The Hump 1942-45

Original Paintings from Osprey 'The Hump 1942-45'

These are original paintings by Graham Turner, painted in gouache on watercolour board for the Osprey Air Campaign book 'The Hump 1942-45'. They are unique pieces of hand-painted artwork by this well known historical artist - CLICK HERE for more information about how to purchase one of these paintings, or to arrange to visit us to view the originals.

For details of more original paintings by Graham Turner from other periods of history that are also available for sale, CLICK HERE.

Studio 88 also publishes an extensive range of prints and greeting cards from Graham Turner's historical paintings, with print prices from £15 and cards £1.50. CLICK HERE to go to the main menu and see what is available.

C-47 painting by Graham Turner from Osprey Air Campaign book The Hump 1942-45

"Cumulogranite" Ref: GT58A

Flying into a mountain hidden in clouds - referred to by the pilots as "Cumulogranite" - was an ever-present danger for aircraft flying the Hump.

Usually, a collision with a mountain resulted in inevitable and instantaneous death, but one unusual miracle survival occurred in April 1943, when a CNAC C-47 flown by C.J. Rosbert and "Ridge" Hammell ran into heavy rain soon after takeoff, which became fog and snow as they climbed. At 12,000ft their aircraft iced up and the windscreen accumulated a six-inch layer of ice. Blown off course, through his limited vision the pilot suddenly saw a cliff face looming directly ahead and took emergency evasive action. While unable to avoid the mountain this did allow them to hit at the same angle as a steeply sloped area just above the treeline, where they made an unconventional forced 'landing' at 16,000ft in the Himalayas. The radio operator was killed, while Rosbert and Hammell were injured with a broken leg and twisted ankle. It took them two weeks to find help from local tribesmen, who cared for them until contact was made with the British, and they finally made it to their destination in Assam seven weeks after they crashed into the mountain.

Gouache painting by Graham Turner - image size 19"x 13" (48 x 33cm)

click on image to enlarge

Please see the paragraphs below for information about purchasing an original painting

Price: £750.00

Hayabusa painting by Graham Turner from Osprey Air Campaign book The Hump 1942-45

Hit Them at Home Ref: GT58B

The airfield at Chabua is subjected to a devastating attack by a mixed force of Japanese aircraft on 26 October 1942. In the foreground low-flying Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusas strafe parked aircraft while Mitsubishi Ki-21 and Kawasaki Ki-48 bomb their targets across the airfield.

Gouache painting by Graham Turner - image size 19"x 13" (48 x 33cm)

click on image to enlarge

Please see the paragraphs below for information about purchasing an original painting

Price: £750.00

B-24 Liberator painting by Graham Turner from Osprey Air Campaign book The Hump 1942-45

Hayabusa Trap Ref: GT58C

To try to combat the Japanese successes against the unarmed USAAF transports flying the Hump, a trap was set using B-24 Liberators - which looked very similar to the C-87 transport version. Loaded with extra fuel and ammunition they followed the same flight path and on October 27, 1943, were spotted by a group of Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa fighters who took them to be unarmed C-87s and charged into the attack. US sources claimed that eight Japanese fighters were shot down by the ruse, with no losses amongst the B-24s.

Gouache painting by Graham Turner - image size 19"x 13" (48 x 33cm)

click on image to enlarge

Please see the paragraphs below for information about purchasing an original painting

Price: £650.00

Purchasing an Original Painting

Graham Turner's original paintings and drawings are offered for sale by the artist himself, rather than through Studio 88, which is our print publishing business. Consequently, payment directly to him is preferred. If you are interested in purchasing an original painting, please email Graham Turner at graham@studio88.co.uk to discuss the purchase.

The cost of shipping original paintings varies, depending on their size, value and destination. Our usual shipping rates do not apply, but we would be happy to provide a quote for shipping to your address if required.

CLICK HERE for more information about buying an original.

Paintings are priced unframed. Copyright is retained by Osprey Publishing.

Artist signed Osprey book, Air Campaign 58, The Hump 1942-45

The Hump 1942-45 Ref: ACM58
America's first massive military airlift

by Mark lardas

Includes three paintings by Graham Turner G.Av.A.

Books bought from Studio 88 are individually hand-signed by artist Graham Turner

From the publisher's website:
A comprehensively illustrated history and analysis of 'The Hump' campaign in World War II, the huge and treacherous airlift over the Himalayas to keep China fighting.

In World War II, the war in China tied down much of the Japanese Army, and it was crucial to keep China fighting and supplied. But when the Burma Road fell, the only way left was by air, in piston-engined transports, over the Himalayas from India. As Japan captured new bases and stationed fighters to intercept, the possible routes over 'The Hump' became increasingly treacherous.

In this book, aviation historian Mark Lardas explains how the campaign was fought. While the effort started with only 25 transports and its original organization was ad hoc, by July 1945 it had grown into a vast and organized air armada, with new airfields, specialized navigation aids, and a force of 640 aircraft. The cost was high, with 594 aircraft lost, and over 1,300 killed. But during the war it hauled nearly 700,000 tons of supplies, keeping China in the war. The India-China Wing of the Air Traffic Command earned a Presidential Unit Citation for its efforts, the first ever awarded to a non-combat unit.

Packed with illustrations and maps, this is the story of the first successful strategic airlift in history. The lessons of the Hump fed into the Berlin Airlift of 1948-49, and it was the essential forerunner behind the United States' capability to project power in the Cold War.

click on image to enlarge

Paperback
248 x 184mm
96 pages
Published 18th December 2025

Price: £16.99

Click here for details of the many other Osprey military history books that Graham Turner has been commissioned to create paintings for.

Detail from a painting by Graham Turner from Osprey book Kursk 1943