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WARM WINTER'S WELCOMEby Nicolas Trudgian
P-51 Mustangs of the 357th Fighter Group race over a typical English village as they head for Leiston and home. As the evening light fades, the peace and tranquility of the snowy village, broken momentarily by the roar of Merlin engines, seems to offer the returning fighter boys a warm winter’s welcome.
As the Autumn of 1944 turned to winter, the USAAF Eighth Air Force bombers were penetrating ever deeper into enemy territory, attacking distant targets in central and south-east Germany. Large formations of seven or eight hundred bombers, escorted by as many fighters, darkened the skies over the Reich.
Central to the massive daylight raids was the long-range capabilities of the P-51 Mustang, the most versatile fighter of the war. Despite incessant pounding from the air, the Luftwaffe were putting up determined resistance, particularly in the south, often sending up several hundred fighters to meet the challenge. Huge aerial battles were fought between the opposing groups of fighters, and though the Allied pilots usually gained the upper hand in these encounters, the air fighting was prolonged and furious.
Successful as they were, the long-range escort missions flown by the P-51s were both hazardous and grueling. The weather, particularly in winter, was often appalling, and even an experienced pilot could become disorientated after hectic combat, and lost in the far reaches of the Reich. The return to base in England after combat over distant enemy territory was always exhilarating, and the pilots often hedgehopped gleefully over towns and villages on their way home after crossing the English coast.
THE SIGNATURES
This stunning print isindividually signed by the artist andfour highly distinguished P-51 Mustang pilots who flew in combat with the 357th Fighter Group during World War II.
ColonelC.E. BUD ANDERSON
First LieutenantRAYMOND T. CONLIN
First LieutenantJOHN SKARA
CaptainROBERT P. WINKS
Please note:The prints in my store are hand-signed by the veterans involved in thepainting so the signatures are original autographs and not reproductions.The certificate of authenticity is included.CONDITION:My items are guaranteed to be in perfectcondition, any issues are clearly detailed in the description.
SHIPPING:As a former aviation art retailer I have shipped countless prints overthe years. My prints are rolled in acid free tissue and shipped in heavy dutytubes, and the shipping isinsured andguaranteed.
Ifyou are interested in more than one item I will always do my best to combinethe shipping to save costs – please just ask.
