RUNNING THE GAUNTLET - Original Pencil Drawing

From Robert Taylor’s own studio, Running the Gauntlet offers a fascinating glimpse into the development of one of his major aviation paintings, Eagles Out of the Sun.

Created during Robert’s research and compositional development for the painting, this original pencil study explores an alternative scene of B-17 Fortresses battling their way home through attacking Me109s.

Robert considered the dangers of the high-speed diving attacks used by Luftwaffe fighters, with opposing aircraft sometimes coming perilously close during an engagement. His notes accompanying the drawing in Vol.3 of his Air Combat Paintings book describe damaged bombers struggling back towards home, some barely maintaining altitude, their fighter escorts offering a measure of reassurance.

Ultimately, Robert set this composition aside in favour of the final concept for Eagles Out of the Sun, which placed greater emphasis on the attacking Luftwaffe fighters.

An original piece from Robert Taylor’s creative process, this unique drawing provides an unusually personal insight into how one of his best-known compositions evolved, preserved directly from the artist’s own studio.

✍️ Personally signed by three prolific Luftwaffe pilots, we've also included the original autographs of two highly-respected B-17 pilots within the framing! The full list reads: