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.
