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RAF North Coates Strike Wing by Robin Smith (B) The print depicts the three squadrons that comprised the first, and most successful Coastal Command strike wing, based at RAF North Coates, Lincolnshire. Using Beaufighters nicknamed whispering death due to their speed and armament and low noise, they worked together as a team, destroying enemy shipping with terrifying efficiency. A Beaufighter from 143 Squadron would go in first using 20mm nose cannon and wing guns. Secondly a Beaufighter from 236 Squadron would follow with eight 60lb or 25lb rockets - 25lb warheads were found to be more effective as they penetrated deeper into the hull, creating more damage. These two initial attacks reduced the on-deck anti aircraft initiative. You only have to look at some of the spectacular photos of convoys under attack, the ships can hardly be seen for water spray and explosions. This mayhem allowed a 254 Squadron Beaufighter with its 21in torpedo to finish the job off. The three squadrons operated together on three occasions during the war at North Coates, October 1942 - August 1944, February 1944 - May 1944 and September 1944 - October 1944. This painting was commissioned for a reunion of association members at the North Coates airfield in May 2001. The signatures on this edition were added to the prints at the reunion. Item Code : RS0001B RAF North Coates Strike Wing by Robin Smith (B) - This Edition TYPE EDITION DETAILS SIZE SIGNATURES OFFERS YOUR PRICE PURCHASING PRINT Signed limited edition of 500 prints, signed by aircrew and artist. Image size 20 inches x 12.5 inches (51cm x 32cm) Fry, Pat Yates, Alex Knight, Bill Lilly, Ken + Artist : Robin Smith Signature(s) value alone : £105 £145.00 SAVE MONEY WITH OUR DISCOUNT DOUBLE PRINT PACKS! Buy With : Trouble Brewing by Keith Aspinall. (B) for £120 - Save £70 Buy With : Beaufighter Attack by Ivan Berryman. for £110 - Save £125 Buy With : Desert Prang by Geoff Lea. (D) for £110 - Save £110 Buy With : Seastrike by Ivan Berryman. for £130 - Save £115 All prices on our website are displayed in British Pounds Sterling

Other editions of this item : RAF North Coates Strike Wing by Robin Smith. RS0001 TYPE EDITION DETAILS SIZE SIGNATURES OFFERS YOUR PRICE PURCHASING PRINT Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 20 inches x 12.5 inches (51cm x 32cm) Artist : Robin Smith £90.00 VIEW EDITION... General descriptions of types of editions :

Signatures on this item
*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
Alex Yates *Signature Value : £25	No.236 Sqn Beaufighter pilot who flew with the North Coates strike wing.
Bill Knight *Signature Value : £25	Navigator on Beaufighters with No.143 Squadron, part of the North Coates strike wing.
Ken Lilly *Signature Value : £25	Flew on Beaufighters as a Navigator with No.236 Squadron as part of the North Coates strike wing.
Squadron Leader Pat Fry DFC *Signature Value : £30	Commanding Officer of No.236 Squadron. Flew Beaufighters with the North Coates Strike Wing.

The Aircraft :
Name	Info
Beaufighter	BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER The Bristol Beaufighter was a Torpedo Bomber and had a crew of two. with a maximum speed of 330mph and a ceiling of 29,000 feet. maximum normal range of 1500 miles but could be extended to 1750 miles. The Bristol Beaufighter carried four 20mm cannon in the belly of the aircraft and upto six .303in browning machine guns in the wings. it could also carry eight 3 -inch rockets, 1605 lb torpedo or a bomb load of 1,000 lb. The Bristol Beaufighter first flew in July 1939 and with some modifications entered service with the Royal Air Force in July 1940. In the winter of 1940 - 1941 the Beaufighter was used as a night fighter. and in March 1941 the aircraft was used at Coastal Command as a long range strike aircraft. and in 1941, the Beaufighter arrived in North Africa and used as a forward ground attack aircraft. The Bristol Beaufighter was used also in India, Burma and Australia. A total of 5,564 Beaufighters were built until production in Britain finished in 1945, but a further 364 were built in Australia for the Australian Air Force

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