From the studio of world renowned artist John D. Shaw, a stunning tribute to the legendary Tuskegee Airmen.
SAFE PASSAGE HOME
by John D ShawFlying his P-51C “Kitten,” Lt Charles McGee and Mustangs of the 332nd Fighter Group escort B-24s of the 459th Bomb Group as they begin the journey back to their base in Italy after a daylight bombing mission, summer 1944. Known as the “Red Tails,” these all-black pilots gained a reputation for their unequaled record of safely protecting their bombers, often being specifically requested for this duty by the bomber crews themselves.
In 1941, at the height of racial segregation inthe US, a group of young, predominantly African - American men would be trainedas Fighter Pilots at the Tuskegee Army Flying School in Alabama.Knowing that their example would set the stagefor future generations, the Tuskegee Airmen held themselves to the highest ofstandards. With unyielding self determination they were forged into anelite unit of fighter pilots and their contribution eventually paved the wayfor racial integration in the military services.
The young pilots ofwhat was to become famously known as the Tuskegee Airmen first went into actionin Italy in May 1943. Contending with prejudicefrom certain quarters within the air force and much of the press, they wereequipped with second-hand P-40 Warhawks and later P-47 Thunderbolts however in July 1944, they formed the 332nd Fighter Group at Ramitelli Airfield. Now equippedwith P-51 Mustangs with bright red spinners and tails, they became lastinglyknown as the“Red Tails”
Under the strict leadership of Colonel BenjaminO. Davis, who insisted his men stay close to the bombers they were escorting,rather than pursuing enemy fighters, their dedicated task was to protect thebomber forces……and they excelled! Flying until the end of hostilities overSouthern Europe and eventually as far as Berlin, their record for protectingtheir bombers was second to none, and that iron discipline would earn the‘Tuskegee Airmen’ the respect of hundreds of bomber crews.
One of the many units regularly escorted by theRed Tails was the 459th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force. The Group began flyingmissions out of Giulia Airfield in Italy from March 1944 over most of Europe,including France, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Germany and Greece. Flying almost 200 combatmissions, the 459th successfully attacked numerous targets including oilrefineries, railroads, heavy industry, communication lines and bridges. Theunit was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation for its daring raid againstairfields in Bad Voslau on April 23rd, 1944, hitting the target despite abarrage of flak and enemy fighters.
Thispowerful piece by one of the world’s most accomplished and widely collectedAviation Artists, John Shaw, is released as a lasting tribute to the TuskegeeAirmen and the brave bomber crews who endured those grueling missions in theskies over occupied Europe during WWII.
THE SIGNATURES
The print is individually numbered and personally signed by the artist along with two highly distinguished veterans who were involved in the scene depicted in John Shaw’s painting:
Brigadier GeneralCHARLES McGEE(P-51 Mustang‘Kitten’)
He joined the 332nd Fighter Group in Italy in December 1943 and flew his Mustang‘Kitten’on missions in North Africa, Italy and Germany, scoring his first victory whilst escorting bombers on the Ploesti raid of 24 August, and finishing the war with three in total. After the war he flew in combat in Korea and Vietnam. Serving in the Air Force for 30 years, he holds the record of flying more combat missions than any other USAF pilot in history and is the only known fighter pilot to fly 100 or more combat missions in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. His many awards for service and valor include the Legion of Merit, DFC with two clusters, Bronze Star and Légion d’Honneur. In 2011, he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.Staff SergeantCORLISS NORTON(B-24‘Cherokee Maiden’)
In June 1942 he joined the 756th Squadron, 459th Bomb Group, as the tail gunner on B-24’s, flying from Creganola, Italy. On his 3rd mission whilst attacking the Ploesti Oil Fields, his aircraft was hit by flak and forced to ditch in the Adriatic Sea. Four of the nine crew were lost and Corliss was the only survivor from the rear of the bomber. Rescued by a PBY, he and the surviving crew members returned to combat missions. Now flying on the B-24 ‘Cherokee Maiden’ he completed 39 combat missions participating in some of the most dangerous operations of WWII, including missions to Ploesti plus multiple trips to Budapest, Vienna, and Blechhammer. His many citations include the Purple Heart and Air Medal with 3 oak clusters.
This powerful piece is oneof only 250 copies that were produced worldwide and is proving to be extremely popular so this is a great opportunity to acquire a historic collectors item while it's still available.
ALSO AVAILABLE FRAMED & SHIPPED:Please ask for details about ourframing service
We will always do our best to combine shipping onmultiple purchases whenever possible – please ask.
BUY WITH CONFIDENCE:We have been in business for over 20 years and our items are guaranteed to bein perfect condition, unless specified otherwise.
Please note: The signatures onour pieces are not reproductions; they are original autographs, hand-signed bythe veterans involved.
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