Two of the last remaining Battle of Britain aces – Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum and Wing Commander Tom Neil – who both provided forewords for Philip E. West’s first book of paintings, Aviation Masterworks, have died this month before publication of the collection in September. Tieing in with the 100th anniversary of the RAF, the luxury hardback coffee-table book contains more than 150 of Phil’s limited edition prints which fetch up to five figure sums for the originals. He specialises in painting jets and Phantoms and is also a master painter of piston-engined classics particularly Avro Lancasters and Supermarine Spitfires. Each full-colour reproduction carries an explanatory caption, while Philip has composed an Introduction explaining how his paintings have become his tapestry to a remarkable career. Priced at £40, the book is also available as a signed and numbered limited edition for £100 or as a remarqued edition at £250.
