“Diver Killer” depicts 2 Hawker Tempest V’s of 510 Squadron intercepting and shooting down a V1 flying bomb, officially a Fieseler Fi 103, over southern kent in September 1944.

Between 9,500 and 10,500 “doodlebugs” were launched against London between June 1944 and March 1945. Several high speed fighter types were deployed against the V1’s but the Hawker Tempest proved to be specially effective given its range, low level performance and 4 x 20mm Hispano cannon armament.

510 Squadron was initally reformed at RAF Manston in August 1944, before moving to Bradwell Bay in September, equipped with Tempests with the specific mission to intercept and destroy incoming V1’s, day and night, launched from ramps on the continent and from Heinkel III’s flying over the north sea.

501 Squadron accounted for the highest number of V1’s destroyed by a fighter unit and its CO, squadron leader Joseph Berry, was the top scoring individual pilot before his death in October 1944.

Original oil on canvas, 40cm x 30cm, signed by the artist.

£ 425.00