Details
EAGLES ON THE RAMPAGE
by Robert Taylor
Overall Print Size: 30½" x 26¾"
Edition Size: 600
The greatness of the P-51 Mustang is beyond doubt - it was the fighter pilot's ultimate machine. Tough, hard-hitting, it handled beautifully and - once the mighty Merlin engine had been included - possessed a performance unrivalled by any single piston-engined fighter of World War II. British inspired and American built, the P-51 was the aircraft the eager young pilots of the Eighth Air Force had been waiting for. With drop tanks fitted, they could now escort the heavy bombers all the way to Germany - and back. By the end of 1944 all but one of the Mighty Eighth's Fighter Groups were flying this outstanding aircraft.
Formed in September 1942 from the Royal Air Force Eagle Squadrons, the Fourth Fighter Group was the oldest fighter unit in the Eighth Air Force, and one of the most distinguished. Under the command of Don Blakeslee, described as 'probably the best fighter leader of the war,' the combined air and ground victories notched up by 'The Eagles' during World War II surpassed any other fighter group. They were the first to penetrate German air space and the first to engage the Luftwaffe over Berlin. Hermann Goering later remarked that when he saw those Mustangs over Berlin, he knew that the war was lost.
"DAMBUSTERS – THE LAST MOMENTS OF THE MÖHNE DAM" portrays the unfolding drama played out in those early hours of 17 May 1943. Guy Gibson and Mick Martin have both made successful runs, and 'Hoppy' Hopgood, hit by the flak, has crashed in flames. The dam wall, however, has held firm. Now it was the turn of Melvin 'Dinghy' Young in Lancaster AJ-A. In this vividly accurate scene, Gibson and Martin help draw the enemy’s fire as 'Dinghy' Young clears the dam's parapet seconds after releasing his bomb. A few moments later Young's bomb successfully detonated against the dam and deep groans rumbled through the granite wall as the shock ripped through it; under such stress the mighty blocks were imperceptibly shifting. The dam was mortally wounded.
It is fitting therefore that Robert Taylor has chosen the Fourth Fighter Group for his classic painting "EAGLES ON THE RAMPAGE" to represent all the pilots who flew P-51s with the Unites States Army Air Force. In this magnificent Masterwork the world's premier aviation artist portrays the group sweeping across the wide open skies, itching for a crack at the enemy. Each print in this outstanding edition is signed by some of the most famous Mustang pilots who flew in the European Theatre during World War II. Every signatory in the edition reached Ace status, creating a historic collectors' edition which may never be surpassed.
In addition to the artist this print has been individually hand-signed in pencil by TEN of the USAAF’s Aces who flew Mustangs in Europe during World War II. Together they clocked up many thousands of hours flying P-51s on operational combat missions and amassed almost ONE HUNDRED VICTORIES between them:
- Colonel CLARENCE 'BUD'ANDERSON (16¼ victories)
- Captain JAMES BROOKS (13 victories)
- Lieutenant Colonel DONALD CUMMINGS (6½ victories)
- Colonel BARRIE S. DAVIS (6 victories)
- Lieutenant Colonel CLYDE B. EAST (13 victories)
- Colonel ARTHUR 'ART' FIEDLER (8 victories)
- Lieutenant Colonel ROBERT 'BOB'KARR (6 victories)
- Lieutenant General GEORGE G. LOVING (5 victories)
- Colonel STEVE PISANOS (10 victories)
- Major General DONALD STRAIT (13½ victories)
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
