Abberton, Essex Greeting Card

Greeting card of Abberton Reservoir, near Colchester in Essex, depicting No. 617 'Dambusters' Squadron RAF's dress rehearsal ahead of Operation Chastise. On the night of 14th May 1943, the squadron used Abberton Reservoir (dubbed 'Colchester Lake' in Guy Gibson's notes) as part of their final dress rehearsal before the upcoming Dambusters raid on the Mohne, Eder, and Sorpe dams in Germany. Depicted in this illustration is Gibson's aircraft, AJ-G, along with those of Flight Lieutenant John Hopgood and Flight Lieutenant Harold Martin.

Abberton Reservoir was at the time one of England's newest reservoirs, having been completed in 1939 after four years of construction. In 1988 the reservoir was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, due to its unique wetlands and wildlife; particularly birds such as cormorants and waterfowl. A visitor centre was opened in 2012, and in 2013 work to expand the reservoir's capacity was completed, with the banks raised.

This Essex illustration by artist Rob Wisdom is a high-quality greeting card. For our Giclée art print of Abberton, click here.

Printed by high definition Jet Press on 400gsm silk stock. Designed and printed in England by a certified carbon balanced printer on paper from responsible sources.