P-51 Mustangs of the 332nd Fighter Group – the Tuskegee Airmen – engage Luftwaffe Me262s that are seeking to disrupt B-17s from the 483rd Bomb Group during a raid on the Daimler-Benz tank factory in Berlin. The operation, carried out by the 5th Bombardment Wing on 24 March 1945, involved a 1,600 mile round trip from bases in Italy, making it the longest bombing mission undertaken by the US Fifteenth Air Force during WWII.
The heroics of the American bomber crews were already legend but now, flying much of the trip over Germany without escort, the cost was heavy. As soon as their P-47 and P-38 escorts turned for home low on fuel, the Luftwaffe pounced. The American airmen were forced to endure a savage onslaught not only from enemy fighters, but some of the heaviest flak imaginable. Missions such as Schweinfurt, Regensburg and Ploesti have gone down in history as testament to their bravery.
Then, in early 1944 a new fighter emerged – the long-range P-51 Mustang – one of the finest piston-engine fighters ever made. The massed formations of Fortresses and Liberators now had protection anywhere over Germany, and especially the capital of the Reich – Berlin. And one of the foremost close escort units of the war was the 332nd Fighter Group – the famed Tuskegee Airmen. Made up of African American pilots, this renowned unit earned a formidable reputation for protecting their bombers and became one of the most highly respected fighter groups of WWII.
Adding great authenticity to this superb release, the prints are personally autographed by iconic veterans of both the US 15th and 8th Air Forces who fought for Allied victory in Europe during WWII. It is of great historical importance that this historic edition is also endorsed with the signatures of two iconic Tuskegee P-51 Pilots, allowing enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire an important collector’s piece.
Lieutenant Colonel HARRY STEWART Jr
Lieutenant Colonel ROBERT FRIEND
Staff Sergeant DOUGLAS WARD
Staff Sergeant RICHARD KAMINSKI
Please note: The prints in my store are hand-signed by the veterans involved in the painting so the signatures are original autographs and not reproductions.
The certificate of authenticity is included.
CONDITION: My items are guaranteed to be in perfect
condition, any issues are clearly detailed in the description.
SHIPPING: As a former aviation art retailer I have shipped countless prints over
the years. My prints are rolled in acid free tissue and shipped in heavy duty
tubes, and the shipping is insured and guaranteed.
If
you are interested in more than one item I will always do my best to combine
the shipping to save costs – please just ask.