17th January marks the 30th Anniversary of the start of Operation Granby. Operation Granby was the UK Armed Forces component of Desert Storm, what many people call the first Gulf War.
To commemorate the anniversary, we have launched a range of embroidered and printed gifts to honour those that took part in the conflict.
Desert Storm 30 Designs
The designs will be launched in several phases and will feature military aircraft and vehicles that took part in the conflict.
More Desert Storm and Operation Granby Aircraft to Come
I will be adding more aircraft and vehicles to this range over the coming weeks – if you have a particular favourite then let me know!
There was a huge number of aircraft and vehicles that took part in Operation Granby/Desert Storm.
Initially I am tempted to add the following in release 3
B-52
F-111
Victor
As I said earlier, let me know if you have a favourite!
Want A Discount and Early Access to New Designs?
Subscribers to my Newsletter and members of the GDMK Images Facebook Group are enjoying a discount on all these Operation Granby/Desert Storm products. They also got early access to them before full launch.
If you want to enjoy the same benefits then subscribe to the newsletter or join our Facebook Group!
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Let me know what you think to these new aircraft designs and which aircraft or vehicles you would like to see added!
Thanks for reading and stay safe!!
Gary
Recent News on GDMK Images …
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Share These Operation Granby 30th Anniversary Gifts With Your Aviation Enthusiast Friends and Family
Keyrings Fridge Magnets and Badges Now Available Online
If you have seen our stall at a Railway Gala or Airshow, you will know we have a huge range of small pick up gifts for sale. These have proved extremely popular with those who have seen them.
Traditionally I havent stocked these online, reserving them for our shows. With the loss of the 2020 show season, I have had loads of enquiries from customers asking how they can buy them and enquiring about any new designs we might have.
In response to these requests, I have slowly began adding the following smaller gifts to the online store.
We host the fundraising products for these two fine Class 50 locos.
Many of the fundraising gifts are of the smaller variety and havent been available. Coupled with the Covid restrictions on events, 2020 has been a difficult fund raising year.
Handley Page Hampden Added to the Classic Military Aviation Clothing Range
The first new aircraft type we have added during this update is the Handley Page Hampden.
The Hampden was was introduced in 1936 and was used extensively during the early years of Bomber Commands offensive against German Forces.
A relatively small aircraft, the Hampden was not a huge success and was relegated to Coastal Command and secondary duties as more capable aircraft such as the Lancasters and Halifaxes were introduced into service.
The Hampden depicted in our design is from 44 Squadron and is coded KM-M
Multi-Buy Discounts – New Feature Saving You Money
In these cash tight times, its always nice to save a bit on your purchases here and there.
To help you save on your purchases, we have implemented multi-buy discounts across the board!
Buy More Than 1 item to Start Your Savings
Our multi-buy offers trigger automatically when you buy more than 1 item. The multi-buy discounts work across all categories so, for example, you can buy 1 data panel and 1 polo and get a discount off both items!
Combine these new discounts with our recent postage included pricing and you can be confident there will be no nasty hidden price surprises when you come to checkout!
on a range of products ranging from mugs to metal signs.
As with all our data panel designs, the multiple units feature a base livery colour with the unit number of your choice.
What Multiple Unit Liveries are Available?
As you will know, there is a huge range of liveries that multiple units have carried. More liveries will be added all the time and currently we have the following multiple unit liveries available –
Arriva TFW Blue and Creme
Central Trains
Cross Country Trains
East Midlands Trains
First Scotrail
GWR Chocolate and Creme
Midland Main Line Teal and Orange
National Express Anglia Blue and White
Northern One
Northern Old
Provincial Railways
Regional railways
Southern
TFW White and Red
More livery variations will be added over time but each product has an option to request a new livery if you find the livery you want is missing.
We will be adding these multiple unit designs to fridge magnets, phone cases, wallets and much more over the coming days and weeks so keep checking back!!
Let me know what you think to these designs!!
Thanks for reading and stay safe!
Gary
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GDMK Images is established as a leading supplier of gifts for railway enthusiasts, check out some of our railway gift ideas below ….
The designs feature a base livery colour with the steam loco number of your choice. The design is finished off with lining, route availability and loco classification details as would be seen on your chosen loco in real life.
In addition to these details, on all products except the metal signs, the design features the trains nameplate where appropriate.
The nameplate is omitted from the metal signs as they are intended to mimic the cab side details of the loco in question.
What Steam Loco Colour Schemes are Available?
Currently we have the following steam loco colour schemes available –
Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary Clothing Released
Build Up the Battle of Britain
Throughout the Summer of 1940, the skies over Southern England were full of duelling aircraft. The ‘Battle of Britain’ was in full swing. The German air campaign was intended as a prelude to a full invasion of England. Following the fall of France earlier in 1940, German high command saw air superiority as essential before any invasion of England. The Royal Air Force had to be destroyed.
The German war machine was highly experienced and well equipped after gaining useful experience in the Spanish Civil War. On the other hand, much of Britains fighting capability was untested and initially inadequate. The swift fall of Europe and the ensuing retreat, culminating in the Dunkirk evacuations, had left Britain reeling.
Over 400 experienced pilots were lost during the Fall of France leaving an already undermanned and inexperienced Air Force potentially weak and exposed.
Summer 1940 – Englands Skies Were Full of Aircraft
The Battle of Britain, was in reality, a series of events and phases over the Summer of 1940. There isn’t a clearly defined start date and the phases, with a couple of noted exceptions, blended into each other.
The Luftwaffe commenced a co-ordinated series of air raids over England in early – mid June 1940 and this is recognised as ‘the start’.
A series of raids on Channel shipping in July and August caused heavy losses to RAF aircraft and crews. The Navy stopped all daylight convoy moves as a result but both sides gained valuable experience.
Early August 1940 saw the launch of Adlerangriff or Eagle Day. This was German High Commands concerted attempt to destroy the RAF in Southern England. The anticipation being it would clear the way for attacking RAF bases further North and heavy bombing raids on economic and strategic targets throughout England.
18th August 1940 became known as The Hardest Day and saw the heaviest losses on both sides.
The Aircraft
The main fighter aircraft were the Luftwaffe Messerschmitt ME 109E and the Royal Air Force Hurricane and Spitfire.
Many believe the Spitfire was the main RAF aircraft during the Battle of Britain. In reality the Hawker Hurricane was the backbone of the Royal Air Force at that time. Greater numbers of Spitfires became available as 1940 progressed and did eventually help turn the tide in the Royal Air Forces favour.
In the very early days of the battle, Defiants and Blenheims were used in large numbers but were quickly deemed unsuitable against the potent ME109s and BF110s. Losses of these types were very high in terms of aircrew and aircraft.
Luftwaffe bombers incvluded Heinkel 111s, JU87 Stukas, Dornier DO 17s and Junckers JU88s.
The Emergence of ‘The Few’
The Royal Air Force remained steadfast against the continuing raids. The task of repelling relentless German waves of experienced aircrew with technically superior aircraft was to become the stuff of legend.
Winston Churchill immortalised the aircrew with his famous speech –
Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.
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Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary Clothing Designs
I feel its important to remember and commemorate the huge sacrifices and bravery made by our veterans and have released 4 embroidered commemorative designs –
80th Anniversary ‘The Few’ Design
80th Anniversary ‘Adversary’ design 1 – Hurricane and Heinkel HE111
80th Anniversary ‘Adversary’ design 2 – Spitfire and Messerschmitt ME109
If you arent aware, I have a growing range of aircraft types available which depict aircraft and their service dates. The range is extremely popular and the design can be fully personalised with your choice of Squadron colours, aircraft coding and wording.
Just last week I did a repeat order for a Buccaneer Veteran with personalised Red Flag detailing and also a 31 Squadron Tornado GR1 veteran!
The Heinkel HE111 and Messerschitt ME109 designs will be the first non Royal Air Force aircraft types added to the Classic Military Aircraft range.
If you have any questions regarding any of these designs, please dont hesitate to contact me.
Thanks for reading and stay safe
Cheers
Gary
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GDMK Images is established as a leading supplier of gifts for aircraft and WW2 enthusiasts, check out some of our other aviation gift ideas below ….
August 15th 2020 marks the 75th Anniversary of the surrender of Japanese Forces and the conclusion of World War 2.
The Burma Campaign for British Forces, and the parallel Pacific Campaign for US forces, were hugely devastating and costly campaigns. Both are often overshadowed by the European theatre of operations.
War in the Far East was a completely different type of conflict compared to the European conflict. The Japanese were ruthless and fought with a tenacity, and some might say cruelty, that is only truly understood by those who were exposed to it.
VJ Day 75th Anniversary Design Details
My tribute to the Far East Veterans features a large VJ in green to represent the Jungle. Perched on top of the V is a WW2 ‘Slouch’ style bush hat with a 14th Army badge. The ‘Slouch’ is the hat seen in all pictures featuring soldiers during the Burma Campaign.
Below the design are the words ‘Never Forgotten’ in tribute to those Veterans and to ensure going forward, their fight and struggle will remain in our memories.
Many Burma Campaign veterans felt they were the ‘Forgotten Army’.
With the European War finishing in May 1945, many veterans were beginning to return home in the Autumn and Winter of 1945.
Many of the Far East veterans didn’t start arriving home until the spring and Summer of 1946, by which point those at home were beginning to ‘move on’.
Whilst many from the European theatre returned home to heroes welcomes, street parties and such like, Far East veterans returned home to virtually no fanfare.
Indeed I have heard tales, where the only people to meet a veteran upon their return, was a Salvation Army worker.
