Eagles on the Rampage by Robert Taylor

Formed in September 1942 from the RAF Eagle Squadrons, the Fourth Fighter Group was the oldest fighter unit in the Eighth Air Force, and one of the most distinguished; Under the command of Don Blakeslee, described as ‘probably the best fighter leader of the war’, the combined air and ground victories notched up by ‘The Eagles’ during World War II surpassed any other fighter group. They were the first to penetrate German air space, and the first to engage the Luftwaffe over Berlin. Hermann Goering later remarked ‘When I saw those Mustangs over Berlin, I knew that the war was lost’.

It is fitting therefore that Robert Taylor has chosen the Fourth Fighter Group for this classic new painting to represent all the pilots who flew P-51s with the USAAF. In this magnificent new Masterwork the world’s premier aviation artist portrays the group sweeping across the wide open skies, just itching for a crack at the enemy.

Following on from the great success of Roberts previous piece Horrido! which was a tribute to the Luftwaffe Aces of WWII - each print in this outstanding edition is signed by some of the most famous Mustang pilots that flew in the European Theatre during World War II. Every signatory in the edition has reached Ace status, creating a historic new collectors’ edition which may never be surpassed.

Signatures:

American Aces Editions: Hand-signed by TEN of the USAAF’s top Aces who together amassed almost ONE HUNDRED VICTORIES:

Colonel Clarence ‘Bud’ ANDERSON - 16¼ victories

Captain James BROOKS - 13 victories

Lieutenant Colonel Donald CUMMINGS - 6½ victories

Colonel Barrie S. DAVIS - 6 victories

Lieutenant Colonel Clyde B. EAST - 13 victories

Colonel Arthur ‘Art’ FIEDLER - 8 victories

Lieutenant Colonel Robert ‘Bob’ KARR - 6 victories

Lieutenant General George G. LOVING Jr - 5 victories

Colonel Steve PISANOS - 10 victories

Major General Donald STRAIT - 13½ victories

The Eagles Edition: Includes all of the above plus the six below. Each of the FIFTEEN Eagles Edition prints is issued with a unique ORIGINAL pencil drawing by Robert Taylor; each drawing is personally signed by two further P-51 Aces, including the legendary leader of the 4th Fighter Group Don Blakeslee, and is conservation matted to include the original pencil signatures of a further four Mustang Aces:

Captain Clinton DeWitt BURDICK - 5½ victories (signed original drawing)

Colonel Don BLAKESLEE - 14½ victories (signed original drawing)

Colonel Gerald BROWN - 5 victories (matted signature)

Colonel Ernest ‘Ernie’ BANKEY - 11½ victories (matted signature)

Colonel Herschel ‘Herky’ GREEN - 18 victories (matted signature)

Brigadier General Robin OLDS - 17 victories (matted signature)

The Eagles Edition Tribute Proof: Includes all of the above plus the nine below. With all the components of the Eagles Edition, the original drawing is more elaborate and something to treasure in its own right. The drawing is signed by an additional four Mustang Aces and conservation matted to include the signatures of an additional five legendary P-51 Aces. The TWENTY-FIVE signatories amassed almost 265 victories between them:

Major Bill ALLEN - 5 victories (signed original drawing)

Lt Colonel Lawrence POWELL - 5½ victories (signed original drawing)

Major Urban ‘Ben’ DREW - 6 victories (signed original drawing)

Brigadier General Frank GAILER - 5½ victories (signed original drawing)

Lt Colonel Donald ‘Don’ BRYAN - 13 1/3 victories (matted signature)

Major Leonard ‘Kit’ CARSON - 18½ victories (matted signature)

Major James GOODSON - 15 victories (matted signature)

Major Richard ‘Bud’ PETERSON - 15½ victories (matted signature)

Brigadier General Charles "Chuck" YEAGER - 11½ victories (matted signature)