00-DNF, one of DHL Europe's fleet on 'loan' to the Middle East,
comes in to land at Kuwait International Airport, at 08:25 GMT on 20th March 1991, only days after the end of the Gulf War.
Operating from Bahrain and flown by Capt. Wasberg and First Officer Pierre De Naeyer, this
aircraft has the distinction of being the first civil aircraft into the liberated airport.
Hastily painted under the DHL logo can be seen the words Kuwait Express, from which our painting
takes its title.
Headed by Capt. Manu Tytgat, the detachment of DHF and its sister
ship 00-VGH, nicknamed 'Silver Fox' which was still wearing EAT markings, kept the DHL promise and delivered
important materials to enable business to resume as soon as possible after the liberation of the Kuwait capital.
As DHF comes in to land, it passes the wreckage of the British Airways Boeing 747 which was stranded in Kuwait at the outbreak of hostilities and eventually destroyed by the Iraqis. It will stay there for some weeks, the only useful parts being the engines which will ultimately be reclaimed. There is feverish activity at this time, with USAF Galaxy's, together with helicopters and C-130 Hercules from several allied forces, bringing much-needed military supplies and equipment for the rapidly advancing forces.
The ubiquitous Convairs, for many years the backbone of the DHL network in Europe, are still in daily operation, carrying customers' packages every night and 'Keeping Promises'.
This print is limited to only 500 copies, signed by both the artist and Capt. Manu Tytgat and now Capt. Pierre De Naeyer, plus 25 artist proofs with individual pencil remarque drawings in the bottom right margin. All copies have a printed remarque of the Silver Fox in the bottom left margin, paying tribute to both aircraft and all of the crews.
Image size is 16" x 10.25" (400 x 262mm) approx, price £25 + carriage.
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