Direct Art UK Home Page
Order Enquiries (UK) : 01436 820269

You currently have no items in your basket


Buy with confidence and security!
Publishing military art since 1985

Don't Miss Any Special Deals - Sign Up To Our Newsletter!
MILITARY
ART
AVIATION
ART
NAVAL
ART

Product Search         

Aircraft
Index
Squadron
Index
Aviation Art
by Country
Aviation
Signatures Index
Aviation
Artists Index
ALWAYS GREAT OFFERS :
20% FURTHER PRICE REDUCTIONS ON HUNDREDS OF LIMITED EDITION ART PRINTS
BUY ONE GET ONE HALF PRICE ON THOUSANDS OF PAINTINGS AND PRINTS
FOR MORE OFFERS SIGN UP TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Lightning - Aircraft Profile - Lockheed : Lightning

Lightning

Manufacturer : Lockheed
Number Built :
Production Began :
Retired :
Type :

Designed by Kelly Johnson the P38 made its maiden flight on the 27th January 1939 and introduced into service in 1941. they cost $134,284 at the time each and a total of 10,037 were built. The Lockheed P-38 was introduced as a inceptor fighter but soon proved a valuable long range bomber escort for the 8thUS Air Force's B-17 and-24 bombers as they bombed targets further into Germany.

Lightning


Latest Lightning Artwork Releases !
 Born in 1919, Joe Forster enlisted in the Army in 1940 and was commissioned as a pilot in 1943, flying the P-38 Lightning with 432nd Fighter Squadron. On 3rd April 1944, he was credited with his first 3 confirmed victories, eventually finishing the war with 9 confirmed victories, three probables and one damaged.  He is shown here in his P-38 Lightning <i>Florida Cracker</i> of the 432nd Fighter Sqn.

Tribute to P-38 Lightning Ace Captain Joe Forster by Ivan Berryman.
 It was during the inter-war period that a reawakening interest in twin engined fighter design prompted several countries to investigate a number of revolutionary concepts, of these only Lockheed's sleek and unconventional P.38 was to be put into large scale production, proving to be a versatile and dominant fighter possessed of extremely long range, good speed and manoeuverability and a formidable armament. When production ceased in 1945, 9,923 examples of the P38 Lightning had been delivered.

Fork Tailed Devil (Lightning) by Ivan Berryman. (PC)
 The highest scoring US pilot of the Second World War, Richard Bong, is depicted in his personal P.38J <i>Marge</i>, claiming just one of his 40 confirmed victories. Insisting that he was not the greatest of marksmen, it was Bongs habit to manoeuvre to impossibly close distances before opening fire on his opponents. His eventual total may well have been greater than 40, as a further 8 probables could be attributed to him, together with 7 damaged. He was killed whilst testing a P.80 jet for the USAF in August 1945.

Richard Bong by Ivan Berryman. (PC)
 With 12 victories to his credit, William Sloan was the highest scoring pilot of the 96th FS/82nd FG and is shown here in his P.38 Snooks IV ½, a reference to the fact that this aircraft was made up of so many cannibalised parts from other P.38s.

Lt William J Dixie Sloan by Ivan Berryman. (PC)

Lightning Artwork Collection



Lightning Strike by Robert Taylor.

Mission Accomplished by Roy Grinnell.


Fork Tailed Devil (Lightning) by Ivan Berryman.


Lt William J Dixie Sloan by Ivan Berryman.


Clipped Signature - Hub Zemke.


Clipped Signature - Robin Olds.


Clipped Signature - Frank D Hurlbut.


Clipped Signature - William D Mitchell.


Clipped Signature - Jack Ilfrey.


Clipped Signature - Perry J Dahl.


Clipped Signature - Joseph Forster.


Clipped Signature - Thomas Oxford.


Clipped Signature - Arthur Jeffrey.


Clipped Signature - Travis Hoover.


Tactical Support by Richard Taylor.


Richard Bong by Ivan Berryman.


Lightning Encounter by Nicolas Trudgian.


Bogeys Eleven O Clock High by Robert Taylor


Hostile Sky by Robert Taylor


Coming In Over the Estuary by Robert Taylor.


Wide Horizons by Robert Taylor.


Winter of 44 by Philip West.


Pacific Glory by Nicolas Trudgian.


Thunderbolts and Lightnings by Nicolas Trudgian.


P-38 Lightning by Nicolas Trudgian.


Dawn Chorus by Nicolas Trudgian. (B)


Tribute to P-38 Lightning Ace Captain Joe Forster by Ivan Berryman.

Lockheed P-38 Lightning by Michael OLeary.


Messerschmitt Country by Nicolas Trudgian

P-38 Lightning Aces of the Pacific and CBI.

P-38 Lightning Aces of the ETO/MTO.


Doolittles D-Day, 6th June 1944 by Robert Taylor.


A Pair of Aces by Stan Stokes.


Moonlighting by Stan Stokes.

Lightning by Stan Stokes.


Yamamoto's Last Flight by Stan Stokes.


Lightning Strikes 7 Times by Stan Stokes.

Top Aces for : Lightning
A list of all Aces from our database who are known to have flown this aircraft. A profile page is available by clicking the pilots name.
NameVictoriesInfo
Richard I Bong40.00
Thomas B McGuire Jr38.00
Charles H MacDonald27.00
Gerald R Johnson22.00
Jay T Robbins22.00
Robert B Westbrook20.00
Thomas J Lynch20.00
Hubert Zemke17.75The signature of Hubert Zemke features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
Bill Harris16.00The signature of Bill Harris features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
George S Welch16.00
Cyril F Homer15.00
Edward Cragg15.00
Arthur F Jeffrey14.00The signature of Arthur F Jeffrey features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
Daniel T Roberts Jr14.00
Robin Olds13.00The signature of Robin Olds features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
Cotesworth B Head Jr12.00
James Albert Watkins12.00
Kenneth G Ladd12.00
Richard L West12.00
William J Sloan12.00The signature of William J Sloan features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
Cornelius M Smith Jr11.00
Francis J Lent11.00
John Simon Loisel11.00The signature of John Simon Loisel features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
Kenneth C Sparks11.00
Murray Shubin Jr11.00
Elliott Summer10.00
Paul M Stanch10.00
Robert Wayne Aschenbrener10.00
William K Giroux10.00
Allen E Hill9.00
Frank D Hurlbut9.00The signature of Frank D Hurlbut features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
Fredric F Champlin9.00
Joel B Paris III9.00
Joseph M Forster9.00
Meryl M Smith9.00
Perry J Dahl9.00The signature of Perry J Dahl features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
Fernley H Damstrom8.00
Frederick A Harris8.00
Jack M Ilfrey8.00The signature of Jack M Ilfrey features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
John G ONeill8.00
John L Jones8.00
Kenneth F Hart8.00
Maxwell H Glenn8.00
Thomas Edward Maloney8.00The signature of Thomas Edward Maloney features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
Walter F Duke8.00
Burnell W Adams7.00
Calvin C Wire7.00
Jack A Fisk7.00
John E Purdy7.00
John S Dunaway7.00
Richard E Smith7.00
Verl E Jett7.00
Vincent T Elliott7.00
Warren R Lewis7.00
Zach W Dean7.00
Arthur E Wenige6.00
Billy M Gresham6.00
Charles S Gallup6.00
Edward J Czarnecki6.00
Edwin L Degraffenreid6.00
Hampton E Boggs6.00
Henry H Meigs6.00
Hoyt Arnold Eason6.00
James C Ince6.00
John C Smith6.00
John H Lane6.00
John Pietz Jr6.00
Joseph T McKeon6.00
Laurence E Blumer6.00The signature of Laurence E Blumer features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
Lee O Gregg6.00
Paul C Murphey Jr6.00
Paul W Lucas6.00
Ralph H Wandrey6.00
Stanley O Andrews6.00
Thomas H Walker6.00
Wallace R Jordan6.00
William C Moseley6.00
William B King5.50The signature of William B King features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
Burdette Goodrich5.50
Aaron L Bearden5.00
Besby F Holmes5.00The signature of Besby F Holmes features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
Charles P Sullivan5.00
Charles W King5.00
Cheatham W Gupton5.00
Curran L Jones5.00
Darrell G Welch5.00The signature of Darrell G Welch features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
Ernest J Ambort5.00
Franklin H Monk5.00
Frederick E Dick5.00
George T Chandler5.00
Gerald A Brown5.00The signature of Gerald A Brown features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
Grover D Gholson5.00
Harry Winston Brown5.00
Henry L Ii Condon5.00
Jack C Mankin5.00
Jennings L Meyers5.00
John A Tilley5.00
Keith Mahon5.00
Kenneth R Pool5.00
Lowell C Lutton5.00
Marion C Felts5.00
Marion F Kirby5.00
Milden E Mathre5.00
Nelson D Flack Jr5.00
Nial K Castle5.00
Paul V Morriss5.00
Rex T Barber5.00The signature of Rex T Barber features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
Richard Charles Suehr5.00
Robert C Milliken5.00The signature of Robert C Milliken features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
Robert H Adams5.00
Thomas G Lanphier5.00
Truman Sheldon Barnes5.00
Vivian A Cloud5.00
Warren D Curton5.00
Willard J Webb5.00
William H Allen5.00The signature of William H Allen features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
Charles Ray5.00
Robert Schultz5.00
Harry Sealey4.50
Squadrons for : Lightning
A list of all squadrons from known to have used this aircraft. A profile page is available by clicking the squadron name.
SquadronInfo

14th Fighter Group


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 14th Fighter Group
14th Fighter Group

Full profile not yet available.

1st Fighter Group


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 1st Fighter Group
1st Fighter Group

Full profile not yet available.

20th Fighter Group


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 20th Fighter Group
20th Fighter Group

Full profile not yet available.

27th Fighter Squadron


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 27th Fighter Squadron
27th Fighter Squadron

Full profile not yet available.

27th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 27th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron
27th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron

Full profile not yet available.

30th Photo Reconnissance Squadron


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 30th Photo Reconnissance Squadron
30th Photo Reconnissance Squadron

Full profile not yet available.

332nd Fighter Group


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 332nd Fighter Group
332nd Fighter Group

Full profile not yet available.

343rd Fighter Squadron


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 343rd Fighter Squadron
343rd Fighter Squadron

Full profile not yet available.

355th Fighter Squadron


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 355th Fighter Squadron
355th Fighter Squadron

Full profile not yet available.

367th Fighter Group


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 367th Fighter Group
367th Fighter Group

Full profile not yet available.

38th Fighter Squadron


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 38th Fighter Squadron
38th Fighter Squadron

Full profile not yet available.

393rd Fighter Squadron


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 393rd Fighter Squadron
393rd Fighter Squadron

Full profile not yet available.

429th Fighter Squadron


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 429th Fighter Squadron
429th Fighter Squadron

Full profile not yet available.

431st Fighter Squadron


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 431st Fighter Squadron
431st Fighter Squadron

Full profile not yet available.

434th Fighter Squadron


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 434th Fighter Squadron
434th Fighter Squadron

Conducted air defense prior to flying duties overseas. Between 26th May 1944 and 25th Apr 1945 flew combat missons over the European Theater of Operations. Received Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for performance in aerial conflicts against the enemy on 18th August, 5th and 26th September 1944. Trained as fighter-day, and later, tactical fighter squadron, 1952-1962. In 1966, was reinstated as a squadron and began training F-4 crews for assignment in Southeast Asia. In Aug 1972, deployed to Thailand, where it served under operational control of 49 Tactical Fighter Wing. Engaged in combat over North and South Vietnam in October 1972. Redeployed back the USA. By 1975, provided combat aircrew training for US and Allied pilots. From 1977-1991, trained pilots. The squadron flew P-38 Lightning 1943 - 1944, P-51 Mustang from 1944 to 1945, P-47 Thunderbolt in 1945, F-51 Mustang from 1952 - 1953, F-86 Sabre from 1953 - 1955, F-100 Super Sabre from 1954 - 1959, F-104 Starfighter from 1959 - 1962, F-4 Phantom from 1966 - 1976 and T-38 Talon from 1977 - 1991.

474th Fighter Group


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 474th Fighter Group
474th Fighter Group

Full profile not yet available.

475th Fighter Group


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 475th Fighter Group
475th Fighter Group

Full profile not yet available.

479th Fighter Group


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 479th Fighter Group
479th Fighter Group

Full profile not yet available.

49th Fighter Group


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 49th Fighter Group
49th Fighter Group

The 49th Fighter Group (FG), still an active combat unit today, first gained a reputation in World War II as a group that claimed many firsts, broke many records and gained much recognition as one of the key elements to many of the pivotal engagements of the war in the Pacific. Flying P-40 Warhawks, P-38 Lightnings and, briefly, P-47 Thunderbolts, the 49th FG entered the war in 1942 from the northern coast of Australia, and then began a steady and inexorable march north, that ended with the 49th FG based on the home islands of Japan itself. The missions flown by pilots of the 49th FG over the course of four years in the Pacific Theatre of Operations included interceptions, bomber escorts, transport escorts, strafing runs, dive-bombing, pursuits, fighter sweeps, long-range hunting and scouting for enemy incursions. Today the group, re-designated as the 49th Fighter Wing, is based at Holloman AFB flying F-22 Raptors. Among the decorations the group received are the Distinguished Unit Citation with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and two Philippines Republic Presidential Unit Citations.

49th Fighter Squadron


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 49th Fighter Squadron
49th Fighter Squadron

Full profile not yet available.

55th Fighter Group


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 55th Fighter Group
55th Fighter Group

Full profile not yet available.

77th Fighter Squadron


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 77th Fighter Squadron
77th Fighter Squadron

Full profile not yet available.

79th Fighter Squadron


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 79th Fighter Squadron
79th Fighter Squadron

Full profile not yet available.

7th Photographic Group


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 7th Photographic Group
7th Photographic Group

Full profile not yet available.

82nd Fighter Group


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 82nd Fighter Group
82nd Fighter Group

Full profile not yet available.

94th Fighter Group


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 94th Fighter Group
94th Fighter Group

Full profile not yet available.

96th Fighter Squadron


Country : US
The 96th Fighter Squadron, during World War Two flew combat missions in the both the European and Mediterranean Theatres of Operation from 25th of December 1942 to 6th May 1945. After World War Two the 96th Fighter Squadron flew fighter escort and a

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 96th Fighter Squadron
96th Fighter Squadron

Full profile not yet available.

97th Fighter Squadron


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 97th Fighter Squadron
97th Fighter Squadron

Full profile not yet available.

9th Fighter Squadron


Country : US

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of 9th Fighter Squadron
9th Fighter Squadron

Full profile not yet available.
Signatures for : Lightning
A list of all signatures from our database who are associated with this aircraft. A profile page is available by clicking their name.
NameInfo

Major Bill Allen
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by Major Bill Allen
22 / 9 / 2000Ace : 5.00 Victories
Major Bill Allen

Commissioned in November 1943, Bill Allen was posted to England, joining the 55th Fighter Group based at Wormingford, on May 15th 1944. Posted into the 343rd Fighter Squadron the following day, Bill flew his first combat mission on 14th June 1944. He flew both P38 Lightnings and P51 Mustangs through his tour, becoming an Ace in one day on 5th September 1944, when he shot down 5 German aircraft whilst flying his P51 'Pretty Patty II'.




Lt Colonel Roger J Ames
Click the name above to see prints signed by Lt Colonel Roger J Ames
Lt Colonel Roger J Ames

Roger Ames joined the USAAF for pilot training on 24th April 1941 and was assigned to the 12th Fighter Squadron. He first saw combat in December of the following year, and logged a total of 67 hours of combat flying in P39s and P38s. Selected for the Yamamoto mission, he flew in Mitchells top cover group, sweeping the sky above Bougainville at 18000 feet. He served in the South Pacific, Solomons, and Canal Zone during WWII.




Colonel Robert Baldwin
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by Colonel Robert Baldwin

7 / 4 / 1994Died : 7 / 4 / 1994
Colonel Robert Baldwin

Robert Baldwin was born on October 19, 1917, in Los Angeles, California. He entered the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Corps on September 28th, 1939, and was commissioned a 2d Lt and awarded his pilot wings at Kelly Field, Texas, on June 22, 1940. Bob Baldwin took part in 75 combat missions in World War II flying P-38s and P-40s in Europe between 1943-45. After the second World War Col Robert Baldwin in 1948 served as a military observer in Palestine, and then served as Assistant Deputy for Maintenance and Chief of Flight Operations with Headquarters Oklahoma City Air Material Area at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, from December 1948 to July 1949. He attended Air Command & Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, from July to December 1949, and then served as Commander of the 56th Maintenance and Support Group at Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan, from December 1949 to March 1950. Col Baldwin was Deputy for Operations of the 56th Fighter-Interceptor Wing at Selfridge from March 1950 to June 1951, and then served on the staff of Headquarters Air Defense Command at Ent AFB, Colorado, from June 1951 to February 1953. Robert Baldwin joined the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing in Korea and was promoted to Commander after 3 missions. He flew a total of 85 combat missions, and has 800 hours on the F-86 achieving 5 arial victories plus 3 damaged in the Korean conflict. He was Base Commander of Kisarazu AB, Japan, from September 1953 to June 1955, followed by service as Commander of the 4750th Air Defense Group at Vincent AFB, Arizona, from June 1955 to November 1958. Col Baldwin next served with Headquarters U.S. Air Force in the Pentagon from November 1958 to June 1962, and then served on the staff of Headquarters Allied Air Forces Southern Europe from June 1962 to July 1965. His final assignment was as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans with Headquarters Air Training Command at Randolph AFB, Texas, from July 1965 He flew many other jet fighters of the era and retired from the Service in June 1966. Robert Baldwin passed away on April 7th, 1994.


Citation for the Silver Star :

Colonel Robert P. Baldwin distinguished himself by extraordinary meritorious service with the 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing on 22 June 1953. Colonel Baldwin while leading four (4) F-86 type aircraft on a fighter sweep along the Manchurian Border sighted four (4) enemy MIG-15 type aircraft pressing an attack against two (2) friendly aircraft and immediately led his flight into the enemy. After successfully breaking up the enemy attack, Colonel Baldwin rolled down on the trailing MIG and fired a short burst into his left wing and fuselage. Colonel Baldwin continued to score numerous hits as heavy smoke poured from both wings and the enemy aircraft went into a steep dive through the clouds. Colonel Baldwin followed him through the cloud layer and pulled up sharply to avoid hitting the ground. Later reports confirmed the destruction of the MIG. By his personal courage and exceptional flying ability in this action, Colonel Baldwin is credited with destroying his fifth (5th) MIG-15 type aircraft. Throughout his tour, Colonel Baldwin's aggressive spirit and mental alertness have brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.



Colonel Rex Barber
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by Colonel Rex Barber

26 / 7 / 2001Died : 26 / 7 / 2001
26 / 7 / 2001Ace : 5.00 Victories
Colonel Rex Barber

Rex Theodore Barber was born in Culver, Oregon on May 6, 1917. Barber was accepted at Oregon State University and graduated from that University in 1940. In September of that year Barber enlisted in the Army Air Corps, and served as a private first class, prior to being accepted for flight training in March of 1941. Following graduation with Class 41-H from Mather Field in California in October of 1941, now Lt. Rex Barber was assigned to the 70th Fighter Squadron of the 35th Fighter Group. He arrived in the Fiji Islands with his new unit in January of 1942. Barber's only victory in 1942 was on December 28, 1942 when he downed a twin-engine Japanese Nell. Early in 1943 the 70th Fighter Squadron was integrated into the 339th Fighter Group, and converted to the Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter. The P-38 was an ideal aircraft given the long distances involved in combat in the Pacific. In April Rex got credit for downing two Zekes near Cape Esperance. On April 18, 1943 Rex participated in one of the most interesting missions of the War, the interception and destruction of the Betty bomber carrying Admiral lsoruko Yamamoto, the Commander of the Japanese Combined Fleet, and mastermind of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The mission was commanded by Major John Mitchell. While a total of sixteen aircraft were involved, only four were to actually attack the Betty. With Yamamoto noted for his punctuality, and American code-breakers having deciphered his intinerary, Mitchell's flight had a fighting chance of pulling off the mission. Yamamoto's flight arrived on schedule. There were two Betty bombers and only four escorting fighters. Barber, Lt. Frank Holmes and Captain Tom Lamphier got in the heat of the action. Barber got hits on both the Bettys and also bagged a Zeke. The Army Air Force decided after the mission to give equal credit to both Lamphier and Barber for downing the Betty which Yamamoto was a passenger in. Years later Tom Lamphier lobbied hard for getting sole credit for the Yamamoto victory. The Air Force's official investigation concluded that a shared victory was still appropriate. More recent evidence, including testimony from one of the Japanese Zero pilots and a survivor from one of the Bettys which was downed, were supportive of the thesis that Rex Barber should get full credit. A book published by noted aviation historian and author Carroll Glines favors this conclusion, and a recent review panel of the American Fighter Aces Association concluded that Rex Barber deserves the sole credit for downing Yamamoto's Betty. This unfortunate controversy tarnishes the fact that this mission was the longest successful interception of its kind, and all those who participated in all aspects of it deserve credit. Barber served a second combat tour in the Pacific with the 449th Fighter Squadron in China. Following the War, Rex commanded the 29th Fighter Squadron of the 412th Fighter Group. Later he would command one of the Air Force's early jet squadrons flying the P-59A Airacomet and the P-80. Rex retired from the Air Force in 1961. His numerous decorations include the Navy Cross, the Silver Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. In January 1945, he returned to duty with 412th Fighter Group, 29th Fighter Squadron, testing the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star. He flew jet fighters in the Korean War and retired as a Colonel after a full Air Force career. By the end of WWII, Barber had five confirmed aerial victories and three probables. Awarded the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal and Veteran of foreign Wars Gold Medal of Merit, he died peacefully in his home on July 26, 2001.




Captain Larry Blumer
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by Captain Larry Blumer

23 / 10 / 1997Died : 23 / 10 / 1997
23 / 10 / 1997Ace : 6.00 Victories
Captain Larry Blumer

Assigned to the 393rd Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, Scrappy, nicknamed after his Scrap Iron P-38, became one of the few fighter pilots to become an ace-in-a-day when he shot down five FW-190s in 15 minutes of aerial combat on 25 August 1944. Scrappy rose to command the 393rd and destroyed another FW-190 before returning to the States in January 1945. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal with 22 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Belgian Croix de Guerre. In 1946, he returned to the United States and became a contractor. Later in life, he purchased a P-38, painted it like his old plane, and flew it at air shows. Sadly Captain Larry Blumer died of Leukemia on October 23rd 1997 in Springfield, Oregon.



Colonel Gerald Brown
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by or with the mounted signature of Colonel Gerald Brown

9 / 12 / 2007Died : 9 / 12 / 2007
9 / 12 / 2007Ace : 5.00 Victories
Colonel Gerald Brown

Gerald Brown arrived in Europe in August 1943, completing his first tour with the 38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group, becoming the first P38 Ace in the 8th Air Force. Volunteering for a second tour, this time flying P-51 Mustangs with the 334th FS, 4th Fighter Group at Debden. In September 1944 he was forced to bail out of his burning P-51 over enemy territory, but escaped to return to his squadron, and completed his second tour in November 1944. Gerry Brown later flew in Korea, but was shot down, spending three years in captivity. Sadly, he passed away on 9th December 2007.



Colonel Hubert M. Childress
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by Colonel Hubert M. Childress
Colonel Hubert M. Childress

Hubert Childress was posted to England, joining the 27th Photo Recon Squadron, 7th Photographic Group flying the F5 - a specially adapted photo-recon version of the P38 with cameras and no guns. Hubert flew his first combat mission on New Year's Eve 1943, and was heavily involved in many reconnaissance missions prior to D-Day. He also flew the Spitfire MkIXs on several operations. He flew 58 combat missions and later commanded the 7th Photographic Group (R)




Wing Commander James Gordon Cole DFC
Click the name above to see prints signed by Wing Commander James Gordon Cole DFC
Wing Commander James Gordon Cole DFC

Wing Commander James Gordon Cole DFC joined the RAF in 1938 and had his initial training at Reading, Uxbridge and Montrose. He then went to France with No 13 Sqn, returning in May 1940. After a spell with 231 Sqn in Northern Ireland he then went by destroyer (HMAS Nestor) to Egypt to join 2 PRU until early 1944. He was then posted as Liaison Officer with P.R. Group, USAAF at Chalgrove, and subsequently flew P-38s (Lightning) on sorties over the D-Day beaches, La Rochelle, amongst others.




Col Perry J Dahl
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by or with the mounted signature of Col Perry J Dahl
9 / 12 / 2007Ace : 9.00 Victories
Col Perry J Dahl

Born 18 February 1923, Colonel Dahl served in the 41st Infantry Division as an enlisted man in the early 1940s. He applied for aviation cadet training shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, was accepted and graduated as a Second Lieutenant in June 1943. Following transition training in the P-38 Lightning, Dahl was sent to Tumwater, Washington with the 55th Fighter Group, then on to the Pacific Theater as a replacement pilot in the 432nd Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group Satans Angels. Starting in Buna, New Guinea, he fought through the Pacific, ending up at Lingayen Gulf, Philippine Islands. Lieutenant Dahl scored his first victory on 9 November 1943, a Zeke downed near Alexishafen, and destroyed another Zeke over Wewak three days before Christmas. He was credited with a third Zeke on 23 January 1944 and became an ace on 3 April when he shot down a Zeke and an Oscar near Santani Lake. He was credited with one more Oscar on 8 June before the group moved to the Philippines. Promoted to captain, Dahl continued to run up his score, downing a Tony on 10 November. Two weeks later he was involved in a mid-air collision and parachuted into enemy territory. He was captured by a Japanese patrol but was rescued by Filipino guerrillas. He returned to his unit thirty one days later and concluded his scoring in March 1945, credited with a Sally on the 5th and a Hamp on the 28th. Following World War II Dahl attended the University of Washington and Southern Colorado State University, where he graduated with a Batchelor of Science degree. He was employed with the Seattle Post Intelligencer when he was recalled to active duty in February, 1951. Following recall, his duty assignments included: Test pilot, Air Force Depot; Editor Flying Safety Magazine; Student, Air Command and Staff College; Commander 734th Aircraft Warning and Control Squadron; Air Staff, Pentagon, Washington DC; Vice Commandant of Cadets, United States Air Force Academy; Deputy Chief of Staff, North American Air Defense Command and Commander, 56th Special Operations Wing. Colonel Dahl flew two combat tours in Southeast Asia. He retired from the Air Force on June 30 1978.


Citation for the Silver Star

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Perry J. Dahl (ASN: 0-748923), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a P-38 fighter airplane of the 432d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, FAR EAST Air Forces, in action off the coast of French Indo-China, on 28 March 1945. Captain Dahl led a squadron of eight P-38 aircraft escorting bombers on an attach against an enemy convoy. Preceding the bombers to the rendezvous, he searched for the convoy and, after 45 minutes, discovered it. He circled the vessels at a dangerously low altitude, made observations at the risk of being hit by accurate anti-aircraft fire, and reported the position of the convoy to the B-25's. Shortly afterwards, he noticed that an accompanying fight of P-38's, their pilots apparently unaware of some 20 enemy fighters above, was attacking a few hostile planes at a lower altitude. Unable to communicate with the endangered flight, he pulled up to intercept the enemy fighters as they dived to attack it. After dispatching part of his own squadron to pursue another attacking fighter, he continued the uneven engagement with the aid of only 4 other P-38's. As pairs of enemy planes dived in rapid succession, he attacked each pair in turn, forcing the pilots to break off the attack and destroying one of the enemy fighters. The lower flight of P-38's finally rose to engage the enemy after he and his flight had carried on a 20-minute battle. Leaving the target area, he was again attacked by 6 enemy fighters. With a dangerously low gasoline supply he had to fight his way through the interception and, unable to get to his own base, succeeded in reaching another airfield with only 10 to 20 gallons of fuel reserve. The outstanding leadership, courage and flying skill displayed by Captain Dahl during this flight represent the highest type of service to be rendered to the United States Army Air Forces.



Lieutenant Colonel Joseph A Dobrowolski
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by Lieutenant Colonel Joseph A Dobrowolski

1 / 2 / 2006Died : 1 / 2 / 2006
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph A Dobrowolski

Enlisting in June 1942, Joseph Dobrowolski was assigned to the 367th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force, and arrived the European Theater, April 1944, flying P-38s out of Stoney Cross in England. He flew his first combat mission a month later. Flying throughout the whole D-Day invasion period he notched up 175 combat hours, the majority in the hazardous ground-attack role, chalking up many ground victories before returning to the U.S. in November 1944. He retired Lieutenant Colonel in 1967. Joe Dobrolowolski passed away on 1st February 2006.




Cpt Joseph Forster
Click the name above to see prints signed by or with the mounted signature of Cpt Joseph Forster
Cpt Joseph Forster

Born in 1919, Joe Forster enlisted in the Army in 1940, being commissioned as a pilot in 1943, flying the P-38 with 432nd Fighter Squadron. On 3rd April 1944, he was credited with his first 3 confirmed victories, eventually finishing the war with 9 confirmed victories, three probables and one damaged. He retired from the air force in 1971, having one two DFCs among other decorations.




Captain Delton Goerke
Click the name above to see prints signed by Captain Delton Goerke

23 / 3 / 1999Died : 23 / 3 / 1999
Captain Delton Goerke

Almost two years to the day after joining the USAAF, Delton Goerke found himself selected to take part in the Yamamoto Mission. He had three combat tours to Guadalcanal with 339th Pursuit Squadron and saw action also in the Solomon Islands. He flew P39 and P38 fighters and completed a total of 78 combat missions. On the Yamamoto Missions he was part of Mitchells top cover flight. He died 23rd March 1999.



Lieutenant Colonel Bill Harris
Click the name above to see prints signed by Lieutenant Colonel Bill Harris
23 / 3 / 1999Ace : 16.00 Victories
Lieutenant Colonel Bill Harris

Before joining the Army Air Force, Bill Harris had served in the US Navy for 4 years he got his flying wings and on 30th October 1942 was commissioned as a second lieutenant at Luke Field, Arizona and assigned to the 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group. Flying a P-38G, Harris scored his first victory on 7th June 1943 by destroying two Zeros over the Russells. On the 16th Harris shot down two Zeros over Guadalcanal during a noontime attack by the Japanese. On 4th October he claimed a Zero on a B-24 escort to Kahili to become an ace. After downing a Zero three days later, on the 10th he was credited with two Zeros on a morning mission to Kahili and that afternoon downed one Zeke confirmed and shared a probable. Promoted to captain, on 27 October Harris became a double ace when he destroyed a Japanese dive-bomber over Treasury Island. Flying out of the Treasury Islands on 9th February 1944, Harris was credited with three Zeros on a sweep over the Admiralties, followed by another pair of Zekes over Vanakanau Airstrip on the 15th. Promoted to lieutenant colonel, Harris was sent to the Philippines to command the 18th Fighter Group in the spring of 1945. On 22nd June he downed an Oscar over Mandai Airdrome to become the top P-38 ace in the Thirteenth Air Force.



Lt Colonel Besby F Holmes
Click the name above to see prints signed by Lt Colonel Besby F Holmes
23 / 3 / 1999Ace : 5.00 Victories
Lt Colonel Besby F Holmes

Besby Holmes was one of only 18 fighter pilots to get airborne over Hawaii on 7th December 1941. 18th April 1943 sw him in the Attack Flight on the Yamamoto Mission. After initial difficulty releasing long range tanks, Holmes, with wingman Ray Hine, joined Barber and Lamphier in the attack on the bombers and the dog fight with the escorting Zeroes. Besby Holmes was credited with 6 air victories in his 145 combat missions.



USAF Colonel Travis Hoover
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by USAF Colonel Travis Hoover

17 / 1 / 2004Died : 17 / 1 / 2004
USAF Colonel Travis Hoover

Travis Hoover was born September 21, 1917 at Melrose, New Mexico. He graduated from Polytechnic High School in Riverside, California in 1938. He enlisted in the National Guard in 1938, and became a Flying Cadet in the Regular Army in 1939. By May of 1940 Hoover had earned his wings and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. He was selected to participate in the first bombing raid on Tokyo in 1942, which was both planned and lead by Jimmy Doolittle. Hoover piloted the second B-25 off the Homet's deck and caught up with the aircraft piloted by Doolittle. They attacked Tokyo together. This was the first strike back against the Japanese homeland and occurred only four months following the Pearl Harbor raid. Hoover's B-25 headed west towards China following the attack, and as they reached the Chinese coast they ran out of fuel. They made a forced landing in Japanese occupied territory. They were able to evade the Japanese forces for several days, and eventually they contacted a Chinese student, Tung Sheng Lin, who guided Hoover's crew to safety. Undoubtedly Tung Sheng Lin's courage and valor, and his utter disregard for his own safety, prevented Hoover's crew from being captured and executed. Hoover made it back to America, and he continued to serve his country. He flew B-25s and B-24s out of England, North Africa, and Italy from September of 1942 until May of 1944. He then volunteered to fly P-38 Lightnings in the fighter and dive bomber roles in Italy for another few months. He flew a total of 73 combat missions in WW 11. Later in the War, Hoover instructed in air operations at the Command and General Staff School at Leavenworth, Kansas. His peacetime overseas service included tours in both Okinawa and Turkey. In 1949 he earned his B.A. degree from the University of California. Stateside assignments included Kansas, Washington, D.C., California, Texas, and Mississippi. He completed enough flying hours to earn his command pilot's wings. Travis retired from the Air Force with the rank of Colonel. His numerous decorations include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with Oak Leak Cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Chinese Army, Navy, and Air Corps Medal, Class A V' Grade. Retiring in 1969 to San Antonio, Texas, Col. Hoover currently resides in Joplin, Missouri. Travis Hoover passed away 17th January 2004.



Lt Colonel Frank D Hurlbut
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by or with the mounted signature of Lt Colonel Frank D Hurlbut
17 / 1 / 2004Ace : 9.00 Victories
Lt Colonel Frank D Hurlbut

Frank Hurlbut joined the National Guard in early 1940 before being activated following the Japanese Attack at Pearl Harbor. He was posted to the 82nd Fighter Group, 96th FS flying P38s in Europe. He became a P38 Ace on 10th July 1943 during a notable fighter sweep in which his Group was credited with 10 kills. Frank Hurlbut flew over 50 combat missions and scored nine confirmed victories, all in Europe, making him the second highest Ace in the 12th Air Force. In Italy, in the summer of 1944, where he flew P38s with the 96th FS. Attacking targets of opportunity and strafing trains, the squadron escorted the heavy bombers that attacked aircraft




Colonel Jack M Ilfrey
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by or with the mounted signature of Colonel Jack M Ilfrey

15 / 10 / 2004Died : 15 / 10 / 2004
15 / 10 / 2004Ace : 8.00 Victories
Colonel Jack M Ilfrey

Posted to North Africa with the 94th Fighter Group, Jack Ilfrey lost a belly tank transiting from England and force-landed at Lisbon. He avoided internment by conning some fuel and making an unauthorised take-off. He became one of the early P-38 Aces, and historians now say the very first P-38 Ace. Back in England in 1944 he commanded the 79th P-38 Squadron, 20th Fighter Group, at Kingscliffe, and ended his tow-tour war with 8 victories. Sadly, Jack Ilfrey died on 15th October 2004.




Major Julius Jack Jacobson
Click the name above to see prints signed by Major Julius Jack Jacobson

8 / 4 / 2005Died : 8 / 4 / 2005
Major Julius Jack Jacobson

Jack Jacobson joined the Service in March 1941, and flew his first combat missions in October 1942. Jack Jacobson was John Mitchells regular wingman, and flew in that position on the Yamamoto Mission. Flying P39s and later P38s he saw action at Guadalcanal and in the Solomons, flying a total of 111 combat missions. After leaving the Service in 1946 he rejoined to serve two years in the Korean conflict. Cracking the Japanese naval code, U.S. intelligence discovered the travel plans of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, architect of the Pearl Harbor attack. On April 18, 1943, sixteen Army Air Force P-38 fighters took off to intercept his aircraft. Flying at altitudes of 50 feet or less over 400 miles of open ocean while maintaining radio silence, they arrived at precisely the right moment"a phenomenal feat of navigation. Sixty-two years later, exactly which pilot shot down Yamamoto’s aircraft in the ensuing turmoil of aerial combat remains a controversy. “Jack” Jacobson, one of only three living Yamamoto Mission pilots, flew as wingman to mission leader Major John W. Mitchell. Jack Jacobson passed away on 8th April 2005.




Colonel Arthur Jeffrey
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by Colonel Arthur Jeffrey
8 / 4 / 2005Ace : 14.00 Victories
Colonel Arthur Jeffrey

Arthur Jeffrey WAS born in Brewer, Arkansas on the 17th of November, 1919. Arthur Jeffrey enlisted in the Army on August 18th, 1939, and two years later in September, he entered aviation cadet training and graduated at Kelly Field, Texas in April of 1942. Jeffrey was assigned to the newly-formed 479th Fighter Group flying P-38s, and after a training period, his group was sent to England to become a part of the 8th Air Force. The year was 1944, and eleven days after arrival, the group began flying operational missions. Arthur Jeffrey became the top-scoring P-38 Ace with the 479th Fighter Group, and later became the Groups leading scorer after they converted to P-51s. Jeffrey was a captain in the 434th Fighter Squadron, and scored his first aerial victory over a Fw-200K heavy bomber downed over the Chateaubernard Airdrome near Cognac in July. Jeffrey went on to command the 434th Fighter Group. Arthur had the distinction of being the first pilot to shoot down the Luftwaffes jet-rocket aircraft - the Me163. He flew 82 combat missions and was credited with 14 aerial victories. Arthur Jeffrey ended his tour as a lieutenant colonel in command of the 434th Fighter Squadron, with a list of combat awards including the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Air Medal with 16 Oak Leaf Clusters. Arthur Jeffrey remained in the Air Force after the war and retired from the Air Force in September, 1968.



William King
Click the name above to see prints signed by William King
8 / 4 / 2005Ace : 5.50 Victories
William King

P51 pilot who flew during the D-Day landings. Serving with the 355th Fighter Squadron, he scored 5.5 victories, including 3 Fw190s in a single day.




Lt Colonel Louis R Kittel
Click the name above to see prints signed by Lt Colonel Louis R Kittel
Lt Colonel Louis R Kittel

Lou Kittel joined the Service in 1939, seeing his first combat in March 1943 in the Pacific. He pioneered night-fighting techniques useing the P38, loitering at high altitude and pouncing on enemy aircraft caught in the searchlights. On one occasion he flamed two Bettys over Guadalcanal in a spectacular interception watched by half the islands population, returning to a heroes welcome. Lou Kittel flew 78 combat missions and recorded 4 air victories and 1 probable.



Captain James Kunkle
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by Captain James Kunkle
Captain James Kunkle

Before he was eighteen and could join up, Kunkle had a job with Lockheed assembling P-38 wing sections, but as soon as he was old enough he enlisted for pilot training. In May 1944 he joined the 401st Fighter Squadron, 370th Fighter Group at Andover, England. His first mission was an armed reconnaissance across the Channel after D-Day. In July the squadron flew to an airfield on Omaha Beach, and flew air-support missions that devastated the German 7th Army at Falaise. He was shot down after a dog-fight with Fw190s and Me109s but managed to bail out over American lines. He later became a test pilot.

Citation for the Distinguished Service Cross :

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) James K. Kunkle (ASN: 0-763232), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane in the 401st Fighter Squadron, 370th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 16 September 1944, during an air mission over Aachen, Germany. On this date, while flying as rear man in a squadron on an armed reconnaissance mission, Lieutenant Kunkle noticed that his squadron was about to be surprised by a vastly superior force of enemy aircraft. Unable to summon his leader on the radio, he alone unhesitatingly pulled away from his formation and vigorously attacked the enemy, immediately destroying one of his aircraft. In so doing, Lieutenant Kunkle placed himself in a position to be attacked from the rear and above. When this attack materialized, many hits were registered on his aircraft which caught fire burning his face, neck, and hands. Despite his burning plane and the gunfire from enemy planes, Lieutenant Kunkle continued his attack against the vastly superior enemy force and succeeded in destroying a second enemy aircraft, breaking off combat only when forced to parachute to safety when his left fuel tank exploded. Second Lieutenant Kunkle's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.



Lt Col John Loisel
Click the name above to see prints signed by Lt Col John Loisel

20 / 1 / 2010Died : 20 / 1 / 2010
20 / 1 / 2010Ace : 11.00 Victories
Lt Col John Loisel

American air ace, credited with having shot down 11 Japanese aircraft during World War II. Passed away 20th January 2010.



Major Thomas E Maloney
Click the name above to see prints signed by Major Thomas E Maloney

16 / 11 / 2008Died : 16 / 11 / 2008
16 / 11 / 2008Ace : 8.00 Victories
Major Thomas E Maloney

Maj. Thomas E. Maloney, the highest scoring ace in 27th Fighter Squadron history with 8 victories. By scoring five kills during the war, he became an ace May 31, 1944, and by August 15th he had racked-up eight air victories. On August 19th he was already on his second combat mission of the day, his 64th, and last. After the dive-bombing, Maloney's flight looked for targets of opportunity. Repeatedly strafing a German train, Maloney's bullets caused secondary explosions sending debris and rolling stock higher into the air than his attacking aircraft. One of his engines was hit. It started losing oil pressure and he shut it off. With an escort of three other 27th fighters he headed for the Mediterranean Sea. His other engine began failing, and he was down to 800 feet above the water, too low to bail out. He bellylanded the aircraft in the water. Maloney said his P-38 floated like a crowbar. It started to sink immediately, even before it had stopped moving forward, almost taking him to the bottom. The tall pilot squeezed into his inner tube-size dinghy and waved to his circling flight to let them know he was OK. He expected a quick rescue, but he actually spent 10 days evading enemy forces until rescued by French soldiers and returned to the U.S. As Major Maloney recovered from his wounds in the hospital, Col. R.S. Richard, 1st Pursuit Group commander, decreed that any 27th Fighter Squadron aircraft bearing the number 23 would permanently be known as Maloney's Pony, the colorful moniker Major Maloney chose for his P-38. After rehabilitation Maloney was medically retired as a major in October 1947. He went back to school, then went on to become president of his own oil and gas drilling company. On December 5th 2008 Maloney was inducted into the Oklahoma Aviation and Space Hall of Fame. Tom Maloney passed away on November 16th, 2008.



Colonel Charles McGee
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by Colonel Charles McGee
Colonel Charles McGee

Charles McGee graduated from flight school and shipped out to Italy in December 1943 as a flight Lieutenant in the 302nd fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group. He flew missions in North Africa, Italy and Germany, and got his first victory on 24th August flying escort in the Ploesti oil field raid. After the war this outstanding flyer commanded fighter squadrons throughout the United States, Italy, the Philippines and Germany, logging up more than 6,100 hours in 409 combat missions spanning World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Serving in the armed forces for 30 years he holds the record of flying more combat missions than any other USAF pilot in history. Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1919, Charles MeGee, who was to become a Command Aviator who would fly combat missions in three different military conflicts, spent his childhood in Ohio, Illinois, and Iowa. Following two years attending the University of Illinois, WW 11 began, and McGee was sworn into the US Army enlisted reserves on October 26, 1942. He was accepted for pilot training in November and entered the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Training Program. McGee earned his wings and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in June 1943, as a member of Class 43-F at Tuskegee Army Air Field. He was assigned along with many of the other black pilots who had earned their wings at Tuskegee to the 332 nd Fighter Group in Italy. With the 302nd Fighter Squadron McGee trained in the P-40 and would later fly more than 82 tactical missions in the P-39. His fighter group was then transferred into the Fifteenth Air Force and he first flew the P-47 and several weeks later the P-51 Mustang. In this duty, along with other Tuskegee Airmen, McGee performed admirably surmounting many of the unfortunate hurdles placed in their path. The Tuskegee Ainnen became known for their superlative effort at protecting allied bombers from attacking German fighters. McGee is credited with downing one Fw- 190, and the destruction or damage of many others on the ground. He became a flight leader, was promoted to Captain, and after flying 54 more combat missions, returned to Alabama as a twin engine flight instructor. In 1950 McGee flew 100 more combat missions with the 67th Fighter Bomber Squadron of the 18th Fighter Group. He was then made Commander of the 44th Bomber Squadron flying out of Clark Field in the Philippines. Later he would serve with an F-89 Interceptor Squadron, and following a number of interesting operational and staff assignments he would serve as Commander of the 16th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron deployed in Vietnam. In his year in Vietnam, McGee would fly another 173 missions. Later assignments included Air Liason Officer for USAEUR and 7th Army, Chief of Maintenance for the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing, Director of Maintenance Engineering for AF Communication Service, and Commander of Richards-Gebaur AFB, and the 1840 Air Base Wing. He retired from the USAF in 1973 with 6,300 flying hours, including 1,100 hours flown on fighter combat missions. Col. McGee earned a BA Degree in Business Administration and worked for many years in the real estate business with ISC Financial Corporation. He also served as Director of Administration forthe city of Prairie Village, Kanasas, and as Manager of the downtown Kansas City Airport. Now fully retired Charles lives with his wife, the former Frances Nelson of Champaign, Illinois. The McGees have three children, ten grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. His numerous decorations include the Legion of Merit with one cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross with two clusters, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with 25 clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one cluster, a Presidential Unit Citation, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, to name only a few.




First Lieutenant Robert C Milliken
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by First Lieutenant Robert C Milliken
16 / 11 / 2008Ace : 5.00 Victories
First Lieutenant Robert C Milliken

Robert C. Milliken joined the U.S. Army Air Force in June of 1942. After training he was assigned to fly P-38s for the 429th Fighter Squadron of the new 474th Fighter Group out of Warmwell England in late April of 1944. Second Lieutenant Milliken flew his first combat mission on April 30, 1944. During his participation in D-Day operations, and thereafter, he flew a great variety of missions claiming his first of several victories when he shot down a German FW-190 in an air battle fought between Chateaudin and LeMans. After having completed a tour of 69 missions by November 11th, 1944 he volunteered for two more missions during the Battle of the Bulge, and in a noontime dogfight shot down a German Me-109, a fifth victory which made him an ace. He returned to the United States in July of 1945 and, after the end of the war, was relieved from active duty in December 1945. He was awarded a Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal (16 OLC) for his five victories and four damages against German forces.



Lieutenant Colonel William Bill D Mitchell
Click the name above to see prints signed by Lieutenant Colonel William Bill D Mitchell
Lieutenant Colonel William Bill D Mitchell

Receiving his pilots wings in 1942, Bill Mitchell trained on high altitude P38 Lightnings, to become a photo-reconnaissance pilot. Arriving in England in November 1943, he joined the 30th Photo-Reconnaissance Squadron, of which he was the commander for its missions with the Ninth Air Force. Bill flew a total of eighty-five operational missions, including three on D-Day. 




Brigadier General Robin Olds
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by or with the mounted signature of Brigadier General Robin Olds

14 / 6 / 2007Died : 14 / 6 / 2007
14 / 6 / 2007Ace : 13.00 Victories
Brigadier General Robin Olds

After leaving West Point in June 1943, Robin Olds was posted to the 479th Fighter Group in England, joining 434 Squadron. Based at Wattisham in East Anglia, and flying P-38s, he was involved in heavy bomber escort duties and fighter sweeps until the Normandy invasion, soon after which his Squadron converted to P51 Mustangs. by early 1945 Robin Olds was in command of 434 Squadron taking part in the Battle of the Bulge, flying escort missions, and providing air support to the airborne attack across the Rhine. At the end of World War II Robin Olds had 24.5 victories, of which 13 were in the air. Later in Vietnam Robin Olds gained four more victories, flying F4 Phantoms and flew with the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing. Sadly, Robin Olds passed away on 14th June 2007.



First Lieutenant Richard Ostronik
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by First Lieutenant Richard Ostronik
First Lieutenant Richard Ostronik

Joining the service at the end of 1942, Dick Ostronik was posted to the 82nd Fighter Group in Italy, in the summer of 1944, where he flew P38s with the 96th FS. Attacking targets of opportunity and strafing trains, the squadron escorted the heavy bombers that attacked aircraft factories and industrial targets, and flew defending photo reconnaissance missions - once against a pair of Me262s. Dick flew over 30 combat missions, finishing his stint in Europe in May 1945.



Lieutenant Colonel William Pope
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by Lieutenant Colonel William Pope
Lieutenant Colonel William Pope

Bill Pope flew P-38s with the 343rd Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group. He flew the first of his 73 combat missions on 29th April 1944, and was flying on D-Day. The 343rd Fighter Squadron later converted to P-51s. He retired in 1966.



First Lieutenant Mel Roasvig
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by First Lieutenant Mel Roasvig
First Lieutenant Mel Roasvig

Already in the Reserves, Mel Roasvig was activated for full service in August 1941, and was posted overseas to join the 97th Fighter Squadron, 82nd Fighter Group, by then operating in Italy. Flying the P38 Lightning in its main role of bomber escort, he also took part in dive bombing operations in Czechoslovakia, and hitting targets of opportunity, including strafing an ammunition train which exploded, the debris seriously damaging his aircraft.



Lieutenant Colonel William Dixie Sloan
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by Lieutenant Colonel William Dixie Sloan

30 / 1 / 1999Died : 30 / 1 / 1999
30 / 1 / 1999Ace : 12.00 Victories
Lieutenant Colonel William Dixie Sloan

Born in 1921, he went to flying school in 1942. Flying P-38 Lightnings over North Africa, he became the top Ace in that theatre, with 12 victories. He stayed in the Air Force after the war. He died 30th January 1999.



Colonel Darrell G Welch
Click the name above to see prints signed by Colonel Darrell G Welch
30 / 1 / 1999Ace : 5.00 Victories
Colonel Darrell G Welch

Commissioned in 1941, Darrell Welch was assigned to the 27th Squadron of the 1st Fighter Group, which became the first squadron to be equipped with the new P38 Lightning. Arriving in England in August 1942, the 1st Fighter Group was part of a large American force despatched to Algiers in November for the North African campaign, where he made his first kill in January 1943 while escorting B17s over Tripoli. A few months later, whilst leading the 27th on a big intercept mission, Welch became an Ace when he notched up a further three victories in the space of just twenty five minutes, bringing his tally up to five confirmed victories. He later saw service in the Pacific, and retired the service in 1970.



Lieutenant Colonel William Willis
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by Lieutenant Colonel William Willis
Lieutenant Colonel William Willis

William Willis joined the service in October 1942. Posted overseas to England, he flew P-38s with the 343rd Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group. Based at Wormingford, the Group was equipped with P-38 Lightnings, which they were flying over Normandy at the time of the D-Day invasion. Shortly after they were converted to P-51s, on which Willis went to Berlin on a strafing mission.




Colonel Richard Willsie
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by Colonel Richard Willsie
Colonel Richard Willsie

Joining up in 1942, Dick Willsie was posted to North Africa with the 414th Night Fighter Squadron, where he flew 31 missions on the Beaufighter. He transferred to the 96th Fighter Squadron, 82nd Fighter Group, flying the P38 Lightning on 82 day missions through to the end of hostilities in Europe. He notched up a large number of ground attack victories as well as three aerial victories in his P38 'Snake Eyes'.On one mission Captain Richard Dick Willsie's P-38 was damaged by flak near Ploesti, Romania. After both engines failed, Willsie crash-landed but was rescued from capture when Flight Officer Dick Andrews landed his P-38 on the field, squeezed Willsie into the cockpit, and flew back to base. Willsie would go on to serve in both Korea and Vietnam, and Willsie became the commanding officer of the 602nd Air Commando Squadron and retired in 1974.




Colonel Hub Zemke
Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by Colonel Hub Zemke

30 / 8 / 1994Died : 30 / 8 / 1994
30 / 8 / 1994Ace : 17.75 Victories
Colonel Hub Zemke

Best known as leader of the legendary Zemkes Wolfpack, Hub Zemkes famous 56th Fighter Group was the top scoring Fighter Group in the European Theather of operations. Zemke pioneered the use of the P-38 Droop Snoot as a bomb aiming aircraft which led the bomb-loaded P-47s on to the target with great accuracy and success. He later commanded the 479th Fighter Group P-38s. One of the outstanding fighter leaders of the war, Hub Zemkes personal tally 17.5 victories. Sadly, he passed awway on 30th August 1994.


Contact Details
Shipping Info
Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy
Privacy Policy
Classifieds

Join us on Facebook!

Sign Up To Our Newsletter!

Stay up to date with all our latest offers, deals and events as well as new releases and exclusive subscriber content!

This website is owned by Cranston Fine Arts.  Torwood House, Torwoodhill Road, Rhu, Helensburgh, Scotland, G848LE

Contact: Tel: (+44) (0) 1436 820269.  Email: cranstonorders -at- outlook.com

Follow us on Twitter!

Return to Home Page