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Grumman Hellcat in aviation art
prints by leading aviation artists Robert Taylor, Stan Stokes, Nicholas
Trudgian and Ivan Berryman. This aviation art prints of the hellcat are
available direct form Cranston Fine Arts
Off to the Turkey Shoot by Stan Stokes.At
the time of the attack of Pearl Harbor the Japanese had superior
aircraft and plenty of experienced pilots fresh from combat in China. By
1944 the roles were reversed. Anxious to commence B-29 bombing missions
against the Japanese homeland Rear Admiral Marc Mitschers Task Force 58
was given the assignment of supporting the recapture of the Marianas.
This proved to be the last major carrier battle of World War II. On June
11, 1944 large formations of Hellcats were dispatched to lure Japanese
land-based fighters into combat. Enough Japanese fighters were destroyed
to allow the Fifth Fleet to land 140,000 troops on Saipan and Guam on
June 15th. Also on June 15th the Japanese main fleet joined up with its
mobile fleet about 300-400 miles from Task Force 58. Vice Admiral Ozawa
detached a force to use as bait to lure the Americans within range of
the main fleet. His bait not taken, on June 19th Ozawa launched three
air strikes with about 250 aircraft. The relatively inexperienced
Japanese pilots now flying technically inferior aircraft were decimated
by the Grumman Hellcats of Task Force 58. By days end Ozawa had lost 218
aircraft, and while unprotected his fleet had been attacked by American
submarines resulting in the sinking of two of his carriers. Late in the
afternoon of June 20th American Hellcats, Helldivers, and Avengers were
launched at Ozawas fleet, resulting in the loss of one more carrier and
severe damage to another two. As his airwings returned after dark
Admiral Mitscher ordered his fleet to light-up, which enabled many of
the American aircraft to return safely. About a third of the planes were
forced to ditch with the loss of thirteen crewman. The Grumman F6F-5
Hellcat pictured, became the Navys primary carrier borne fighter plane
during World War II. Over 12,000 Hellcats were produced, and the Hellcat
was credited with 4,947 of the 6,477 kills of enemy planes downed by
carrier pilots during the War. The Hellcat had a top speed of 375 MPH, a
range of 1,089 miles and was armed with six machine guns. The aircraft
was powered by an 18-cylinder Pratt and Whitney, air-cooled, radial
engine which generated 2,000 horsepower. As depicted by Stokes is the
aircraft of Squadron Commander David McCampbell of the USS Essex.
McCampbell is the highest scoring US Naval aviator of all time.
USS Lexington by Stan Stokes.
The Lady Lex,
(CV-2) as she was popularly called, was one of only a handful of
carriers available when the U.S. was plunged into WW II. Although the
Lex would be lost during the War, she played an important combat role
early in the War. In Stans painting, of the 2nd USS Lexington (CV-16)
F6F Hellcats pass over the Lady.
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| Scramble for the Marianas by Nicolas Trudgian. On June 19, 1944 American Navy pilots ripped into wave after wave of enemy aircraft. As each new onslaught arrived there were more fighters there to meet them. Other squadrons joined in the melee and the radio circuits crackled with shouts and cries of encouragement. Hell this is like an old time turkey shoot! yelled one pilot - and thus the battle became known as the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot. By the late afternoon two Japanese carriers had been sunk by submarines, and an incredible 373 enemy planes shot down. The U.S. Navy pilots had won an historic victory. Seen hurtling off the deck of the U.S.S. Lexington is the F6F Hellcat of Lt. Alex Vraciu of Fighting Squadron VF-16. With 12 victories already to his credit, Vraciu would add a further 6 to his tally in the space of just 8 minutes on that momentous day. Signed limited edition of 1000 prints. Paper size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £325.00 Signed by Commander Alex Vraciu USN, Captain Richard Zeke Cormier, Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN and Captain Armistead Chick Smith.
Limited edition of 125 publishers proofs. Paper size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £400.00 Signed by Commander Alex Vraciu USN, Captain Richard Zeke Cormier, Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN and Captain Armistead Chick Smith. ITEM CODE DHM2663 |
| Hellcat Fury by Robert Taylor. Truk, the small atoll in the South Pacific, was the major anchorage for the Japanese Fleet. Comprising a magnificent harbor and four heavily defended airfields, it was thought impregnable by the US forces as they fought their way up through the Pacific. But on 16-17 February 1944 a violent two-day aerial assault by carrierborne aircraft of Task Force 58 exploded the myth. In just two days the US Navy flyers sunk over 200,000 tons of Japanese naval shipping and destroyed an estimated 275 enemy aircraft, totally eliminating all effectiveness of the Japanese base. Light as the US Navy losses were only 25 aircraft failed to return the battle for Truk was ferocious. The ground installations, ships, and airfield batteries put up intense antiaircraft fire against the attacking American aircraft, while Zeros did their best to repel the onslaught. The air above the atoll became a maelstrom of flak, tracer, flying lead and shrapnel, while below huge explosions rocked the ground as ammo and fuel dumps were hit, fires raged, and the acrid smoke of battle pervaded the entire area. In this important new painting, his first featuring the F6F Hellcat, Robert Taylor brings to life the scenario that was crucial to Admiral Spruances forceful drive through the Central Pacific. The once feared Japanese base at Truk is being reduced to a statistic of war. Hellcats of VF6 hurtle across the lagoon at masthead height with guns blazing, creating havoc as they tear into the enemy positions below. Seen in the foreground is the F6F-3 of Lt. Alex Vracui, subsequently to become one of the Navys top guns. This exhilarating work dramatically conveys the awesome conditions endured day after day by the pilots of the US Navy and Marine Corps in the Pacific. Aces Edition. Signed limited edition of 450 prints. Paper size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm). Price £200.00 Signed by Commander Willis E Hardy USN, Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN and Commander Alex Vraciu USN.
War in the Pacific Edition. Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Paper size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm). Price £395.00 Signed by Commander Willis E Hardy USN, Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN, Commander Alex Vraciu USN, Commander John Ted Crosby USN, Colonel Archie G Donahue USMC, Lt Commander Fred Buck Dungan USN, Lt Commander James E Duffy USN, Captain John R Strane USN and Commander Ed Wendy Wendorf USN.
War in the Pacific Edition. Signed limited edition of 300 prints. Image size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm). Price £250.00 Signed by Commander Willis E Hardy USN, Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN, Commander Alex Vraciu USN, Commander John Ted Crosby USN, Colonel Archie G Donahue USMC, Lt Commander Fred Buck Dungan USN, Lt Commander James E Duffy USN, Captain John R Strane USN and Commander Ed Wendy Wendorf USN.
Portfolio Publisher Proof Edition. Signed limited edition of 75 prints. Paper size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm). Price £395.00 Signed by Commander Willis E Hardy USN, Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN, Commander Alex Vraciu USN, Commander John Ted Crosby USN, Colonel Archie G Donahue USMC, Lt Commander Fred Buck Dungan USN, Lt Commander James E Duffy USN, Captain John R Strane USN, Commander Ed Wendy Wendorf USN, Colonel Bruce Porter USMC, Colonel James E Swett USMC MOH and Captain Stanley Swede Vejtasa USN. ITEM CODE NT0007 |
| USS Lexington by Stan Stokes. The Lady Lex, (CV-2) as she was popularly called, was one of only a handful of carriers available when the U.S. was plunged into WW II. Although the Lex would be lost during the War, she played an important combat role early in the War. In Stans painting, of the 2nd USS Lexington (CV-16) F6F Hellcats pass over the Lady. Limited edition of 950 prints. Print size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £74.00 ITEM CODE STK0071 |
| Off to the Turkey Shoot by Stan Stokes. At the time of the attack of Pearl Harbor the Japanese had superior aircraft and plenty of experienced pilots fresh from combat in China. By 1944 the roles were reversed. Anxious to commence B-29 bombing missions against the Japanese homeland Rear Admiral Marc Mitschers Task Force 58 was given the assignment of supporting the recapture of the Marianas. This proved to be the last major carrier battle of World War II. On June 11, 1944 large formations of Hellcats were dispatched to lure Japanese land-based fighters into combat. Enough Japanese fighters were destroyed to allow the Fifth Fleet to land 140,000 troops on Saipan and Guam on June 15th. Also on June 15th the Japanese main fleet joined up with its mobile fleet about 300-400 miles from Task Force 58. Vice Admiral Ozawa detached a force to use as bait to lure the Americans within range of the main fleet. His bait not taken, on June 19th Ozawa launched three air strikes with about 250 aircraft. The relatively inexperienced Japanese pilots now flying technically inferior aircraft were decimated by the Grumman Hellcats of Task Force 58. By days end Ozawa had lost 218 aircraft, and while unprotected his fleet had been attacked by American submarines resulting in the sinking of two of his carriers. Late in the afternoon of June 20th American Hellcats, Helldivers, and Avengers were launched at Ozawas fleet, resulting in the loss of one more carrier and severe damage to another two. As his airwings returned after dark Admiral Mitscher ordered his fleet to light-up, which enabled many of the American aircraft to return safely. About a third of the planes were forced to ditch with the loss of thirteen crewman. The Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat pictured, became the Navys primary carrier borne fighter plane during World War II. Over 12,000 Hellcats were produced, and the Hellcat was credited with 4,947 of the 6,477 kills of enemy planes downed by carrier pilots during the War. The Hellcat had a top speed of 375 MPH, a range of 1,089 miles and was armed with six machine guns. The aircraft was powered by an 18-cylinder Pratt and Whitney, air-cooled, radial engine which generated 2,000 horsepower. As depicted by Stokes is the aircraft of Squadron Commander David McCampbell of the USS Essex. McCampbell is the highest scoring US Naval aviator of all time. 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 limited edition of 225 prints. Size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm). Price £229.00 Signed by USN Ace Capt David McCampbell. ITEM CODE STK0076 |
Hellcat Fury by Nicholas Trudgian
Truk, the small atoll in the South
Pacific, was the major anchorage for the Japanese Fleet. Comprising a
magnificent harbor and four heavily defended airfields, it was thought
impregnable by the US forces as they fought their way up through the
Pacific. But on 16-17 February 1944 a violent two-day aerial assault by
carrierborne aircraft of Task Force 58 exploded the myth. In just two days
the US Navy flyers sunk over 200,000 tons of Japanese naval shipping and
destroyed an estimated 275 enemy aircraft, totally eliminating all
effectiveness of the Japanese base. Light as the US Navy losses were only
25 aircraft failed to return the battle for Truk was ferocious. The ground
installations, ships, and airfield batteries put up intense antiaircraft
fire against the attacking American aircraft, while Zeros did their best
to repel the onslaught. The air above the atoll became a maelstrom of
flak, tracer, flying lead and shrapnel, while below huge explosions rocked
the ground as ammo and fuel dumps were hit, fires raged, and the acrid
smoke of battle pervaded the entire area. In this important new painting,
his first featuring the F6F Hellcat, Robert Taylor brings to life the
scenario that was crucial to Admiral Spruance’s forceful drive through
the Central Pacific. The once feared Japanese base at Truk is being
reduced to a statistic of war. Hellcats of VF6 hurtle across the lagoon at
masthead height with guns blazing, creating havoc as they tear into the
enemy positions below. Seen in the foreground is the F6F-3 of Lt. Alex
Vracui, subsequently to become one of the Navy’s top guns. Additional Signatories:
Commander John 'Ted'
Crosby USN Colonel Archie G Donahue USMC Lt. Commander Fred 'Buck' Dungan USN
Lt. Commander James E Duffy USN Captain John R Strane USN Commander Ed 'Wendy' Wendorf USN
Last Voyage of the Yamato by Stan Stokes.The
74,000 ton Yamato and the Musashi were the two largest battleships ever
built, and typified the Imperial Japanese Navys attitude that their
ships should be superior to anything the United States had. As a
comparison the German Battleship Deutschland displaced a mere 15,500
tons. Each of these ships carried nine 18.1 inch guns, the most powerful
armament available on any ship at that point in time. The Yamato
participated in the attack on Midway,
serving as Admiral Yamamotos flag ship, and many of the other
significant sea battles in the Pacific. By the time the Allies were
preparing to invade Okinawa, the Japanese had been forced to utilize
Kikusui tactics which would involve mass suicide attacks and individual
suicide missions. The army had made numerous sacrifices, and senior
Japanese naval officers realized that the Yamato would need to be
sacrificed in the defense of Okinawa, as a matter of pride. The Yamatos
350-mile trip to Okinawa without any meaningful air cover would be a
suicide mission, and the ship and its escort vessels were equipped with
only enough fuel for a one-way trip. On April 6, 1945 the huge vessel
departed and was immediately sighted by two American submarines, the USS
Threadfin and the USS Hackleback. The information was passed on to the
USN task force, and on April 7 an F6F from the USS Essex spotted the
Yamato and relayed its position back to the USS Indianapolis, the flag
ship of Admiral Spruance. An initial attack force of 280 USN aircraft
were launched from nine American carriers, followed by a second wave of
aircraft from four other carriers. Knowing that the Japanese had no air
cover, the F6F Hellcats carried 500 pound bombs, and were joined by
Avenger torpedo bombers and Curtis SB2C dive bombers. The Americans had
learned from their earlier attack on the Musashi to concentrate torpedo
attacks on one side of the giant ship. The Yamato was hit with numerous
torpedoes and bombs. By 13:00 the giant battleship was listing 20
degrees to port and her antiaircraft guns were inoperative. At 14:10
another torpedo hit jammed the ships rudder, and the Yamato began to
circle at about 8 knots. At 14:23 the Yamato rolled over and exploded in
a giant mushroom cloud and sank with the loss of nearly 2,500 men. The
Grumman TBF Avenger was the first torpedo bomber produced by that
company. It bore a resemblance to the F4F Wildcat, and incorporated a
unique internal bomb bay capable of carrying a 2,000 lb torpedo or four
500 lb bombs. The TBF was a big aircraft with a wingspan of 54 feet, and
an empty weight of 10,080 lbs. It was capable of 271-MPH with a range of
1,215 miles. The Avenger incorporated a light weight electrically driven
rear ball turret. The Avenger was so successful that General Motors was
also pressed into service producing the aircraft with their version
designated as a TBM.
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