Details
RAMITELLI RUMBLE ARTIST PROOF SET
w/Prints, Book, & CD
by Robert Bailey
Print Sizes:
Main Print: 33" x 21"
Companion Prints: 13" x 10"
Book Size: 15" x 11½"
Edition Size: 30
Secondary Market
The "RAMITELLI RUMBLE" Artist Proof Prints, Book, and CD Set by artist Robert Bailey. one of only 30 Artist Proof sets, includes a full-size Artist Proof print "RAMITELLI RUMBLE," the limited edition book “A BRUSH WITH HISTORY,” the limited edition print "BIG BEAUTIFUL BLUENOSER," the limited edition print "TIRPITZ TERROR," (all with matching numbers) and a CD-ROM.
THE STORY:
Life for the Fighter Squadrons of the 332nd Fighter Group, at the former farm field in Ramitelli, Italy in 1945, was about disciplined routine. Like other Fighter Groups in the 15th Air Force based nearby, it would start as it ended with the ground crews. With a mission planned and communicated they worked feverishly, many times without enough sleep, coaxing and prodding "their planes" to be ready in the morning to "loan out to the pilots."
As the sun began to rise the air crews awakened and began preparation for the next mission. For some sleep did not come easily and did little to refresh their tired minds, a byproduct of aerial combat flown high above the hostile skies of Nazi Germany and Austria, locked in the deadly business of defending bomber streams they were tasked to escort against a resilient foe. The tension would build early as the air crews prepared for the coming mission. After a quick but subdued meal at the mess hall it was off to the briefing where the target for the day was announced and escort assignments given. There were made aware of what defenses they could expect, the flak corridors they would encounter, and the anticipated reception from the Luftwaffe in the target area, as all the while they defended the bombers against a persistent enemy bent on bringing down the four-engine ’big friends.’
With the briefing concluded it was a short hop to the parachute shack to collect the necessities including escape kits before they were driven out to their dispersal areas. There they would confer with their crew chiefs, while being strapped in, about any issues the aircraft had since the last mission. The tension was now palpable as the pilots waited like coiled springs for the signal to start engines. At the predetermined time, magneto switches were turned on, engine generators whined, and dozens of Merlin engines roared to life. The popping of hot gases exiting exhaust ports rose in harmony building to a low rumble, as chock blocks were pulled by ground crew attempting to stand against the prop wash. The high-powered planes assembled each in order of take off at the end of the respective runway. With a shot from a Berry Pistol arching overhead signaling the departure time, Flight Leaders and Wingmen pushed their engine throttles foreword and the Rumble at Ramitelli would build. From a soft growl it would grow into a loud crescendo rising in unison with the other engines announcing that another Tuskegee Mission was about to commence.
THE MAIN PRINT:
RAMITELLI RUMBLE
This special release print made available exclusively with the release Robert Bailey’s book “A BRUSH WITH HISTORY.” depicts P-51 Mustangs ‘Little Freddio’ and ‘Lady Emmo’ of the 332nd Fighter Squadron are the first to launch from the airfield and begin the assembly process before heading north to the rendezvous point where they will meet the bombers they are to escort to the heartland of Germany. They will need to be vigilant today if their reported record of never losing a bomber they escorted in combat is to remain intact.
In addition to the artist this print was individually signed in pencil by NINE Tuskegee Airmen:
- 1st Lieutenant CHARLES E. MCGEE
- Flight Officer CHARLES A. LANE JR.
- 2nd Lieutenant BILL BROADWATER
- 1st Lieutenant WILLIAM H. HOLLOMAN III
- Staff Sergeant JAMES A. SHEPPARD
- 1st Lieutenant GEORGE A. TAYLOR
- st Lieutenant ALEXANDER JEFFERSON
- 2nd Lieutenant GEORGE E. HARDY
- 2nd Lieutenant ROGER C. TERRY
THE BOOK:
A BRUSH WITH HISTORY
Robert Bailey’s first book of combat aviation paintings is issued with the same edition number as “RAMITELLI RUMBLE.” With the foreword by Colonel ‘Bud’ Anderson of the 357th FG and introduction by Mike Coenen, this book is highly collectable by aviation art connoisseurs around the world. It consists of 70 color images and 57 pencil drawings and includes anecdotes of print signings, text on Robert’s circuitous route to becoming an aviation artist, background stories of how all the pictures came into being, and insights into World War II written by veterans from both sides! Also in the book are a selection of prints with ‘work in progress’ images, showing how various paintings were developed, stage by stage, never-before-seen pencil drawings, including aircraft of all types, naval scenes, historical figures (Roosevelt, Churchill), and individual aircrew in flight gear, revealing a unique talent by this artist. This book is sure to give endless hours of pleasure to military history buffs and is a ‘must’ for the history section of any library.
THE CD:
A BRUSH WITH HISTORY BONUS CD
Included with this set and also located inside the book is a CD-ROM in a slideshow with background music format plus text with over 80 images of the artist in the studio, showing progressive images of "RAMITELLI RUMBLE" start to finish; behind-the-scenes photos of print signings; Robert photographing scale model airplanes before beginning a painting; Robert overseeing the press run of "RAMITELLI RUMBLE," and much more!
COMPANION PRINTS:
BIG BEAUTIFUL BLUENOSER
The first of the two smaller like-numbered companion prints included with this special Artist Proof package is individually signed by the artist and:
- Lieutenant ROBERT ‘PUNCHY’ POWELL JR. (352nd Fighter Group)
TIRPITZ TERROR
The second of the two smaller like-numbered limited edition companion prints included with this special Artist Proof package is the sketch which depicts Flight Lieutenant Harry Haxby in his Halifax attacking the German battleship Tirpitz in a Norwegian fjord. It is individually signed in pencil by the artist and:
- Flight Lieutenant HARRY HAXBY DFM (RAF)
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
