MUSTANGS ON THE PROWL

by Robert Taylor

Editions Edition Size US($) QTY
The aces edition 500 Limited Availability Contact Us
The mighty eighth edition 250 Limited Availability Contact Us
Artist proofs 25 Limited Availability Contact Us
The generals proofs 50 Limited Availability Contact Us
Remarques edition 25 Limited Availability Contact Us
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Between 3 and 13 September 1944, the 55th Fighter Group flew eight arduous, highly successful, bomber escort missions to Germany for which the group received a Distinguished Unit Citation. Like those the group had flown before, and would fly again and again until the end of hostilities, each mission took them deep into enemy airspace, involved desperate combat with Luftwaffe fighters, and culminated in rapid descent to low level to strafe enemy airfields on the way home. In that ten day period of intense fighting the 55th covered themselves in glory, destroying large numbers of enemy fighters in the air and on the ground, one of their pilots becoming the top-scoring ground attack pilot of the campaign.

Long-range combat missions were typical of the assignments flown by the fighters of the 8th Air Force during that period of the air war. Not content with dog-fighting at altitude, when escort duty was complete, the Eighth's aggressive fighter pilots relished the opportunity to hurtle down to tree-top height and, ignoring the inevitable barrage of anti-aircraft fire, shoot up any target of opportunity upon which they could bring their guns to bear.

Robert Taylor's spectacular limited edition print, the third in his acclaimed Collector Portfolio commemorating the great Air Commands of World War II, depicts the king of the Eighth's ground attack Aces, Colonel Elwyn Righetti. Flying his P-51D Mustang, the 55th's CO of 338 Squadron, already with 20 plus victories to his credit, leads his pilots through the Rhine Gorge, skimming the ancient Castle of Stableck standing above Bacharach, as they seek out enemy targets on their way back to base at Wormingford, England, in the spring of 1945. A classic Robert Taylor edition endorsed with the signatures of Aces who flew and fought the legendary P-51 Mustang in the greatest air war in history.

The Aces Edition

Every print in the 'Aces Edition' is signed by THREE P-51 Aces who flew with the 55th Fighter Group in Europe during World War II, together with the artist Robert Taylor.

  • Major Bill Allen
  • Colonel Gerald Brown
  • Colonel Donald Cummings

The Mighty Eighth Edition

The Mighty Eighth Edition has all three signatures of the Aces Edition, but is released with the additional signatures of FOUR top Aces who flew with the Mighty Eighth in Europe; two of whom have signed the exclusive matching numbered colour companion print 'Thunderbolt'. A total of SEVEN signatures in this edition.

  • Colonel Steve Pisanos
  • Colonel Walker 'Bud' Mahurin
  • Colonel James Goodson
  • Colonel Francis 'Gabby' Gabreski

The General's Proof

In addition to everything in the Mighty Eighth Edition, each General Proof Edition print is also issued with a matching numbered and signed pencil drawing print, DOOLITTLE OVER THE BEACHES, which is matted to include the original pencil signature of:

  • General James H 'Jimmy' Doolittle MOH
Media:
Lithograph
Size:
36 x 24 inches
Release Date:
2003

Editions that feature original and unique artwork, such as Remarque, Tribute and matted editions, are specifically hand-crafted to order. As a result, our normal delivery policies do not apply to these items but we’ll be sure to update you as soon as your drawing is complete. If you have any particular request for your remarque drawing – such as specific aircraft markings – please ask when placing your order and we will do our best to accommodate.

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