIGN UP TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
No.464 Sqn RAAF - Squadron Profile.

No.464 Sqn RAAF

Founded : 15th August 1942
Country : UK
Fate : Disbanded 25th September 1945
Known Aircraft Codes : SB

Aequo anumo - Equanimity

No.464 Sqn RAAF


Latest No.464 Sqn RAAF Artwork Releases !
Mosquito HP926 SB-C <i>Charlie</i> of No.464 Sqn RAAF gets airborne from Hunsdon on 28th February 1944. The crew, Flying Officer David Avery RNZAF and Warrant Officer Leslie Brodie RAAF are shown embarking on what would be an eventful 'Noball' mission over France. The aircraft was damaged by flak with sections of the tailplane and rudder shot away, but with remarkable skill, Flying Officer Avery wrestled the aircraft back across the Channel. The doomed Mosquito was aimed back towards the sea before the crew took to their parachutes near Chichester, and it crashed harmlessly.

Charlie Safely Off by Ivan Berryman.		As part of Operation Noball on 28th February 1944, De Havilland Mosquito FB MkVI HP926 was severely damaged by flak over northern France, the explosion ripping away sections of the tailplane and rudder. Using all his skills and experience, F/O David Avery managed to wrestle the crippled aircraft back across the English Channel before he and his Navigator W/O Leslie Brodie baled out over southern England, having turned the aircraft back toward the sea, where it crashed harmlessly.

In the Lap of the Gods by Ivan Berryman.		 When De Havilland built the prototype DH.98 Mosquito (E-0234) they did so as an act of the purest faith in their design since the Air Ministry had already dismissed the companys proposal for their all-wood aircraft as impractical and unworkable. However, when E-0234 first flew on 25th November 1940, it demonstrated remarkably smooth handling characteristics and its speed, as expected, was outstanding. Here at last was a bomber which, in a straight line, could outfly even the Spitfire, giving rise to such nicknames as Wooden Wonder and, succicntly The Aeroplane. With such an aircraft, it was soon realised, many new possibilities were laid open to the RAF, among them the chance to initiate precision raids whereupon carefully selected isolated targets could be attacked with pinpoint accuracy. Just such a raid took place on 18th February 1944, involving 18 Mosquitoes of Nos 64 and 487 Squadrons in an operation on the jail at Amiens, France, where a large number of the French Resistance were being held for questioning by the Gestapo. It was thought unlikely that any of them would survive their ordeal at the hands of their inquisitors and it was considered more sensible to try to aid their escape by breaching the prison walls, even if it meant that some of the prisoners might be killed in the process. An accurate model of the jail and the nearby town was constructed and each pilot viewed the model from eye level to familiarise themselves with the view that they would get from a planned height of 50 feet. With this knowledge and some carefully selected reference points such as church spires and chimneys, the Mosquitoes, led by Group Captain Charles Pickard, were able to brush over the rooftops of the town and deliver their bombs with incredible accuracy, breaching the prison walls in four places. 258 prisoners escaped in the ensuing chaos and were quickly spirited away by other Resistance groups who were waiting outside. Sadly, a number of French prisoners were killed in the raid and added to the losses of that day was Group Captain Pickard himself who fell victim to marauding Focke Wulf 190s, but the raid had been a tremendous success and further precision attacks using the most superb Mosquito were carried out throughout 1944 and 1945, each one making its own significant contribution to the downward turn in the fortunes of Hitlers Reich.

Breakout. Amiens Raid by Mosquitos by Ivan Berryman. (PC)		 This sortie was for the sole purpose of saving lives. The objective was to initiate a breakout of more than 700 French resistance workers from Amiens prison, many of whom were on their eve of execution by their Gestapo jailers. The De Havilland Mosquito FB Mk V1s of 464 and 487 Squadron of No 140 wing were to breach the outer walls and destroy certain key buildings within the compound. Absolute pin point precision was vital to reduce casualties amongst the French patriots. Three formations of six aircraft were formed, each crewed by the most experienced members of these squadrons. Low level runs at only fifteen feet were required to maintain bombing accuracy. The raid was the responsibility of Group Captain Percy Charles Pickard, DSO, DFC. The navigational plot was in the hands of Pickards inseparable friend and navigator, Flight Lieutenant J A Bill Broadley. The operation took place on the 18th Februrary 1944 in terrible weather, with heavy snow falling, sweeping in gusts and almost obscuring the runway. The first run took place along the Albert to Amiens road which can be seen in the foreground of the painting. Led by Wing Commander I S Black, the aircraft were flying so low they had to be flown at an angle to miss the trees lining the road. Bombs were placed with pin point accuracy, breaching the walls in places and setting fire to the main building. The second attack at right angles to the first across barren open fields was led by Wing Commander R W Bob Iredale followed by the Australians of 464 Squadron. The target being the second phase demolition of the guards annex. The painting shows Iredale in the foreground with his navigator Flt. Lt. McCaul, followed closely by Sqn Ldr Sugden and navigator Fg Off Bridger. In the background, comimg up rapidly at a height of fifteen feet is Fg Off Mongham, DFM and his navigator Fg Off Dean DFM. These two attacks were so successful, that streams of prisoners managed to escape. Further bombing runs were deemed unnecessary and 21 Squadron returned to base.

Liberation from Amiens by Tim Fisher.

No.464 Sqn RAAF Artwork Collection
Click the images below to view the fantastic artwork we have available to purchase!



Breakout. Amiens Raid by Mosquitos by Ivan Berryman.


Liberation from Amiens by Tim Fisher.


Mosquito Attack by Philip West.


Low Level Raiders by Keith Woodcock.


In the Lap of the Gods by Ivan Berryman.


Charlie Safely Off by Ivan Berryman.


Mosquitos at Dusk by Nicolas Trudgian.

Aircraft for : No.464 Sqn RAAF
A list of all aircraft known to have been flown by No.464 Sqn RAAF. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name.
SquadronInfo

Mosquito




Click the name above to see prints featuring Mosquito aircraft.

Manufacturer : De Havilland
Production Began : 1940
Retired : 1955
Number Built : 7781

Mosquito

Used as a night fighter, fighter bomber, bomber and Photo-reconnaissance, with a crew of two, Maximum speed was 425 mph, at 30,300 feet, 380mph at 17,000ft. and a ceiling of 36,000feet, maximum range 3,500 miles. the Mosquito was armed with four 20mm Hospano cannon in belly and four .303 inch browning machine guns in nose. Coastal strike aircraft had eight 3-inch Rockets under the wings, and one 57mm shell gun in belly. The Mossie at it was known made its first flight on 25th November 1940, and the mosquito made its first operational flight for the Royal Air Force as a reconnaissance unit based at Benson. In early 1942, a modified version (mark II) operated as a night fighter with 157 and 23 squadron's. In April 1943 the first De Haviland Mosquito saw service in the Far east and in 1944 The Mosquito was used at Coastal Command in its strike wings. Bomber Commands offensive against Germany saw many Mosquitos, used as photo Reconnaissance aircraft, Fighter Escorts, and Path Finders. The Mosquito stayed in service with the Royal Air Force until 1955. and a total of 7781 mosquito's were built.

Ventura


Click the name above to see prints featuring Ventura aircraft.


Ventura

Full profile not yet available.
Signatures for : No.464 Sqn RAAF
A list of all signatures from our database who are associated with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking their name.
NameInfo

Squadron Leader Tom McPhee CB DFC*
Click the name above to see prints signed by Squadron Leader Tom McPhee CB DFC*

22 / 2 / 2009Died : 22 / 2 / 2009
 Squadron Leader Tom McPhee CB DFC*

Born in Greenock in November 1917, Tom McPhee joined the RAFVR in 1938, and at the outbreak of war Tom was called up and posted to 139 Squadron as a Sergeant Pilot flying Blenheims on low level bombing raids. He was commissioned in 1941. In August 1943 he joined 464 Squadron flying Mosquitos, and in February 1944 took part in Operation Jericho when 18 Mosquitos of 140 Wing , nd TAF, attacked the Gestapo held prison at Amiens, liberating over 100 French Resistance fighters, many of whom had been condemned to execution the following morning. Flying number two on the raid he was promoted to Squadron Leader as a result. From June 1944 he was posted to a Forward Control Unit until the end of the war. Sadly passed away 22nd February 2009.


Contact Details
Shipping Info
Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy
Privacy Policy

Sign Up To Our Newsletter!

Stay up to date with all our latest offers, deals and events as well as new releases and exclusive subscriber content!

This website is owned by Cranston Fine Arts.  Torwood House, Torwoodhill Road, Rhu, Helensburgh, Scotland, G848LE

Contact: Tel: (+44) (0) 1436 820269.  Email: cranstonorders -at- outlook.com

Return to Home Page