Description
16 Signature Collectors Edition
P-51 Mustangs of the 357th Fighter Group clash with Me109’s in close combat as they struggle for air superiority over the heart of Germany, during the desperate days of 1945.
It had begun; the end game was inexorably in play. The final defeat of Germany and the end of Nazi tyranny was almost within sight but in the skies over Germany the defiant remnants of the Luftwaffe fought on with savage determination.
Ever since the long-range American P-51 escort fighters had first appeared, the skies over the Reich had witnessed grim encounters with the Mustangs taking on the Luftwaffe as they tried to stop the heavy bombers of the USAAF reaching their targets. By early 1945 it was a losing battle, but still the Luftwaffe fought on and, in the resulting maelstrom of combat, the Mustang pilots still had their work cut out against these battle hardened, expert pilots.
Robert Taylor’s superb drawing, the latest in his much-acclaimed Graphite Series, dramatically reconstructs one such clash in early 1945 as P-51 Mustangs of the 357th Fighter Group have spotted a group of Bf109s heading their way. Without hesitation they dive head-on in an attempt to break-up the enemy formation and for the pilots on both sides the explosive encounter of close combat is suddenly upon them.
Limited edition prints of this classic Robert Taylor Master Drawing have been signed over the last few years by some of the most respected USAAF P-51 and distinguished Luftwaffe pilots who duelled in those merciless skies over Europe. Since signing the prints some of these legendary names have very sadly passed away, making it one of the most collectible editions of recent years.
Overall Print Size: approx 22.5 x 16 inches
The Signatories:
Colonel CLARENCE ‘BUD’ ANDERSON
357th Fighter Group Ace with 161/4 victories
Captain WILLIAM ‘BILL’ OVERSTREET
357th Fighter Group Ace with 5 victories
Leutnant HUGO BROCH
JG54 – Knight’s Cross with 81 victories
Oberleutnant WALTER WOLFRUM
Staffelkapitän 1./JG52 – Knight’s Cross and one of the Luftwaffe’s top 50 Aces with 137 victories.
Generalleutnant GUNTHER RALL
Kommandeur III./JG52 and II./JG11 & Kommodore JG300
Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords with 275 victories
Leutnant JORG CZPIONKA
NJG11 – Iron Cross with 2 victories
Captain JIM BROOKS
31st Fighter Group Ace with 13 victories
Lieutenant Colonel CLYDE B. EAST
10th Photo Reconnaissance Group P-51 Ace with 141/2 victories
Colonel ART FIEDLER
325th Fighter Group P-51 Ace with 8 victories
Colonel JOE PETERSBURS
P-51 pilot with the 20th Fighter Group, he shot down the Me262 jet flown by legendary Ace Walter Schuck.
Oberleutnant KURT SCHULTZ
3.(F)11, KG2, JG5, Staffelkapitän 1./JG51 and 13./JG5. Iron Cross with 3 victories.
First Lieutenant CLINT WHITE
31st Fighter Group P-51 pilot
Hauptmann GUNTHER NORDENHOLZ
JG11 Me109 Pilot with 1 victory
Oberfeldwebel ERICH AXTHAMMER
SG10 – Knight’s Cross with 4 air victories plus numerous tanks and ground targets destroyed
Unteroffizier GUSTAV DREES
JG54, JG108 with 4 victories
Unteroffizier JOHANNES OESTERHELT
JG52 Me109 Pilot with 2 victories
