Robert Taylor
Home ] Up ] Nicholas Trudgian ] [ Robert Taylor ]

Home ] Up ] Nicholas Trudgian ] [ Robert Taylor ]

Google
 
Web www.world-wartwo.co.uk

Aviation art print by renowned aviation artist Robert Taylor, superb aviation art prints of the United States Air force by Robert Taylor shown in aviation art prints available from Cranston Fine Arts.

 

America Strikes Back by Robert Taylor

Ready to purchase from our secure site?
Click the editions below.

Signed limited edition of 550 prints.  Free Shipping £200.00
Limited edition of artist proofs.  Free Shipping £325.00

America Strikes Back by Robert Taylor

The very first air combat fought by American pilots following the surprise attack upon Pearl Harbor. In less than one hour America struck back in a war that was to end in total victory. As the assault mounted on the Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, simultaneously the air base at Wheeler Field came under heavy attack. Two young USAAF pilots, Kenneth Taylor and George Walsh, quickly got their P-40 Tomahawks airborne. Winging southwards towards Ewa Field they ripped into a dozen or more enemy planes attacking the marine field. Diving into the formation they each downed Val fighter-bombers. Robert Taylors painting shows Ken Taylor in his P-40 tomahawk, with George Walsh in close company, bringing down his second enemy aircraft on December 7, 1941, an Aichi D-3Al Val dive-bomber. In the background palls of smoke rise from Hangar 6 housing the naval float planes, and the up-turned battleship Oaklahoma.

Signed limited edition of 550 prints. Paper size 31 inches x 24 inches (79cm x 61cm). Price £200.00

Signed by Colonel William Dickman, Colonel David Tex Hill (deceased), Lt General Joe Moore, Brigadier General Kenneth Taylor and Colonel Earl Williams.


Limited edition of artist proofs. Paper size 31 inches x 24 inches (79cm x 61cm). Price £325.00

Signed by Colonel William Dickman, Colonel David Tex Hill (deceased), Lt General Joe Moore, Brigadier General Kenneth Taylor and Colonel Earl Williams.

ITEM CODE RT0299

Related Items and Offers: Click Images for Details

Ju88A-4 of KG.30 by Ivan Berryman.

Ju88A-4 of KG.30 by Ivan Berryman.

Item Price : £65

Tank Hunters by David Pentland. (P)

Tank Hunters by David Pentland. (P)

Item Price : £340

Doolittle Raiders by Robert Taylor.

Ready to purchase from our secure site?
Click the editions below.

Signed limited edition of 600 prints. £285.00
Limited edition of artist proofs. SOLD
OUT

Doolittle Raiders by Robert Taylor.

Doolittle Raiders take their B-25 bombers down to very low level and head for China after delivering their surprise attack on the industrial and military targets in and around Tokyo on April 18, 1942. The sixteen-ship mission, led by volunteer crews, successfully completed one of the most audacious air raids of World War II.

Signed limited edition of 600 prints. Paper size 34 inches x 25 inches (86cm x 64cm). Price £285.00

Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Richard E Cole, Staff Sergeant Rev Jacob DeSchazer, Major Thomas C Griffin, Major Nolan A Herndon, Major General David M Jones, Lieutenant Colonel Frank A Kappelar, Lieutenant Colonel James H Macia, Lieutenant Colonel Harry C McCool, Lieutenant Colonel Chase J Nielson, Colonel Henry A Potter, Staff Sergeant David J Thatcher, Brigadier General Everett W Holstrom, Major Howard A Sessler and Captain J Royden Stork.


Limited edition of artist proofs. Paper size 34 inches x 25 inches (86cm x 64cm). Price £

Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Richard E Cole, Staff Sergeant Rev Jacob DeSchazer, Major Thomas C Griffin, Major Nolan A Herndon, Major General David M Jones, Lieutenant Colonel Frank A Kappelar, Lieutenant Colonel James H Macia, Lieutenant Colonel Harry C McCool, Lieutenant Colonel Chase J Nielson, Colonel Henry A Potter, Staff Sergeant David J Thatcher, Brigadier General Everett W Holstrom, Major Howard A Sessler and Captain J Royden Stork.

ITEM CODE DHM2146

Related Items and Offers: Click Images for Details

Wolves at Saint Nazaire by Anthony Saunders. (APB)

Wolves at Saint Nazaire by Anthony Saunders. (APB)

Item Price : £350

Alfred Rubbel at Kursk by David Pentland. (P)

Alfred Rubbel at Kursk by David Pentland. (P)

Item Price : £430

Attack on the Hiei by Robert Taylor.

Marine Ace Captain Joe Foss leads a flight of eight F4F Wildcats of VMF121, based at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, in a diversionary attack on the Imperial Japanese battlecruiser Hiei north of Savo Island, Friday November 13, 1942. In the distance TBF Avenger torpedo bombers of VMSB-131, having already attacked from the starboard side, head for base. That evening, after relentless air attack, the Hiei, disappeared beneath the sea- the first Japanese battleship sunk by American Forces in World War II

Signed limited edition of 475 prints. Image size 34 inches x 24 inches (86cm x 61cm). Price £195.00

Signed by Brigadier General Joseph J Foss, Lt Colonel Roger Haberman, Lt Colonel William B Freeman and Colonel T W Boot Furlow.


Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Image size 34 inches x 24 inches (86cm x 61cm). Price £320.00

Signed by Brigadier General Joseph J Foss, Lt Colonel Roger Haberman, Lt Colonel William B Freeman and Colonel T W Boot Furlow.


Limited edition of 50 millenium proofs. Image size 34 inches x 24 inches (86cm x 61cm). Price £390.00

Signed by Brigadier General Joseph J Foss, Lt Colonel Roger Haberman, Lt Colonel William B Freeman, Colonel T W Boot Furlow, Lt Colonel Ronnie Hay and Commander Don Sheppard.

ITEM CODE DHM2436

Related Items and Offers: Click Images for Details

Captain Roy Brown engages the Red Baron, 21st April 1918 by Ivan Berryman. (APB)

Captain Roy Brown engages the Red Baron, 21st April 1918 by Ivan Berryman. (APB)

Item Price : £1150

Captain William Billy Bishop by Ivan Berryman. (APD)

Captain William Billy Bishop by Ivan Berryman. (APD)

Item Price : £410

Bringing the Peacemaker Home by Robert Taylor.

Ready to purchase from our secure site?
Click the editions below.

Signed limited edition of 750 prints. £200.00
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs.  Free Shipping £325.00

Bringing the Peacemaker Home by Robert Taylor.

Badly marked by Focke-Wulf 190’s the B-17 The Peacemaker of the 91st Bomb Group limps towards the sanctuary of the English coast escorted by P-51B Mustangs of the 361st Fighter Group. To keep her flying the crew are jettisoning everything that they can. The Peacemaker made it back to Bassingbourne that day, eight others did not.

Signed limited edition of 750 prints. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm). Price £200.00

Signed by Colonel C E Bud Anderson, Lt Col Jams D Fletcher, Lt Col Marion H Havelaar and Colonel Steve Pisanos.


Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image szie 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm). Price £325.00

Signed by Colonel C E Bud Anderson, Lt Col Jams D Fletcher, Lt Col Marion H Havelaar and Colonel Steve Pisanos.

ITEM CODE DHM2056

Related Items and Offers: Click Images for Details

The Defense of Rorkes Drift by Alphonse De Neuville.

The Defense of Rorkes Drift by Alphonse De Neuville.

Item Price : £50

U-203 Under Cover of Darkness by Anthony Saunders.

U-203 Under Cover of Darkness by Anthony Saunders.

Item Price : £95

Mission Beyond Darkness by Robert Taylor

Ready to purchase from our secure site?
Click the editions below.

Signed limited edition of 750 prints. £200.00
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs.  Free Shipping £325.00

Mission Beyond Darkness by Robert Taylor

Following the attack against Admiral Ozawas Japanese carrier fleet on June 20, 1944, Admiral Mitscher defies all rules of naval engagement: In total darkness, with the ever-present danger of enemy submarines, he orders every ship in his Task Force 58 to switch on lights to guide over 100 returning carrier-borne aircraft, all desperately low on fuel. Amid the confusion, unable to get a landing slot aboard the USS Lexington, and now out of fuel, a pilot and his gunner scramble from their ditched SB2B Curtiss Helldiver, as a Fletcher class destroyer manoeuvres to make the pick up.

Signed limited edition of 750 prints. Image size 34 inches x 23 inches (86cm x 58cm). Price £200.00

Signed by Commander Alex Vraciu USN, Captain Donald Gordon USN, Lieutenant Ralph Yaussi USNR and Air Gunner James Curry.


Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 34 inches x 23 inches (86cm x 58cm). Price £325.00

Signed by Commander Alex Vraciu USN, Captain Donald Gordon USN, Lieutenant Ralph Yaussi USNR and Air Gunner James Curry.

ITEM CODE DHM2058

Related Items and Offers: Click Images for Details

Spitire Prints - 4 Pack

Spitire Prints - 4 Pack

Item Price : £485

The Thin Red Line by Robert Gibb.

The Thin Red Line by Robert Gibb.

Item Price : £56

Thunderbolt Strike by Robert Taylor.

Ready to purchase from our secure site?
Click the editions below.

Signed limited edition of 1250 prints.  Free Shipping £165.00
Limited edition of artist proofs.  Free Shipping £265.00

Thunderbolt Strike by Robert Taylor.

A flight of P47 thunderbolts of the 404 Fighter group, 9th Air force, clear the target area after a low-level attack on the airfield inland from Le Havre, Normandy, 1944. Tracer winds up towards them from ground defences and almost all the aircraft have taken hits. Ground-attack pilots went in low, did the job and got our fast!

Signed limited edition of 1250 prints. Paper size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm). Price £165.00

Signed by Captain Paul Douglas, General James Hill and Colonel Joe Matte.


Limited edition of artist proofs. Image size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm). Price £265.00

Signed by Captain Paul Douglas, General James Hill and Colonel Joe Matte.

ITEM CODE DHM2073

Related Items and Offers: Click Images for Details

Thunderbolts and Lightnings by Nicolas Trudgian.

Thunderbolts and Lightnings by Nicolas Trudgian.

Buy With This For Only : £295

The Wolfpack by Robert Taylor. (B)

The Wolfpack by Robert Taylor. (B)

Buy With This For Only : £425

Mustang Recce by Robert Taylor.

Ready to purchase from our secure site?
Click the editions below.

Signed limited edition of 1500 prints. £80.00

Mustang Recce by Robert Taylor.

Russ Berg flies his 10th Recce Group P51s in low and fast, dodging flak and enemy fighters, to get vital photographs for General Patons advancing forces. A superb study of World War IIs most outstanding tactical fighter in action, in the hands of one of the USAAFs most distinguished and highly decorated pilots.

Signed limited edition of 1500 prints. Paper size 24 inches x 20 inches (61cm x 51cm). Price £80.00

Signed by Russ Berg.

ITEM CODE DHM2096

Related Items and Offers: Click Images for Details

Looking for Business by Ivan Berryman. (D)

Looking for Business by Ivan Berryman. (D)

Item Price : £120

U-203 Under Cover of Darkness by Anthony Saunders.

U-203 Under Cover of Darkness by Anthony Saunders.

Item Price : £95

Marauder Mission by Robert Taylor

B26 Marauders of the 386th Bomb Group 9th Air Force, returning from a strike against VI, rocket sites in the Pas de Calais, January 1944. The 9th Air Force became one of the most effective forces in the destruction of VI rocket sites, railroad yards, bridges and other enemy position in northern France and by May 1944, was despatching more than one thousand aircraft a day against targets in Normandy and the Pas de Calais.

Signed limited edition of 1250 prints. Paper size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm). Price £175.00

Signed by General John Moench, Colonel Roland Scott and Colonel Ashley Woolridge.


Limited edition of artist proofs. Paper size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm). Price £295.00

Signed by General John Moench, Colonel Roland Scott and Colonel Ashley Woolridge.


Multi Signed edition of 100 prints. Paper size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm). Price £275.00

Signed by General John Moench, Colonel Roland Scott, Colonel Ashley Woolridge, Major Carl Oates, Captain Earl Slanker and Colonel Richard Dick Denison.

ITEM CODE DHM2072

Related Items and Offers: Click Images for Details

The Battle of Waterloo by Felix Philippoteaux.

The Battle of Waterloo by Felix Philippoteaux.

Item Price : £56

Tank Hunters by David Pentland. (P)

Tank Hunters by David Pentland. (P)

Item Price : £340

Bogeys Eleven O Clock High by Robert Taylor

Ready to purchase from our secure site?
Click the editions below.

Signed limited edition of 1250 prints.  Free Shipping £200.00
Limited edition of artist proofs.  Free Shipping £325.00

Bogeys Eleven O Clock High by Robert Taylor

Doug Canning breaks radio silence to call the sighting of Admiral Yamamotos flight over the pacific island of Bourganville, 18 April 1943. After a two and a half hour, four hundred mile flight just above the waves, mission leader John Mitchell and his 16 ship raiding party push their P-38s to full power to complete one of the most remarkable ambushes in aviation history.

Signed limited edition of 1250 prints. Paper size 38 inches x 24 inches (97cm x 61cm). Price £200.00

Signed by Colonel John W Mitchell, Lt Colonel Roger J Ames, Colonel Rex Barber (deceased), Lt Colonel Doug Canning, Captain Delton Goerke, Captain Larry Graebener, Lt Colonel Besby F Holmes, Major Julius Jack Jacobson and Lt Colonel Louis R Kittel.


Limited edition of artist proofs. Paper size 38 inches x 24 inches (97cm x 61cm). Price £325.00

Signed by Colonel John W Mitchell, Lt Colonel Roger J Ames, Colonel Rex Barber (deceased), Lt Colonel Doug Canning, Captain Delton Goerke, Captain Larry Graebener, Lt Colonel Besby F Holmes, Major Julius Jack Jacobson and Lt Colonel Louis R Kittel.

ITEM CODE DHM2075

Related Items and Offers: Click Images for Details

Spitire Prints - 4 Pack

Spitire Prints - 4 Pack

Item Price : £485

Kampfgruppe Carius by David Pentland. (P)

Kampfgruppe Carius by David Pentland. (P)

Item Price : £340

Hostile Sky by Robert Taylor

Ready to purchase from our secure site?
Click the editions below.

Signed limited edition of 1250 prints.  Free Shipping £225.00
Limited edition of 125 artist proofs.  Free Shipping £395.00

Hostile Sky by Robert Taylor

A B-24 has been hit and is losing touch with the main bomber formation, as Luftwaffe pilots concentrated their attentions on the unfortunate aircraft. Two Fw190s, are zooming up for the kill on the damaged B-24. Seeing the desperate situation, a P-38 escort pilot has made a head-on attack, splitting the pair of Fw190s, and thwarting their attempt to finish off the B-24. Another P-38, aware of the situation, is turning into the path of the Fw190s, and Robert makes it clear in his dramatic portrayal that the action has some way to go before any conclusion will be reached.

Signed limited edition of 1250 prints. Paper size 33 inches x 25 inches (84cm x 64cm) Only one available.. Price £225.00

Signed by Colonel Gerald Brown, Colonel John Lowell, Hauptmann Alfred Grislawski (deceased) and Captain Gunther Schack.


Limited edition of 125 artist proofs. Paper size 33 inches x 25 inches (84cm x 64cm). Price £395.00

Signed by Colonel Gerald Brown, Colonel John Lowell, Hauptmann Alfred Grislawski (deceased) and Captain Gunther Schack.

ITEM CODE DHM2085

Related Items and Offers: Click Images for Details

U-203 Under Cover of Darkness by Anthony Saunders.

U-203 Under Cover of Darkness by Anthony Saunders.

Item Price : £95

Wolves at Saint Nazaire by Anthony Saunders. (APB)

Wolves at Saint Nazaire by Anthony Saunders. (APB)

Item Price : £350

Valour in the Pacific by Robert Taylor.

Ready to purchase from our secure site?
Click the editions below.

Signed limited edition of 1250 prints.  Free Shipping £200.00
Limited edition of artist proofs.  Free Shipping £325.00

Valour in the Pacific by Robert Taylor.

Depicted are B-29s of the 499th Bomb Group, 73rd Wing of the 20th Air Force. After a daylight raid on Tokyo, showing all the telltale signs of combat over the target, a Wing of the worlds largest and fastest-ever piston-engined bombers make their long over-water journey home, still many hours away at Saipan Island. At the extremity of their range, little friends, very-long-range P-51 Mustang escort fighters, peel off and head for home - leaving the mighty bombers to fend for themselves.

Signed limited edition of 1250 prints. Paper size 34 inches x 25 inches (86cm x 64cm). Price £200.00

Signed by Captain Turner G Brashear, Brigadier General Henry Huglin, Lieutenant Chester Marshall and Colonel Bob Morgan (deceased).


Limited edition of artist proofs. Paper size 34 inches x 25 inches (86cm x 64cm). Price £325.00

Signed by Captain Turner G Brashear, Brigadier General Henry Huglin, Lieutenant Chester Marshall and Colonel Bob Morgan (deceased).

ITEM CODE DHM2226

Related Items and Offers: Click Images for Details

The Battle of Waterloo by Felix Philippoteaux.

The Battle of Waterloo by Felix Philippoteaux.

Item Price : £56

Homeward Bound by Anthony Saunders.

Homeward Bound by Anthony Saunders.

Item Price : £85

Viper Venom by Robert Taylor.

Ready to purchase from our secure site?
Click the editions below.

Signed limited edition of 850 prints.  Free Shipping £200.00
Limited edition of artist proofs.  Free Shipping £325.00

Viper Venom by Robert Taylor.

Pilots from the 31st and the 52nd Fighter Wings climb their heavily armed F-16 Vipers out of Aviano Air Base, Italy, on a strike mission over Bosnia, June 1999.

Signed limited edition of 850 prints. Paper size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm). Price £200.00

Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Mike Boera and Lieutenant Colonel Dave L Goldfein.


Limited edition of artist proofs. Paper size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm). Price £325.00

Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Mike Boera and Lieutenant Colonel Dave L Goldfein.

ITEM CODE DHM2178

Related Items and Offers: Click Images for Details

Typhoons Outward Bound by Richard Taylor.

Typhoons Outward Bound by Richard Taylor.

Item Price : £95

The Defense of Rorkes Drift by Alphonse De Neuville.

The Defense of Rorkes Drift by Alphonse De Neuville.

Item Price : £50

Rolling Thunder by Robert Taylor.

Ready to purchase from our secure site?
Click the editions below.

Signed limited edition of 850 prints.  Free Shipping £200.00
Limited edition of artist proofs.  Free Shipping £325.00

Rolling Thunder by Robert Taylor.

Flying down Thud Ridge at just below the speed of sound, Jack Broughton leads an F-105 Thunderbolt raid on the power plant at Viet Tri, North Vietnam, March12, 1967. The target was destroyed.

Signed limited edition of 850 prints. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm). Price £200.00

Signed by Lt Colonel Harold W Bingaman, Lt Colonel Max C Brestel, Colonel Jacksel M Broughton and Colonel Leo K Thorsness.


Limited edition of artist proofs. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm). Price £325.00

Signed by Lt Colonel Harold W Bingaman, Lt Colonel Max C Brestel, Colonel Jacksel M Broughton and Colonel Leo K Thorsness.

ITEM CODE DHM2165

Related Items and Offers: Click Images for Details

Pack 772. Pack of two German WW2 tank prints by David Pentland, with Knights Cross signatures.

Pack 772. Pack of two German WW2 tank prints by David Pentland, with Knights Cross signatures.

Item Price : £280

The Fledgling by Ivan Berryman.

The Fledgling by Ivan Berryman.

Item Price : £75

Sky Giant by Robert Taylor.

Ready to purchase from our secure site?
Click the editions below.

Signed limited edition of 1000 prints.  Free Shipping £200.00

Sky Giant by Robert Taylor.

In the mid 1930s, at a time when Pan American had led the way with two generations of four0engined flying boats. the United States Navy sought a much larger, heavier flying boat for over-water reconnaissance bomber service. Consolidated Aircrafts PB2Y Coronado was the result, this massive all-metal flying boat first taking to the air in 1937. Several models and extensive modifications followed, and in 1943-44 a number of the latest types were converted for the Naval Air Transport Service for the carriage of cargo and passengers. This wartime fleet, based at San Franciscos Treasure Island and at Pan Americans North Beach facility, now part of New Yorks La Guardia Airport, performed vital transport services across the Atlantic and throughout the Pacific. Flown by contracted Pan Am crews, the Sky Giant saw its share of action. On one notable occasion Captain Bill Moss and his crew landed in heavy seas to rescue 48 survivors from a torpedoed merchantman, lifting off in a 15ft swell to fly the oil-soaked seamen 300 miles to safety.

Signed limited edition of 1000 prints. Paper size 33 inches x 22 inches (84cm x 56cm) Sold out edition. Only one secondary market print available.. Price £200.00

Signed by William W Moss.

ITEM CODE DHM2170

Related Items and Offers: Click Images for Details

Pack 772. Pack of two German WW2 tank prints by David Pentland, with Knights Cross signatures.

Pack 772. Pack of two German WW2 tank prints by David Pentland, with Knights Cross signatures.

Item Price : £280

Tank Hunters by David Pentland. (P)

Tank Hunters by David Pentland. (P)

Item Price : £340

Legend of Colin Kelly by Robert Taylor.

Ready to purchase from our secure site?
Click the editions below.

Signed limited edition of 750 prints.  Free Shipping £200.00
Limited edition of artist proofs.  Free Shipping £325.00

Legend of Colin Kelly by Robert Taylor.

December 10th 1941, Just three days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, captain Colin Kellys 19th BG B-17C is heavily outnumbered by Zeros as it returns to Clark Field after completing a successful bombing attack. With his aircraft on fire. Kelly remained at the controls whilst his crew bailed out. Seconds later the B-17 exploded. Colin Kelly gave his life and was posthumously awarded the DFC. A legend was born.

Signed limited edition of 750 prints. Paper size 33 inches x 23 inches (84cm x 58cm). Price £200.00

Signed by Master Sergeant James E Halkyard, Staff Sergeant Robert E Altman and Saburo Sakai (deceased).


Limited edition of artist proofs. Paper size 33 inches x 23 inches (84cm x 58cm). Price £325.00

Signed by Master Sergeant James E Halkyard, Staff Sergeant Robert E Altman and Saburo Sakai (deceased).

ITEM CODE DHM2154

Related Items and Offers: Click Images for Details

Heinkel / Dornier 525b by David Pentland.

Heinkel / Dornier 525b by David Pentland.

Item Price : £95

Scotland Forever by Lady Elizabeth Butler.

Scotland Forever by Lady Elizabeth Butler.

Item Price : £42

Fighting Tigers by Robert Taylor.

Ready to purchase from our secure site?
Click the editions below.

Signed limited edition of 500 prints. £240.00

Fighting Tigers by Robert Taylor.

On August 5, 1944, following a successful attack on Japanese forces just north of Changsha, P-40 Warhawks of the75th and 16th Fighter Squadrons, 23rd F.G., are attacked by enemy Nakajima fighters and a massive dog-fight has developed over the Hsiang Chiang river with aircraft wheeling and turning in all directions. The action is set against the distinctive, haunting landscape of Southern China, Roberts panoramic canvas capturing all the atmosphere of a crucial aerial campaign fought in the skies above a distant land so many years ago.

Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Paper size 32 inches x 23 inches (81cm x 58cm). Price £240.00

Signed by Major General John Alison, Colonel Tex Hill (deceased), Lt Colonel Don Lopez, Colonel Charles Older (deceased), Colonel Ed Rector and Brigadier General Wiltz Segura.

ITEM CODE DHM2465

Related Items and Offers: Click Images for Details

Scotland Forever by Lady Elizabeth Butler.

Scotland Forever by Lady Elizabeth Butler.

Item Price : £42

Alpine Scramble by Nicolas Trudgian. (D)

Alpine Scramble by Nicolas Trudgian. (D)

Item Price : £100

 

Company of Heroes by Robert Taylor  B-17 bombers. Signed by the artist and Robert Dees and Roland Whited. Returning to base following the ordeal of a gruelling daylight raid, when barrages of flak and the persistent attendance of enemy fighters were an accepted feature of the mission were, for the weary aircrews, moments of pure exhilaration.  The entire airfield suddenly transformed into a cacophony of noise and activity as, one after another, the mighty bombers landed and came to rest.  Jeeps scurried about collecting crews, whisking them away for debriefing and well-earned nourishment while groundcrews, after their anxious wait, milled around their charges.  The 34th Bomb Group's Queenie, first home to Mendlesham today, has come to a standstill, the co-pilot already briefing the crew chief on the state of the aircraft.  Another B-17 taxies while a jeep scurries across the tarmac to collect the crew of a third aircraft.  Other B-17s are already parked as the last man home makes his final approach, streaming vapour from a badly overheating engine.  It is April 1945.  The fickle English weather greets the returning airmen with a mixture of brilliant spring sunshine and passing  April showers. 

America Strikes Back by Robert Taylor  P-40 and Aichi D-3A1 in close combat.Signed by William Dickman, Tex Hill, Joe Moore, Ken Taylor, James Van den Hey and Earl Williams.

Doolittle Raiders by Robert Taylor  Signed by 14 B-25 Mitchell crew members: Richard Cole, Jacob DeSchazer, Thomas Griffin, Nolan Herndon, Everett Holstrom, David Jones, Frank Kappelar, James Macia, Harry McCool, Chase Nielson, Henry Potter, Howard Sessler, Roydon Stork, David Thatcher.

Attack on the Hei by Robert Taylor  Signatories: Joe Foss, William Freeman, Boot Furlow, Roger Haberman.

Bringing the Peacemaker Home by Robert Taylor  By 1944 the USAAF were despatching bombers deep into Germany on a grand scale. In June alone no fewer than 28,800 aircraft were despatched into hostile air space, the scale of operations such that enabled hitting a dozen or more different targets on a single day.

Even with the benefit of long-range fighter escort, the bomber formations had to run the gauntlet of the Luftwaffe's fighter defenses as they approached and departed the target area. With plenty of practice during the previous 12 months, the German fighter pilots had developed highly successful techniques of attack against the American four-engined bombers, and whenever they engaged in numbers, USAAF losses were heavy - 37 bombers failed to return from raids against synthetic oil plants and aircraft factories at Leipzig on June 29.

On July 20 it was the turn of the 91st Bomb Group to attack an airfield near Leipzig, suspected of harboring the new menace - the Luftwaffe's revolutionary Messerschmitt Me262 jet. As the formation spread out for the bomb run, the 401st squadron took the low position - the most vulnerable to fighter attack.  Just as the crew of The Peacemaker steadied the ship to sight the target, the squadron was set upon by Focke-Wulf 190s. The formation leader was set on fire wingtip to wingtip, almost colliding with Peacemaker as the stricken aircraft slid into the void below. At that moment, cannon shells ripped into Peacemaker as a Fw190 flashed past within 200 feet, its guns blazing. Hit in the wing and tail, the bucking B-17 began to slip below the rest of the formation. She was a long way from home.

Robert Taylor's dramatic portrayal of events picks up the story as the injured bird limps towards the sanctuary of the English coast. That she has got this far is a miracle, due in no small part to the close attentions of escorting P-51B Mustangs of the 361st Fighter Group.  To keep her flying, the crew are jettisoning everything that can be safely bundled out of the aircraft. The front hatch is open and bombardier Marion Havelaar has reluctantly despatched his 20lb bomb sight to the ocean below - for him, an act of total sacrilege. The Peacemaker made it back to Bassingbourne that day; eight others did not.

Mission Beyond Darkness by Robert Taylor  After a three day sea search for Admiral Ozawa's carrier fleet it was 3.30pm on June 20, 1944, when a spotter plane reported the enemy position to Admiral Mitscher's Task Force 58. Mitscher knew the risks of despatching a large force on such a long-range mission so late in the day, but he also knew his task was to get the carriers. By 4.30pm over 200 fighters, dive-bombers, and torpedo strike planes were in the air and heading for the target.  In the short but intense battle that followed late in that day, the Japanese carrier Hiyo was sunk, four more Japanese carriers were damaged, two oilers sunk, the battleship Haruna hit, and some 40 enemy aircraft reported destroyed. Fierce, and seemingly successful though the encounter was, for most of the American aircrews the worst part of the mission was yet to come. As 209 aircraft turned and headed east into the growing dark, most of the pilots knew they had barely enough fuel to get back on board their carriers, some 270 miles distant. Many of the aircraft had received battle damage, and some of the crews were wounded.  It was 8pm and pitch dark as the first of the returning aircraft neared the carriers. Admiral Mitscher knew that without some form of guidance it was going to be all but impossible to recover his aircraft and, ignoring the submarine threat, boldly ordered the fleet to turn on lights. But the arriving Helldiver and Avenger pilots were all but out of fuel, and in the confusion of trying to pick out a carrier, find a landing slot, compounded by a number of deck crashes, some 70 planes went into the water that night. For Mitscher's aircrews, the long return to TF-58 went into history as the 'mission beyond darkness'

In recreating the awesome scene, Robert Taylor has painted a masterpiece of naval aviation warfare in the Pacific. In the foreground the SB2C Helldiver of Lieutenant Ralph Yaussi, its tanks dry, has ditched near the carrier USS Lex