Aviation artist Gary Eason has licensed four of his latest series of D-Day related pictures to the Mortons Media Group for use in their special 70th anniversary title. Eason’s Flight Artworks depict mostly World War II aviation scenes in a photorealistic style. He is known for his careful research and historical accuracy. The pictures Mortons is using feature a variety of RAF warplanes on invasion-oriented operations before, during and after D-Day on 6 June 1944.One is a D-Day ‘big picture’ featuring Operation Mallard on the evening of 6 June. This was when a variety of ‘heavies’ towed gliders into Normandy carrying elements of the British 6th Airborne Division.The picture shows Short Stirlings towing Horsa gliders, with Spitfires and Mustangs escorting them, and a Hawker Typhoon squadron on an armed reconnaissance flight.
Another shows Douglas Bostons (Havocs) streaking at low level over the French countryside. A third, the dramatic sight of Bristol Beaufighters in a rocket attack on German e-boats just off the French coast. And the fourth features the unusual combination of Spitfires escorting Lancaster bombers during daylight – a tactic that RAF Bomber Command returned to in June ’44.
Eason’s work also appeared in a previous Morton special marking the 70th anniversary of 617 Squadron’s Dambusters operation .Eason said: “I am delighted that Mortons have once again trusted me to illustrate key aspects of some amazing events.”The Mortons D-Day anniversary special ‘bookazine’ has been authored by talented Squadron Leader (retired) Clive Rowley MBE, ex-Officer Commanding the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
All the pictures are available as prints in a variety of formats via the Flight Artworks web pages at www.flightartworks.com. Enquiries about further licensing are always welcome, with immediate high-resolution downloads available from the site. The D-Day bookazine is available from Amazon, click HERE.
I can vouch for Gary Eason’s work, I commissioned an artwork for RAF Transport Command Memorial depicting Flt Lt David Lord VC’s final action, a supply drop over Arnhem in Dakota III KG374. In the artwork, the starboard engine is well ablaze and the final canisters are leaving the stricken Dakota, on it’s second run over the DZ, before the wing gave way, killing all but the Navigator.
Fantastic artwork from a brilliant artist.
Gary has been to North Weald to see our Dakota KG651 and will visit regularly once restoration begins to document the return to flight!