Price range: £75.00 through £300.00
Gloster Meteor F8 and Meteor NF14 fighters over Castle Howard, the setting for the famous TV drama “Brideshead Revisited”. No.72 Squadron was based at nearby RAF Church Fenton with Meteor F8 and NF14 aircraft.
A Korean war veteran with 2 MiG kills in F-86 Sabres, in April 1952 John Nicholls was sent to the US to convert to the F-86 Sabre before joining a USAF squadron in Korea. He was assigned to the 335th Fighter Interceptor Squadron operating from Kimpo airfield near Seoul and over the next six months he completed 100 operations John Nicholls flew his first sortie on June 28th 1952 and then flew every day to built up his experience. Two months later he was credited with damaging two MiGs on one sortie. He set one on fire before it disappeared into cloud and the other was seen damaged and with a lot of smoke as it made its escape across the Yalu River, an area Allied pilots were forbidden to fly over. On his 99th and penultimate operation, John Nicholls was a wingman to the Wing leader when they intercepted four MiGs just south of the Yalu. Nicholls chased one of the MiGs for some time and fired his cannons, scoring hits on the enemy fighter, which broke up and crashed. It was the first MiG to be shot down by an RAF pilot. On December 9th John Nicholls flew his last sortie in Korea and shortly afterwards was awarded a DFC to add to an American DFC and Air Medal. Sir John Nicholls has flown every great fighter from the Spitfire to the Phantom, including the USAF century series.
On his return to the RAF, Nicholls continued his career as a fighter pilot flying Meteors and Hunters before becoming a tactics instructor at the prestigious Day Fighter Leader’s School. In 1959 he was attached to English Electric as RAF project test pilot on Lightnings. He commanded AFDS at RAF Binbrook where in 1963 Lightning vs Spitfire combat trials were flown and later, he commanded RAF Leuchars. He retired as Vice Chief of the Air Staff to become Director in charge, BAe Lightnings in Saudi Arabia. John Nicholls was appointed CBE (1967) and KCB (1978). He died 17th May 2007, aged 80.
Signatures:
This evocative limited edition print by Michael Rondot captures a formation of Gloster Meteors over the stunning backdrop of Castle Howard. The painting portrays both the F.8 day fighter and the NF.14 night fighter variants during their service with No. 72 Squadron. Specifically, the artwork commemorates the era when these jets operated from nearby RAF Church Fenton. This limited edition print serves as a beautiful tribute to the Allies’ first operational jet fighter. Explore our more early Jet aircraft in Classic Jets Collection.
The Meteor made history as the first British jet fighter to enter combat during the Second World War. Indeed, its development relied heavily on the ground-breaking turbojet engines pioneered by Frank Whittle. While the aircraft featured a conventional straight-wing design, it proved highly successful and broke several world airspeed records. This limited edition print showcases the refined F.8 variant, which became the backbone of RAF Fighter Command in the early 1950s. Consequently, the Meteor paved the way for more advanced swept-wing interceptors like the Hawker Hunter.
This artwork carries deep historical significance due to its connection to Air Marshal Sir John Nicholls. Notably, Nicholls was the first RAF pilot to shoot down a MiG-15 during the Korean War while flying a USAF F-86 Sabre. After his combat tour, he returned to the RAF to fly Meteors and later served as a project test pilot for the English Electric Lightning. This limited edition print honors a man who flew every legendary fighter from the Spitfire to the Phantom. Moreover, his leadership at the Day Fighter Leader’s School helped define modern British aerial tactics.
Michael Rondot utilizes his expert eye for detail to render the unique camouflage and markings of No. 72 Squadron. Finally, the artist personally signs each limited edition print, ensuring its authenticity for collectors. For those seeking even greater historical value, select copies carry the signature of Sir John Nicholls himself. In fact, these prints represent a rare link between the dawn of the jet age and the legendary pilots who mastered it. Therefore, shop our gallery today to secure your own signed copy of Meteors over Castle Howard.
The Meteors existence owes everything to the inventor of the Jet Engine Sir Frank Whittle. Read about his story here
| Dimensions | 64 × 48 cm |
|---|---|
| Print Type | Signed and Numbered, Artists Proof, Remarque, Double Remarque, Canvas Print |
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