Military Art Prints - Days of Thunder

Extreme Speed Reading EBook.
Earn 75% Of $14.47. Speed Reading EBook - Great For Everybod...

The Fear Of Flying Handbook | 75% Commission.
Thats Right - 75% Commission From The Newest Product In The ...

Life Changing Self Hypnosis MP3s By Email.
Self Hypnosis Mp3s By Licensed Hypnosis Counselor Richard Bl...

8 Mbk Kites - The Complete 1-Skewer Series.
Pdf EBook. Comprehensive Information On Making And Flying 8 ...

RAF Duxford's history goes back to the First World War, when its buildings were constructed by German POWs!
First occupants were the RAF's No 8 Squadron in 1919, and in 1940 Duxford became famous as an important Battle of Britain fighter station, housing Douglas Bader's Hurricane Wing.

The arrival of the USAAF's 78th Fighter Group in April 1943, with their big P-47 Razorback Thunderbolt fighters, brought a new dimension to the Cambridgeshire base, the Americans quickly becoming part of the local community.

But they were on a deadly mission: Given the task of escorting Eighth Air Force B-17 Fortress and B-24 Liberator heavy bombers on the awesome daylight raids, the USAAF fighter units were thrown into battle from the day they arrived.

Beginning with high altitude fighter sweeps over France and Holland, followed by long range escort missions providing much needed defence for the bombers against roaming Luftwaffe fighters - auxiliary fuel tanks taking them ever deeper into Germany. With the approach of D-Day, the robust P-47s, now supplemented with the sleeker, bubble canopy D models, became engaged in low-level ground attacks in preparation for the coming invasion.

The USAAF fighter escorts made an impact from day one, drastically reducing bomber losses, and racking up impressive kill ratios against the Luftwaffe, and by the spring of 1944, the Allies had gained vital air superiority over the Luftwaffe in the fearsome air war raging over occupied Europe. The 78th Fighter Group from Duxford played their part.

Richard Taylor commemorates the valiant contribution of the 78th Fighter Group with a fine new rendition showing P-47D Thunderbolts departing Duxford en route for the north coast of France, and a low-level strafing mission. It is the spring of 1944, and with the Normandy invasion just days away, the Thunderbolts are already painted with invasion markings. A striking and emotive painting from a rare emerging talent.

Joining artist Richard Taylor in signing this outstanding tribute to the P47 Thunderbolt, each print in the entire edition is signed by Colonel 'Shorty' Rankin, one of the most respected P47 fighter Aces who flew combat over Europe during World War II.

'Shorty' Rankin joined the Army Reserves as a Private in 1941. He served as an Aviation Cadet, and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant., and rated a pilot in April 1943. Posted to England, in August he joined the 61st FS, 56th Fighter Group, flying P47Ds, and scored his first victory, an Me 109, over Paris in early 1944. His tally of victories continued to rise quickly, and on 12 May he achieved Ace status when, during the same combat, he downed a total of five enemy Mel09s over Germany in the space of thirty minutes. 'Shorty' got the last of his 10 air victories, another Me 109, on 7 June.

Every print in this exclusive Fighter Aces edition has been signed by three additional P47 top fighter Aces, who all flew combat in Europe during WWII. There are a total of FOUR signatures in this edition.

One of World War Us highest scoring Aces, 'Bud, Mahurin also gained a reputation as one of the USAAFs most colourful characters. Arriving in England in early 1943 to join the 56th Fighter Group flying P47s, 'Bud' indulged in seventeen months of heavy aerial fighting during which he suffered one crash and was forced to bail out three times, finally landing behind enemy lines. Undaunted he made contact with the French Resistance, and made his way back to England. By this time he had shot down 21 German aircraft. He then transferred to the South West Pacific where he added a Japanese aircraft to his score. During the Korean War 'Bud' commanded the 4th Fighter Interceptor Group where he added 3 1/2 MIGI5s to his tally before being shot down, to spend a gruelling sixteen months as a POW.

Steve Pisanos volunteered to fly with the RAF in 1941, joining other Americans in 71 Eagle Squadron RAF flying Spitfires. In October 1942 he transferred with the other Americans into the USAAF, joining the 4th Fighter Group on P47s. On 5 March he became an Ace when he got his fifth victory on an escort mission over France, but was forced down following an engine failure. Skillfully evading capture by the pursuing Germans, he joined up with the French Resistance and served behind the lines with both the American OSS and the British SOE. He eventually made it back to England in September 1944 following the Allied liberation of Paris.

Joining Hub Zemke's famous 'Wolfpack' - the 56th Fighter Group, Les Smith went to England with the Group, sailing on the Queen Elizabeth and arriving at their first base at Kings Cliffe in January 1943. Flying P47s, the Group flew their first combat mission on 13 April 1943 and Les was soon into the thick of the action when he damaged an Fwl90 several weeks later. Already an Ace by the time he completed his first tour in May 1944, he returned to the US, but was soon back in England for a second tour, this time as CO of the 62nd FS. Promoted Deputy Group CO, and finally Air Inspector of the 65th Fighter Wing, by the end of the war his air victory tally stood at 7 plus another 4 1/2 ground victories.

Richard Taylor, has always shown an exceptional ability to draw. Not surprising perhaps, having been brought up in a family where drawing, painting, and print publishing pervaded daily life, but in his case a quite unusual talent was obvious, seemed certain, and when A future in the world of art Richard attended Bath Spa University College studying Graphic Design, he excelled, producing a remarkable body of creative work.

Under the guidance of his father Robert, Richard's skills fast matured, Galleries started exhibiting his work, and he found himself immersed in commissions. No matter what the subject, Richard took it all in his stride. But deep down, his heart always lay with his passion for aircraft - as his father says "it must be in the genes".

Richard Taylor is a young talent not to be ignored. His enthusiasm for painting and his natural flair are clearly demonstrated in his aviation paintings, several now issued as a limited editions. In joinins: The Military Gallery - the same

publishing house that has represented his father Robert for over 30 years -Richard Taylor is carving out an exciting career for himself: a career that discerning collectors of the genre will no doubt wish to hold a stake in.

The artist s father, renowned aviation artist Robert Taylor, explains one of his many painting techniques to his son Richard.

IMPORTANT! Before you purchase, please visit our home page ('MilitaryArt Home' in the left column), for vital information, regarding methods of payment.

Here, you will find a growing number of mainly, limited edition prints, for your collections. These will have been painted, or drawn, by some of the finest military artists in the world today.

If you are searching for a particular print, or subject, then please ask me and I shall do my best to track it/them down for you. Just send me a request signal. CLICK HERE.

Ray Cunningham
Sovereign Art Company, Inc.
Remember, to email me, CLICK HERE