Naval History by Country : ROYAL NAVY US NAVY GERMAN NAVY FRENCH NAVY MORE PAGES

Please note that our logo (below) only appears on the images on our website and is not on the actual art prints. When you are ready to add this item to your basket, click the button below.       Website Price: £ 85.00       Leonard Smith Print and Signature Pack. PCK2917. Leonard Smith Print and Signature Pack. Clipped Signature and Print Pack. Items in this pack : Item #1 - Click to view individual item DHM6780B. The Aircraft That Found the Bismarck by Ivan Berryman. In early May 1941, in conditions of strict secrecy because the United States was not yet at war, seventeen pilots of the US Navy had arrived in Britain and been attached to Catalina squadrons of Coastal Command. These experienced PBY pilots were there to assist the Royal Air Force to become familiar with the Catalina, and also to gain operational experience for the US Navy. On 26th May 1941 Catalina Z of No.209 Sqn, commanded by Flying Officer Dennis Briggs RAF, with Ensign Leonard B Smith USN as co-pilot, joined the search for the Bismarck. At 1015 the aircraft was being flown in poor visibility at an altitude of 500ft when Ensign Smith sighted the Bismarck at a range of eight miles. The Catalina was flown towards the contact so that a positive identification could be made and emerged from the cloud only 500 yards from the German ship. The aircraft met a hail of anti-aircraft fire but was able to make its escape. As a result of the sighting report from Catalina Z the Bismarck was again engaged by ships and aircraft of the Royal Navy and was sunk at 1040 on 27th May 1941. Leonard Smith can be considered therefore, the first American to be directly involved in action in World War Two. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (American) for his actions. Professionally produced using a high quality inkjet digital press and printed on 300gsm art stock. Signed Ltd. Ed of 300 prints. Image Size 13.4 inches x 9.4 inches (34cm x 24cm) Paper Size 16.5 Inches x 11.7 inches (42cm x 29.6) Item #2 - Click to view individual item CLP2932. Clipped Signature - Leonard B Smith. A Catalina pilot in the US Navy, he was secretly attached to British Coastal Command before America were officially in the war. He was the pilot who spotted the German battleship Bismarck on 26th May 1941, coming under intense fire as he got close to confirm the identity, ultimately allowing the British to sink her the following day. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, he remained a pilot in the Navy in Korea and Vietnam. He died in 2006. Please note that this particular signature has been written in pen - not in pencil like most of our signatures. Clipped signatures are usually obtained from prints or publications that have been signed in person. Often, signatures have been rescued - or clipped - from prints that have been damaged in another area. Clipped Signature. Website Price: £ 85.00   To purchase these prints individually at their normal retail price would cost £115.00 . By buying them together in this special pack, you save £30 All prices are displayed in British Pounds Sterling   Signatures on item 2 *The value given for each signature has been calculated by us based on the historical significance and rarity of the signature. Values of many pilot signatures have risen in recent years and will likely continue to rise as they become more and more rare. Name Info Captain Leonard B Smith DFC (deceased) *Signature Value : £55 (matted) An American flying boat pilot, he spotted the German battleship Bismarck on 26th May 1941, enabling the Royal Navy to chase down and sink this potent foe the next day. In conditions of strict secrecy because the United States was not yet at war, seventeen pilots of the US Navy had arrived in Britain and been attached to Catalina squadrons of Coastal Command. These experienced PBY pilots were there to assist the Royal Air Force to become familiar with the Catalina, and also to gain operational experience for the US Navy. On 26th May 1941 Catalina Z of No.209 Sqn, commanded by Flying Officer Dennis Briggs RAF, with Ensign Leonard B Smith USN as co-pilot, joined the search for the Bismarck. At 1015 the aircraft was being flown in poor visibility at an altitude of 500ft when Ensign Smith sighted the Bismarck at a range of eight miles. The Catalina was flown towards the contact so that a positive identification could be made and emerged from the cloud only 500 yards from the German ship. The aircraft met a hail of anti-aircraft fire but was able to make its escape. As a result of the sighting report from Catalina Z the Bismarck was again engaged by ships and aircraft of the Royal Navy and was sunk at 1040 on 27th May 1941. Smith can be considered therefore, the first American to be directly involved in action in World War Two. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (American) for his actions. He remained as a pilot in the Navy, taking part in the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, retiring in 1962. He died on 16th May 2006.