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Summer of '42 (Main Edition)/Shark Sighting (Main Edition) - 2 Print Set

Price: $1,495.00
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SUMMER OF '42 (Main Edition)/SHARK SIGHTING (Main Edition)
Exclusive 2 Print Set

by John Shaw

Overall Print Sizes:
Summer of '42: 39¼" x 21"
Shark Sighting: 37½" x 23"

Edition Sizes:
Summer of '42: 850
Shark Sighting: 650

Secondary Market

Here for your consideration is an exclusive TWO-PRINT SET by aviation artist extraordinaire John Shaw featuring the American Volunteer Group led by Claire Chennault - the Flying Tigers. Included in the set are "SUMMER OF '42: A TRIBUTE TO CHENNAULT'S FLYING TIGERS" (Main Edition) and a like-numbered "SHARK SIGHTING" (Main Edition). Each print is from a signed and numbered limited edition. Don't miss this UNPRECEDENTED opportunity to own these TWO amazing prints with the SAME PRINT NUMBER in their respective editions!

During 1941, as the cruel cloud of Axis tyranny spread throughout the East, the brave men and women of the American Volunteer Group, under the command of Claire Lee Chennault, were the first Americans to successfully resist Japanese aggressors over China. Nicknamed the Flying Tigers, and armed with little else than a batch of Curtiss P-40 fighters rerouted from lend-lease delivery to Britain, the AVG was divided into three squadrons known as the Adam and Eves, Panda Bears, and Hell's Angels. Living and playing hard, they swung into first action in the skies over Burma and China about 2 weeks following the attack on Pearl Harbor, and immediately began a series of aerial victories that would become the stuff of legend. By the summer of 1942, the U.S. Army Air Corps had established a base at historic and exotic Kweilin, China, and planned to induct as many of the AVG as possible back into official U.S. service.

"SUMMER OF '42" depicts the ancient beauty of the Li River, where for centuries Chinese fishermen would use trained cormorants in their efforts. During these times, the serenity would routinely be disturbed as AVG fighters returned to their nearby Kweilin base, in this case, an assortment of P-40C "Tomahawks" and P-40Es, bearing the familiar shark-mouthed motif the unit was famous for. After achieving a remarkable combat record, the AVG was disbanded July 4, 1942, to be succeeded by the United States Army Air Corps' 23rd Fighter Group, which also served with distinction though the end of the war. The 23rd remains active to this day as the United States Air Force's 23rd Fighter Wing, its aircraft still carrying on the tradition of the Flying Tigers' shark teeth.

In addition to the artist "SUMMER OF '42" is individually hand signed in pencil by EIGHTEEN distinguished original AVG Flying Tigers:

1st PURSUIT SQUADRON:
  • Charlie Bond (Vice Squadron Leader)
  • Joe Rosbert (Flight Leader)
  • Dick Rossi (Flight Leader)
  • Morgan Vaux (Communications)
2nd PURSUIT SQUADRON:
  • David 'Tex' Hill (Squadron Leader)
  • Bob Layher (Flight Leader)
  • Charlie Mott (Flight Leader)
  • Peter Wright (Flight Leader)
3rd PURSUIT SQUADRON:
  • Frank A. Andersen (Crew Chief)
  • Charles Baisden (Armorer)
  • Paul Clouthier (Operations)
  • Ken Jernstedt (Flight Leader)
  • Frank Losonsky (Crew Chief)
  • Joe Poshefko (Armorer)
  • Leo Schramm (Crew Chief)
  • Ed Stiles (Crew Chief)
GROUP HEADQUARTERS SECTION:
  • Ed Janski (Propeller Specialist)
  • 'Red' Foster Petach (Nurse)

Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Before the pilots of the legendary American Volunteer Group could take to the skies against the enemy, armorers had the all-important task of sighting the weaponry of their Curtiss P-40 Tomahawks out on the firing range. This involved leveling out the aircraft and fine-tuning the aim of each .30 caliper wing gun on a target set about 300 yards away. When the fire of all four converged, the result was devastating, as the AVG's record of over 300 enemy aircraft destroyed or damaged could attest.

"SHARK SIGHTING" recreates a scene in which an AVG P-40 is bore-sighted on the firing range during the first months of World War II. Elements representing all three AVG squadrons are featured as well as likenesses of real men who were there. (The pilot is painted in the likeness of "Tex" Hill; the armorer shown beside him is painted in the likeness of Chuck Baisden, both of whom signed this print.)

In addition to the artist "SHARK SIGHTING" is individually hand signed in pencil by ELEVEN distinguished original AVG Flying Tigers:

  • Charles Baisden (Armorer)
  • Paul Clouthier (Operations)
  • David 'Tex' Hill (Squadron Leader)
  • Ed Janski (Propeller Specialist)
  • Ken Jernstedt (Flight Leader)
  • Bob Keeton (Flight Leader)
  • Frank Losonsky (Crew Chief)
  • Joe Poshefko (Armorer)
  • Roland Richardson (Communication)
  • Dick Rossi (Flight Leader)
  • Peter Wright (Flight Leader)

Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.