Warbirds! ‘Nuff Said!
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ROT SECHS
Messerschmitt Me-262A-1a Schwalbe
Original Size: 22” x 14” Media: Pencil/Graphite
In an effort to defend against nighttime raids by RAF Mosquitos, Leutnant Kurt Welter was directed to form a new nightfighter unit using the Me-262 jet fighter. 10./NJG11 began operating from Burg bei Magdeburg in early 1945, and gained some early successes. In March 1945, a young pilot named Jorg Czypionka joined the unit that became known as Kommando Welter. An experienced “Wilde Sau” nightfighter pilot, Lt. Czypionka had never checked out in the Me-262.
After sitting in the cockpit of “Red Six” (Rot Sechs) for an hour learning where everything was, Jorg took off for his first flight. This drawing depicts Lt. Czypionka returning to Burg bei Magdeburg after his first flight in the “best looking airplane I ever saw!”
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HOCH FLUG
Messerschmit Bf-109G-10
Original Size: 13” x 19” Media: Pencil/Graphite
Hoch Flug. Translated from German – High Flight. Most pilots have heard the poem “High Flight” by John Gilespee Magee Jr. Pilot Officer Magee was a Spitfire Pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force who was killed at the age of 19 in a midair collision.
So what’s that got to do with a German WWII fighter? Just this. Great pilots who loved to fly wore the uniforms of all sides in World War II. This drawing is a tribute to all those who have “Habe ich meine Hand ausgestreckt und das Gesicht Gottes berührt.”
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LIGHTNING TRAVELS UP!
Lockheed P-38F Lightning
Original Size: 14” x 17” Media: Pencil/Graphite
Some of the earliest combat successes of the P-38 didn’t come from the Pacific Theater. Two Fighter Bomber Groups operating from North Africa got the first Lightnings into combat after a treacherous Atlantic crossing. The 1st and 27th FBG’s rather brutally introduced the Lightning to the “opposition.
During my time in the Air Force, I served with the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing, which traces its lineage to the 1st FBG. The decision to make my first illustration of a P-38 one assigned to the 1st FBG was logical to me. Lt. Jack Ilfrey, assigned to the 94th Fighter Squadron, flew this P-38, known both as “Texas Terror” and as “Happy Jack’s Go Buggy,” to several victorious engagements against German and Italian opponents.
This illustration captures both the design elements of the P-38 and the fantastic performance of this ground-breaking design.
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HARVARD 6
North American T-6G Texan
Original Size: 16” x 12” Media: Pencil/Graphite
The T-6 Texan hails back to Pre World War II days and was the first successful design by the fledgling North American Aircraft Company. Built by the thousands, virtually every American WWII Pilot (plus numerous pilots from the air arms of our allies), took their advanced flight training in the venerable Texan.
But the Texan wasn’t just a trainer. In the post WWII era, many small air forces equipped themselves with the Texan as both a trainer and as a fighter/light attack aircraft. The USAF even armed a number of it’s remaining T-6’s to operate as spotters and forward air controllers during the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Today, the T-6 enjoys great popularity among the many vintage aircraft and warbird organizations around the world. Heck, with any luck I might get to learn to fly in one! This beautiful T-6 is being flown by my friend John Selk, a member of the Commemorative Air Force. Part of the proceeds of the sale of this print will be donated to the maintenance fund for this aircraft. Thanks for helping to keep this piece of history flying!
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SHANTY’S BAT
Goodyear FG-1D Corsair
Original Size: 20” x 16” Media: Pencil/Graphite
Whistling Death.” “Bent Wing Baseball Bat,” “Hog.” These are a few of the nicknames given to the superb Corsair. By the end of the World War II, the Corsair had proven itself as a fighter second to none, and was being flown from Essex class fast carriers by Marine Fighter Squadrons.
This drawing shows my friend Capt. Jack Callahan, USMC, assigned to VMF-112 returning to the carrier USS Bennington (CV-20) after a fighter sweep during the spring of 1945. The name of this drawing was obvious to me, Shanty is Jack’s nickname, and he used this plane to swat three Tony’s out of the skies over the Pacific….
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AND DEATH WHISTLED
Goodyear FG-1D Corsair
Original Size: 16” x 20” Media: Pencil/Graphite
“Whistling Death,” was the name the Japanese gave the Corsair because of the banshee like wail created by the oil cooler inlets on the inboard wing leading edges. By late in the war, Navy and Marine pilots were absolutely dominating the Japanese with their Corsairs, leaving only a few top quality Japanese pilots with any chance of surviving.
This drawing depicts a Corsair of VBF-83 assigned to the carrier USS Essex (CV-9) downing a Japanese A6M5 Zero sometime during the spring of 1945….
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RIDGE RUNNER
North American P-51D Mustang
Original Size: 16” x 20” Media: Pencil/Graphite
The 4th Fighter Group began WWII as a group of American volunteers flying Spitfires with the British RAF. They became known as the “Eagle Squadron” and earned a phenomenal reputation among their English counterparts. After the US officially entered the war, the “Eagle Squadron” became the 4th Fighter Group and traded their beloved Spitfires for P-47 Thunderbolts. Although they achieved much success flying the Thunderbolt, many of the pilots mourned the loss of their Spitfires. The group received their first P-51’s in February of 1944 and soon after, they continued cutting a huge chunk out of the Luftwaffe.
This drawing depicts Maj. Pierce McKennon flying his P-51D “Ridge Runner III” on and escort mission deep into Germany. Maj. McKennon has just punched off his external fuel tanks and is performing a Split-S maneuver in order to attack a group of Luftwaffe fighters defending against a bombing raid….
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THE TIGER’S EYES
Curtiss P-40C Tomahawk
Original Size: 20” x 16” Media: Pencil/Graphite
When Pearl harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941, a group of Americans was already preparing for war with the Japanese… from China! The American Volunteer Group would become known around the world as the Flying Tigers, and would amass a truly amazing record combating the Japanese. Between December 20, 1941 and July 3, 1942, the Flying Tigers destroyed 297 Japanese planes for the loss of only 4 planes in aerial combat. That’s a kill ratio of almost 75:1!
On December 10, 1941, Lt. Erik Shilling flew the first mission against the Japanese in a P-40C that had been modified for reconnaissance. This drawing depicts Lt. Shilling returning from the mission to photograph Japanese airfields in occupied China. It’s safe to say that at this point, Lt. Shilling was haulin’….
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YEAGER’S GLAMOROUS 51
North American P-51D Mustang
Original Size: 23” x 15” Media: Pencil/Graphite
The North American P-51 was the first USAAF fighter capable of escorting American B-17’s and B-24’s to targets deep inside of Germany. The “D” model is considered by many to have been the definitive American fighter of WWII.
This scene depicts Capt. Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager in his P-51D, named Glamorous Glen III in honor of his sweetheart Glennis. This view shows Capt. Yeager cruising somewhere over occupied Europe – waiting to bounce any unfortunate Luftwaffe pilots who might show up. The twelve kills displayed below the windshield bear testament to the fact that German pilots would be wise to stay away….
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