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ERNIE BOYETTE
Ernie was born to poor parents on a sweet potato farm in Green Cove Springs, Florida. The family raised chickens, rabbits and agriculural foods. The last of seven children, his father died when he was two years old. Growing up, Ernie always helped his mother and encouraged her in her self-taught wildlife painting. When she passed away in 1985, she left him her art supplies and some blank canvasses.
Bored with a job he disliked, he decided to figure out how to paint one night in 1986. He pulled out his mom's "art stuff" and started. Never having an art lesson in life other than what he was taught in public school, Ernie did about ten paintings over the next several years. Trained in marketing, in June 1991, he decided to try art as a business. Convinced he had talent, he swore he would be making his living from his artwork, writing and photography.
Not knowing what he wanted to paint, he liked airplanes and military so he tried that. He started painting one airplane after another. In the spring of 1993, he received his first commission from an F-18 Squadron stationed at Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida. Commander John "Lites" Leenhouts employed him to do a black and white Limited Edition of their squadron aircraft.
In 1994 he started his series "Famous American Aviators". His first prints were his heroes, George Gay and Robert "Bob" Scott. Between January 1991 and December 2000 he painted no less than 150 paintings. From March 1993 to September 2000 he published 42 Limited Edition prints along with 36 poster prints. In the fall of 2002 he was commissioned by Cook Cleland's family to paint all three of the F2G Corsair racers that he flew in the late 1940's at the Ohio Air Races. Cook won the Thompson Trophy in 1947 and 1949. Ernie had worked with Cook in 1997 with a print of the SBD dive-bomber he flew in WWII.
In March of 2003 Ernie was officially knighted as a “Knight of Vision” for his efforts in telling the stories of Great britain's famous aviators. Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette now signs all his original paintings as Sir Hamilton.
His artwork is now marketed nationwide in aviation museum gift shops including the Smithsonian. In November of 2006 his artwork was selected by the new Pearl Harbor Museum, Hawaii, to be sold in their gift shop. Ernie's artwork has also appeared in the Aviation History magazine and his prints are marketed worldwide.
Ernie Boyette S/N Limited Edition Print "P-39 Fighter pilot, Lt. Donald McGee"
Limited Edition 12" by 18" Print Signed and numbered by the artist and co-signed by P-39 Fighter pilot and Ace, Donald McGee
Donald Charles McGee enlisted into the Army infantry on July 1, 1939 and later applied for the Air Corps Flying Cadet program. After being accepted, Donald began his flight training on April 30th 1941 in the Flying Cadet Program at Albany, Georgia and graduated on December 12, 1941 with his pilot’s wings and 2nd Lieutenants bars.
Donald was then assigned to the 49th Fighter Group. On January 6, 1942, Don and the 49th found themselves heading to California where they boarded the SS Mariposa heading for Australia.
After arriving in Melbourne Australia, the 9th was sent to the RAAF Station Willamtown, New South Wells where the group waited for their aircraft to arrive. It was here that some experienced P-40 pilots who had just arrived from the Philippines and Java joined the group.
After some brief training, Donald and others from the group were assigned to the 8th Group’s 36th Squadron at Lowood Station and began training in the P-39D. They were then ordered to Port Moresby, New Guinea.
On their first morning at Port Moresby, Donald participated in flying field cover patrol. His wingman was not able to take off so Donald flew with two other pilots. After two hours they turned toward their runway to be relieved by another flight. The first plane to land experienced fog and landed hard obstructing the runway for the others. Pulling up, Donald climbed, not wanting to be caught low should the enemy attack. At 3,500 feet, the airfield radioed him that they were under attack. With less than 20 gallons of gas, Donald banked around and saw a Zero attacking the airfield and pulled onto his tail. Donald fired on the Japanese fighter. The Zero winged over heading down. Donald saw the explosion of the Zero over his shoulder. Suddenly tennis ball size tracers flashed by his cockpit. Donald looked around to see three Zero’s on his tail. The training he received saved him as he skirted back and forth avoiding the deadly fire form the enemy. Finally one by one the Zero’s turned away. Donald headed back to base and landed. As Donald taxied in he ran out of gas. He held up his thumb signaling his kill to the others.
Twice 20mm shells had hit his rudder, five 7.7mm holes were in the right wing root and one bullet entered the top of his canopy and had shot his goggles off his head! Donald McGee had claimed the first victory for the 36th Fighter Squadron. Donald claimed two more confirmed enemy planes flying the P-39, and two more victories flying the P-38.
Donald was later assigned to the European Theatre where he claimed his last victory over a Bf-109 flying a P-51. With six victories to his credit, Donald earned the Silver Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, The Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the French Croix de Guerre with one Silver Star.
All artwork is subject to availability at time of order. Although seller strives to remain current as to inventory, seller reserves the right to cancel a sale if item is no longer available at time of purchase.For shipping outside the USA, including Alaska and Hawaii, buyer will pay actual shipping costs. Please e-mail with request and location and we will respond with required cost. All payments must be made in US dollars and if paying through Paypal, currency conversion will apply.
ERNIE BOYETTE
Ernie was born to poor parents on a sweet potato farm in Green Cove Springs, Florida. The family raised chickens, rabbits and agriculural foods. The last of seven children, his father died when he was two years old. Growing up, Ernie always helped his mother and encouraged her in her self-taught wildlife painting. When she passed away in 1985, she left him her art supplies and some blank canvasses.
Bored with a job he disliked, he decided to figure out how to paint one night in 1986. He pulled out his mom's "art stuff" and started. Never having an art lesson in life other than what he was taught in public school, Ernie did about ten paintings over the next several years. Trained in marketing, in June 1991, he decided to try art as a business. Convinced he had talent, he swore he would be making his living from his artwork, writing and photography.
Not knowing what he wanted to paint, he liked airplanes and military so he tried that. He started painting one airplane after another. In the spring of 1993, he received his first commission from an F-18 Squadron stationed at Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida. Commander John "Lites" Leenhouts employed him to do a black and white Limited Edition of their squadron aircraft.
In 1994 he started his series "Famous American Aviators". His first prints were his heroes, George Gay and Robert "Bob" Scott. Between January 1991 and December 2000 he painted no less than 150 paintings. From March 1993 to September 2000 he published 42 Limited Edition prints along with 36 poster prints. In the fall of 2002 he was commissioned by Cook Cleland's family to paint all three of the F2G Corsair racers that he flew in the late 1940's at the Ohio Air Races. Cook won the Thompson Trophy in 1947 and 1949. Ernie had worked with Cook in 1997 with a print of the SBD dive-bomber he flew in WWII.
In March of 2003 Ernie was officially knighted as a “Knight of Vision” for his efforts in telling the stories of Great britain's famous aviators. Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette now signs all his original paintings as Sir Hamilton.
His artwork is now marketed nationwide in aviation museum gift shops including the Smithsonian. In November of 2006 his artwork was selected by the new Pearl Harbor Museum, Hawaii, to be sold in their gift shop. Ernie's artwork has also appeared in the Aviation History magazine and his prints are marketed worldwide.
Ernie Boyette S/N Limited Edition Print "P-39 Fighter pilot, Lt. Donald McGee"
Limited Edition 12" by 18" Print Signed and numbered by the artist and co-signed by P-39 Fighter pilot and Ace, Donald McGee
Donald Charles McGee enlisted into the Army infantry on July 1, 1939 and later applied for the Air Corps Flying Cadet program. After being accepted, Donald began his flight training on April 30th 1941 in the Flying Cadet Program at Albany, Georgia and graduated on December 12, 1941 with his pilot’s wings and 2nd Lieutenants bars.
Donald was then assigned to the 49th Fighter Group. On January 6, 1942, Don and the 49th found themselves heading to California where they boarded the SS Mariposa heading for Australia.
After arriving in Melbourne Australia, the 9th was sent to the RAAF Station Willamtown, New South Wells where the group waited for their aircraft to arrive. It was here that some experienced P-40 pilots who had just arrived from the Philippines and Java joined the group.
After some brief training, Donald and others from the group were assigned to the 8th Group’s 36th Squadron at Lowood Station and began training in the P-39D. They were then ordered to Port Moresby, New Guinea.
On their first morning at Port Moresby, Donald participated in flying field cover patrol. His wingman was not able to take off so Donald flew with two other pilots. After two hours they turned toward their runway to be relieved by another flight. The first plane to land experienced fog and landed hard obstructing the runway for the others. Pulling up, Donald climbed, not wanting to be caught low should the enemy attack. At 3,500 feet, the airfield radioed him that they were under attack. With less than 20 gallons of gas, Donald banked around and saw a Zero attacking the airfield and pulled onto his tail. Donald fired on the Japanese fighter. The Zero winged over heading down. Donald saw the explosion of the Zero over his shoulder. Suddenly tennis ball size tracers flashed by his cockpit. Donald looked around to see three Zero’s on his tail. The training he received saved him as he skirted back and forth avoiding the deadly fire form the enemy. Finally one by one the Zero’s turned away. Donald headed back to base and landed. As Donald taxied in he ran out of gas. He held up his thumb signaling his kill to the others.
Twice 20mm shells had hit his rudder, five 7.7mm holes were in the right wing root and one bullet entered the top of his canopy and had shot his goggles off his head! Donald McGee had claimed the first victory for the 36th Fighter Squadron. Donald claimed two more confirmed enemy planes flying the P-39, and two more victories flying the P-38.
Donald was later assigned to the European Theatre where he claimed his last victory over a Bf-109 flying a P-51. With six victories to his credit, Donald earned the Silver Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, The Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the French Croix de Guerre with one Silver Star.
All artwork is subject to availability at time of order. Although seller strives to remain current as to inventory, seller reserves the right to cancel a sale if item is no longer available at time of purchase.