Brian Sanders (British, B. 1937) "HMS Illustrious and Fairey Swordfish I" Signed lower right. Original Oil on Canvas painting. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This artwork appeared on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 25c stamps for the Battle of Taranto: the Fairey Swordfish I and the HMS Illustrious. The HMS Illustrious was a state of the art example of aircraft carrier technology when she sailed for the Mediterranean in August 1940 to support British Admiral Andrew B. Cunningham's fleet. The ship had been designed to withstand intense enemy attack, with heavy armor thoughout, including a three-inch thick steel flight deck. This deck protected the critical Swordfish aircraft which were used to cripple the Italian fleet based at the harbor of Taranto. Commanding the Illustrious was Rear-Admiral Arthur Lyster, an unorthodox commander who helped devise the attack on Taranto. Under his direction, twenty-one aircraft took to the air on the night off November 11, 1940 to pummel the heart of the Italian Navy. Image Size: 12.5 x 34.25 in. Overall Size: 13.75 x 35.5 in. Unframed. (B12647 / B12648)