"Delayed Departure"
Sheet Size: 20" x 33" • Image size: 14.5" x 28" • © 2004
Please note the very small number of aircrew
signed prints!
Signatures
F/Lt. Dallas Schmidt, DFC, RCAF
W/O Stan G. Reynolds, RCAF
F/Lt. Cliff Rhind, RCAF
signed prints!
Signatures
F/Lt. Dallas Schmidt, DFC, RCAF
W/O Stan G. Reynolds, RCAF
F/Lt. Cliff Rhind, RCAF
The Story
Night time aerial warfare in the European theater was not as obvious to the
ground observer as daylight combat. Massive bomber attacks with their
attendant contrails could be seen for miles. At best, night aircraft would be
heard streaking across the dark void.
Night combat posed different sets of skills and threats unknown to daylight
aircrews. The Allied pilots and navigators intruding into enemy airspace in
darkness faced the Luftwaffe Me110's, Ju-88's and FW190's. These enemy
aircraft were tasked with seeking out marauding enemy planes and
disposing of them and their crews who were intent on completing their
assigned interdiction, mapping and bombing missions. But not all night
combat ended in the favor of the Luftwaffe. When shot down behind their
own lines, those Germans who survived uninjured would have only
wounded pride, the necessary paper reports to complete, and the ride back
to the geschwader to fight another day.
In Robert Bailey's painting, DELAYED DEPARTURE, a Me110 has just left its
base, but by unfortunate chance has met a Mosquito in the night sky. The
crew of the downed aircraft are assisted out by German rail guards.
Meanwhile, the victorious Mossie crew decide to make a low passin order to
observe their victory, startling those on the ground. Because of the hissing
steam coming from the locomotive, those passengers on the platform are
oblivious to the action. This time, the German night fighter crew have been
very lucky indeed.
Night time aerial warfare in the European theater was not as obvious to the
ground observer as daylight combat. Massive bomber attacks with their
attendant contrails could be seen for miles. At best, night aircraft would be
heard streaking across the dark void.
Night combat posed different sets of skills and threats unknown to daylight
aircrews. The Allied pilots and navigators intruding into enemy airspace in
darkness faced the Luftwaffe Me110's, Ju-88's and FW190's. These enemy
aircraft were tasked with seeking out marauding enemy planes and
disposing of them and their crews who were intent on completing their
assigned interdiction, mapping and bombing missions. But not all night
combat ended in the favor of the Luftwaffe. When shot down behind their
own lines, those Germans who survived uninjured would have only
wounded pride, the necessary paper reports to complete, and the ride back
to the geschwader to fight another day.
In Robert Bailey's painting, DELAYED DEPARTURE, a Me110 has just left its
base, but by unfortunate chance has met a Mosquito in the night sky. The
crew of the downed aircraft are assisted out by German rail guards.
Meanwhile, the victorious Mossie crew decide to make a low passin order to
observe their victory, startling those on the ground. Because of the hissing
steam coming from the locomotive, those passengers on the platform are
oblivious to the action. This time, the German night fighter crew have been
very lucky indeed.
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| Ozark Airfield Artworks |
This Scenario
A Messerschmitt 110 night fighter
has been unfortunate to cross
swords with a Mosquito night
intruder over Germany during the
closing years of World War II. The
German aircraft had just taken off
from its base when it was gunned
down into a railroad siding. As
German railguards assist the
hapless pilot from his seat, the
victorious Mosquito makes a low
pass.
A Messerschmitt 110 night fighter
has been unfortunate to cross
swords with a Mosquito night
intruder over Germany during the
closing years of World War II. The
German aircraft had just taken off
from its base when it was gunned
down into a railroad siding. As
German railguards assist the
hapless pilot from his seat, the
victorious Mosquito makes a low
pass.