| 353rd
Fighter Group in aviation art prints by leading aviation artists Robert
Taylor, Simon Smith, David Pentland, Stan Stokes.
Top Cover by Stan Stokes. The painting depicts a P-51D Mustang (flown by William
Bailey of the 353rd Fighter Group) flying escort for B-17 Flying
Fortresses of the U.S. Armys Eighth Air Force. The scene is over the
French countryside during late 1944, and several more hours of high
altitude flying lies ahead of these pilots before the days work is over.
Bombing played a major role in the Allies victory in Europe. The RAF
relied primarily on night bombing which was also called strategic
bombing. Day time bombing was a necessity for hitting specific targets
such as munition plants, dams, and submarine pens. The Mighty Eighth
took on responsibility for most of the day time bombing missions. The
hazards and discomforts of high altitude flying, the perils of enemy
flak batteries, and the threat of enemy fighters made these missions
exceedingly dangerous until only very late in the war. Fighter escort
was critically important in improving the odds of a successful mission,
and the P-51 became arguably the premier aircraft for providing that
cover. The P-51 is generally acknowledged as Americas top fighter plane
of World War II. The first Mustangs were ordered by the British
Government in 1940. The USAAF was initially reluctant to order the
Mustang, having already committed itself to the P-38 Lightning, the P-47
Thunderbolt, the P-40 Warhawk, and the P-39 Airacobra. In 1944 an
improved version of the Mustang, the D, came off North American
Aviations assembly line in California. It was dramatically altered from
earlier versions, as major changes in fuselage design were incorporated
to improve pilot visibility. The P-51D was powered by a Packard-built,
Rolls Royce-designed, liquid cooled V-12 engine which generated 1,612
HP. The Mustang had a top speed of 436 MPH, a range of 949 miles, and an
operational ceiling in excess of 42,000 feet. Nearly 8,000 P-51Ds were
produced. In service with the USAAF Mustangs flew in excess of 200,000
missions, and were credited with destroying nearly 5,000 enemy aircraft.
The Mustang was unique in its ability to provide long range fighter
escort, and this greatly enhanced the effectiveness of Allied bombing
missions. On returning from their escort missions Mustangs would
generally split into squadrons and take varying routes home looking for
targets of opportunity.
Dove of Peace by David Pentland P51D of Colonel Glenn Duncan C.O. of the 353rd Fighter Group, along
with "Betty-E" flown by Lt. Colonel Wayne Blickenstaff, taking
off on one of their last missions of the war, April 1945.
|
| Little Friends by Simon Smith. The aircraft in the foreground bears the name Alabama Rammer Jammer, the personal mount of 2/Lt Arthur Cundy ,352nd FS, 353rd FG. The 353rds yellow and black chequered nose bands were one of the most distinctive recognition features of all the Eighths fighter groups. Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm). Price £95.00
Limited edition of artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm). Price £135.00
Blakeslee Presentation Edition of 5 Artist Proofs, supplied double matted. Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm). Price £300.00 Features the mounted original signature of Colonel Don Blakeslee. ITEM CODE DHM1464 |
| Top Cover by Stan Stokes. The painting depicts a P-51D Mustang (flown by William Bailey of the 353rd Fighter Group) flying escort for B-17 Flying Fortresses of the U.S. Armys Eighth Air Force. The scene is over the French countryside during late 1944, and several more hours of high altitude flying lies ahead of these pilots before the days work is over. Bombing played a major role in the Allies victory in Europe. The RAF relied primarily on night bombing which was also called strategic bombing. Day time bombing was a necessity for hitting specific targets such as munition plants, dams, and submarine pens. The Mighty Eighth took on responsibility for most of the day time bombing missions. The hazards and discomforts of high altitude flying, the perils of enemy flak batteries, and the threat of enemy fighters made these missions exceedingly dangerous until only very late in the war. Fighter escort was critically important in improving the odds of a successful mission, and the P-51 became arguably the premier aircraft for providing that cover. The P-51 is generally acknowledged as Americas top fighter plane of World War II. The first Mustangs were ordered by the British Government in 1940. The USAAF was initially reluctant to order the Mustang, having already committed itself to the P-38 Lightning, the P-47 Thunderbolt, the P-40 Warhawk, and the P-39 Airacobra. In 1944 an improved version of the Mustang, the D, came off North American Aviations assembly line in California. It was dramatically altered from earlier versions, as major changes in fuselage design were incorporated to improve pilot visibility. The P-51D was powered by a Packard-built, Rolls Royce-designed, liquid cooled V-12 engine which generated 1,612 HP. The Mustang had a top speed of 436 MPH, a range of 949 miles, and an operational ceiling in excess of 42,000 feet. Nearly 8,000 P-51Ds were produced. In service with the USAAF Mustangs flew in excess of 200,000 missions, and were credited with destroying nearly 5,000 enemy aircraft. The Mustang was unique in its ability to provide long range fighter escort, and this greatly enhanced the effectiveness of Allied bombing missions. On returning from their escort missions Mustangs would generally split into squadrons and take varying routes home looking for targets of opportunity. Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £37.00
Signed by Colonel William B Bailey - pilot of the Double Trouble Two.Signed limited edition of 225 prints. Size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm). Price £74.00 ITEM CODE STK0034 |
|
Top Cover by Stan Stokes. The painting depicts a P-51D Mustang (flown by William
Bailey of the 353rd Fighter Group) flying escort for B-17 Flying
Fortresses of the U.S. Armys Eighth Air Force. The scene is over the
French countryside during late 1944, and several more hours of high
altitude flying lies ahead of these pilots before the days work is over.
Bombing played a major role in the Allies victory in Europe. The RAF
relied primarily on night bombing which was also called strategic
bombing. Day time bombing was a necessity for hitting specific targets
such as munition plants, dams, and submarine pens. The Mighty Eighth
took on responsibility for most of the day time bombing missions. The
hazards and discomforts of high altitude flying, the perils of enemy
flak batteries, and the threat of enemy fighters made these missions
exceedingly dangerous until only very late in the war. Fighter escort
was critically important in improving the odds of a successful mission,
and the P-51 became arguably the premier aircraft for providing that
cover. The P-51 is generally acknowledged as Americas top fighter plane
of World War II. The first Mustangs were ordered by the British
Government in 1940. The USAAF was initially reluctant to order the
Mustang, having already committed itself to the P-38 Lightning, the P-47
Thunderbolt, the P-40 Warhawk, and the P-39 Airacobra. In 1944 an
improved version of the Mustang, the D, came off North American
Aviations assembly line in California. It was dramatically altered from
earlier versions, as major changes in fuselage design were incorporated
to improve pilot visibility. The P-51D was powered by a Packard-built,
Rolls Royce-designed, liquid cooled V-12 engine which generated 1,612
HP. The Mustang had a top speed of 436 MPH, a range of 949 miles, and an
operational ceiling in excess of 42,000 feet. Nearly 8,000 P-51Ds were
produced. In service with the USAAF Mustangs flew in excess of 200,000
missions, and were credited with destroying nearly 5,000 enemy aircraft.
The Mustang was unique in its ability to provide long range fighter
escort, and this greatly enhanced the effectiveness of Allied bombing
missions. On returning from their escort missions Mustangs would
generally split into squadrons and take varying routes home looking for
targets of opportunity.
Dove of Peace by David Pentland P51D of Colonel Glenn Duncan C.O. of the 353rd Fighter Group, along
with "Betty-E" flown by Lt. Colonel Wayne Blickenstaff, taking
off on one of their last missions of the war, April 1945.
|
|
