Bill's story is one of remarkable courage and initiative. We were fortunate to be able to access his "K Report", which gave details of what happened on that fateful night. Following flak damage, and a suspected night-fighter attack, fires raged through the aircraft, preventing access to the escape hatches. Bill climbed up on the rest bed, and tried to escape through the dinghy hatch.

As he struggled to escape the aircraft, Bill's chest parachute snagged on the rim of the fuselage; flames were now scorching his left arm and head. Suddenly, a string on his harness broke, popping Bill out into the night like a champagne cork.

On the ground, Bill joined the French Resistance, and gave them weapons and wireless training. In August 1944, Bill met up with advancing United States infantry and returned to England, to find discover that his elder brother Bob had been killed in the rear turret of a 49 Squadron Lancaster. He was approached by the French Government in 2014 and awarded the Legion d'Honneur.

My challenge to Gary was to create a piece of artwork that recreated the moment that Bill was expelled from the burning Lancaster. Beneath is a series of photographs that show the evolution of the final piece.

Finally – if you have a particular aviation moment that you wish to recreate, I cannot recommend Gary's services highly enough. His diligence, professionalism and attention to detail are second to none.