Title
Combat for Happy Jack [P-38] Ace Jack Ilfrey USAAF 79th Fighter Squadron 20th Fighter Group REMARQUE Artist Proof Signed by Keith Hill
The most important Collectors Limited Edition Art you can ever obtain in an order is:
This a 'Double' REMARQUE - Artist Proof Signed by Keith Hill who is a USAAF Official Artist for the USAAF Mighty Eighth!
This Combat for Happy Jack [P-38] Ace Jack Ilfrey USAAF 79th Fighter Squadron 20th Fighter Group is a pristine new condition Premium Quality Remarque Artist Proof Limited Edition Print and a 'historical document’ in its own right signed by the artist Keith Hill.
This is Premium Art and 'Original Remarques' by Keith Hill - makes your stunning limited edition print entirely unique and original Worldwide! [Please ensure you refer to Collectors Hint 1 and 2 below for helpful definitions of Remarques!]
The effort and quality put into researching and producing this art by Keith Hill is simply outstanding and magnificent in its photo-realistic detail.
This immaculate #35 / 75 Premium Quality Remarque Artist Proof Limited Edition Print has been professionally stored and protected. It is a wonderful and unique record of one of the greatest aces in the USAAF Mighty Eighth history. [The Limited Edition run was 750.]
The second depiction in a series of five, this art was chosen by the USAAF to depict major combat aircraft of World War II.
This is a very restricted opportunity in time and availability to acquire such a premium example of Combat for Happy Jack [P-38] Ace Jack Ilfrey USAAF 79th Fighter Squadron 20th Fighter Group Remarque Artist Proof Signed by Keith Hill.
Space and Aviation Firsts is an International Store having sold into more than 40 countries.
Shipping is included within Australia and Internationally as my gift to you.
Please order now so that you do not miss out on this outstanding historical opportunity!
This is a New Premium Artist Proof Print, limited to only 75 Worldwide and is unique because of the two beautiful Remarques. [See Collectors Hints 1 and 2 below for art definitions]
Description (Space and Aviation Firsts © 2017-2022).
Combat for Happy Jack [P-38] Ace Jack Ilfrey USAAF 79th Fighter Squadron 20th Fighter Group Remarque Artist Proof Signed by Keith Hill
Here are a few words about the History associated with this fine art:
"While he was flying a Bomber Escort Mission near to Berlin, two ME. 109s made a head-on pass at Jack Ilfrey, a squadron commander with the 20th Fighter Group.
The first ME.109 fell to Jack Ilfrey's guns and spiraled down in flames. As he banked hard to the right, the second 109 collided with the wing tip of 'Happy Jack's Go Buggy', and this ME.109 crashed out of control.
Badly damaged, the P38 went into a violent spin. Other members of his Group who witnessed the incident were certain this was the last they would see of 'Happy Jack'. However, long after the rest of the Group had arrived back at Kings Cliffe Northamptonshire, the damaged P-38 touched down at its home base".
There were only 75 of these stunningly beautiful Artist Proofs by Keith Hill created for the Worldwide market, the Limited Edition prints numbered 750 with the first 10% Artist Proofs. With the Double Remarque added this is an opportunity to make this pristine 'rare' print yours!
The ‘hallmark’ of a Fine Art Artist is in their ability to show moments and their realities in the harsh environment of Air Combat. This art is truly amazing as the artist puts you right into this moment as another participant. The art is stunning and 'stand-out impressive' in the way Keith Hill Artist illustrates his skill and ability to paint a 'critical and dangerous' moment in Air Combat as it occurred for USAAF Ace Jack Ilfrey.
This Combat for Happy Jack [P-38] Ace Jack Ilfrey USAAF 79th Fighter Squadron 20th Fighter Group Remarque Artist Proof Signed by Keith Hill captures all the vivid color and brilliance of the original Keith Hill work of art.
Keith Hill art sells! Please order now so that you do not miss out on this extremely restricted opportunity!
About Keith Hill.
Keith Hill was able to gain 'first hand' information from Jack Ilfrey about this combat. Keith Hill is an 'official artist' to the 8th Air Force Memorial Museum Foundation.
This is the second depiction in a series of five, depicting major combat aircraft of the 'Mighty Eighth', by Keith Hill.
This stunning Combat for Happy Jack [P-38] Ace Jack Ilfrey USAAF 79th Fighter Squadron 20th Fighter Group Remarque Artist Proof Signed by Keith Hill is an important signed historical art piece for any collection. If you are interested in significant World World II USAAF events and you would like some representative art of that history, this is an outstanding and unique opportunity for your collection.
Mission Profile (source Wikipedia)
Captain Jack M Ilfrey from Houston, Texas first arrived in the UK in 1942 with the 1st Fighter Group initially based at Goxhill and Kirton-in-Lindsey in Lincolnshire as part of Operation Bolero, the build-up of an American strategic air force in Britain.
With the 1st Fighter Group, Jack Ilfrey carried out fighter escort missions over France before moving to the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations to support the Allied invasion in North Africa as part of Operation Torch in November 1942. Jack Ilfrey became an ace in the Mediterranean, shooting down five enemy aircraft and evading internment in Portugal.
In 1943 he was sent back to the US to train fighter pilots, but soon returned to the UK in March 1944 as a commander of the 79th Fighter Squadron at Kings Cliffe in Northamptonshire. Flying with the 20th Fighter Group, Jack Ilfrey claimed two more enemy aircraft until, on June 13, 1944, after attacking the La Possonniere (Maine-et-Loire) railway bridge, he saw a locomotive at the Lion-d'Angers station. While attacking this objective, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft artillery. His engine caught fire and he parachuted. He landed heavily on a farm building, his parachute having opened too low. Jack Ilfrey was deep behind enemy lines. He eventually reached the front line and met British soldiers. On June 20, 1944, he was back in England.
Disguised as a deaf and mute French farmer Jack Ilfrey once again evaded capture, hiding in hedgerows and cycling 150 miles to Allied lines in Normandy with the assistance of French civilians. Jack Ilfrey returned to combat duty and during his two tours he completed an impressive 142 missions.
Overall Jack Ilfrey spent a total of 548 combat hours in the air and shot down eight enemy fighters, all in P-38s.
The 79th Fighter Squadron is one of the oldest in the United States Air Force, its origins dating to 22 February 1918, being organized at Rich Field, Waco Texas, as a pilot training Squadron during World War I. The squadron saw combat during World War II, and became part of the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) during the Cold War.
World War I - The 79th Fighter Squadron traces its history back to February 1918, when it was first organized as the 79th Aero Squadron.
Inter-war years - The unit inactivated from November 1918 until April 1933, when it became the 79th Pursuit Squadron, flying the Boeing P-12 at Barksdale Field, Louisiana From 1940 to 1942, the squadron trained combat pilots and flew the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk from bases on the east coast.
World War II - In 1943, the 79th converted to the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, flying out of Northamptonshire, England, performing duty as bomber escorts and conducting fighter sweeps over Germany. The 79th remained at English bases throughout the war, supporting both the Normandy invasion and the Allied drive into Germany. The squadron returned to the States and was inactivated on 19 October 1945 and then re-activated in the USA in 1946.
The 79th Fighter Squadron is now part of the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. It operates the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting air superiority missions and has an impressive range of History, Citations and Awards some of which include:
Photograph credits:
Photo 1 A full image of the Combat for Happy Jack [P-38] Ace Jack Ilfrey USAAF 79th Fighter Squadron 20th Fighter Group REMARQUE Artist Proof Signed by Keith Hill
Photo 2 A image of Capt. Jack Ilfrey USAAF 79th Fighter Squadron 20th Fighter Group in his Lockheed P-38 Lightning [courtesy americanairmusuem not included]
Photo 3 A 'zoomed in' panorama view of the art Combat for Happy Jack
Photo 4 A further 'zoomed in' view of Capt. Jack Ilfrey's Lockheed P-38 Lightning Happy Jack Go Buggy
Note"-the 'collision damage between the P-38 and the ME-109
Photo 5 A close image of the magnificent double REMARQUE in the lower panel of the art
Photo 6 A further close image of the magnificent double REMARQUE in the lower panel of the art and the signature of Keith Hill
Photo 7 Another full image of the Combat for Happy Jack [P-38] Ace Jack Ilfrey USAAF 79th Fighter Squadron 20th Fighter Group REMARQUE Artist Proof Signed by Keith Hill
Collectors Hints (Space and Aviation Firsts © 2017-2023).
Collectors Hint 1 - What are Artist Proofs?
This offering is an Artist Proof which is a special early subset of the regular limited edition limited to 10% of the original numbered limited edition print. They therefore usually sell for 20-50% more than the regular edition print.
The Artist Proofs are the first prints pulled off a fresh "stone", the plate which was drawn or etched by the artist to create the Limited Edition Prints.
A Collector will always collect the Artists Proof if one is available, because of the extra value they represent.
Remember this is a 'Double Remarque and Artist Proof' number 35 of the total Artist Proof limited availability of 75 Worldwide. [There were 750 limited edition prints.]
This Offering is from a terrific Artist and is truly a 'Lifetime World War II Aviation' opportunity to own a Worldwide unique Artist Proof depicting a historic moment in US 8th Air Force History.
Collectors Hint 2 - What are Remarques?
This is a 'Double Remarque' ! Featuring the P38 and separately an ME.109.
Notes:
This is serious and enjoyable premium quality Art Space and Aviation Collecting. If an offer is to be made, please understand the offer needs to be very seriously ‘close’!
Size
Combat for Happy Jack [P-38] Ace Jack Ilfrey USAAF 79th Fighter Squadron 20th Fighter Group REMARQUE Artist Proof Signed by Keith Hill has a:
A Paper Size of: 27 3/4" width x 20 1/4" height and,
An Image Size of: 23" width x 15 1/2" height
and is personally hand signed by Keith Hill
Upon purchase I will be pleased to provide written professional care, framing and best practices that I have utilised over 35 years collecting as an additional courtesy to you.
This is an important signed historical art piece for any collection. It is a wonderful and unique record of that exciting time in World, English and USAAF history.
Shipping
This new Remarque Artist Proof will be shipped to you directly from Australia.
This is a great buy and offering for International, UK, European and Asia Pacific Collectors.
Make this copy yours!
Conclusion
This Combat for Happy Jack [P-38] Ace Jack Ilfrey USAAF 79th Fighter Squadron 20th Fighter Group Remarque Artist Proof Signed by Keith Hill is a must have 'Life Piece' of USAAF aviation history as the second depiction selected in a series of five, chosen by the USAAF to depict their major combat aircraft of World War II.
Remember there were only 75 Artist Proofs in a Limited Edition run of 750 produced for the entire Worldwide market! This unique Remarque Artist Proof signed copy is irreplaceable.
Please remember to 'click' Visit Store in the top right corner of this listing to see the many other great offerings inside 'Space and Aviation Firsts'.
'A Passion in Life is a Life Well Lived!'
Kind Regards