Description

Led by their Commanding Officer Major George Preddy, highest scoring ace in the 8th Air Force, P-51 pilots of the 328th FS, 352nd Fighter Group engage in a bitter struggle with Fw190s in the cold winter air high over Merseburg, eastern Germany. Above, B-17s of the Mighty Eighth turn for home after delivering yet another heavy blow to the enemy’s infrastructure, Tuesday 21 November 1944.

The three squadrons of P-51 Mustangs that made up the 352nd Fighter Group contained
a remarkable collection of fearless young aviators who, amongst other things, provided more ‘Aces in a Day’ than any other P-51 Group in any theatre. These were pilots such as George Preddy - the highest scoring P-51 Mustang Ace in the Eighth Air Force - who downed 6 Me109s in a single day, and Don Bryan with 5 victories in a day. No less than twenty nine of the USAAF’s top aerial Aces in Europe were also from the 352nd, and twelve 352nd pilots scored aerial victories over the revolutionary German jet fighters.

To commemorate the men who flew with the 352nd Fighter Group during World War II, Richard Taylor has created his magnificent painting, Masters of the Sky.

This outstanding new limited edition, together with the masterful companion drawing PREPARING FOR ACTION, further enhances Richard Taylor’s growing reputation as one of the world’s greatest aviation art talents.

Signatures

The edition is signed by some of the 352nd’s most respected pilots and by a number of their vital ground crew, this is an edition for all collectors of aviation art to treasure and admire.

-THE LIMITED EDITION-
Joining artist Richard Taylor, this two signature limited edition has been individually signed by:

Captain GEORGE MIDDLETON –
As a 352nd Fighter Group pilot, he flew P-51 Worra Bird in 85 combat sorties and is credited with 2 aerial victories.

Staff Sergeant ART SNYDER (Companion print)
George Preddy’s greatly respected crew chief who kept his P-51 Cripes A’Mighty flying to perfection,

-THE COLLECTORS’ EDITION-
With all the components of the Limited Edition, the FOUR signature Collectors’ Edition is additionally signed by the following highly distinguished 352nd fighter pilots:

First Lieutenant WALTER G. ‘JACK’ DIAMOND
He flew P-51 Mustang Twyla Sue and not only managed to get airborne during Operation Bodenplatte, but scored an aerial victory and one damaged

Lieutenant Colonel DONALD S. BRYAN
In his Mustang named Little One III, he gained ‘Ace in a Day’ status on 2 November 1944 when he downed five Fw190s in a single mission.

-THE BLUE NOSE EDITION-
In addition to the components of the Collectors’ Edition, the ELEVEN signature Blue Nose Edition is signed by a further three well known 352nd FG pilots:

Captain ROBERT H. ‘PUNCHY’ POWELL
Flying his P-51 named The West “by gawd” Virginian, he was credited with 2 shared victories plus 3 damaged in the air, and destroying 31/2 on the ground.

Lieutenant Colonel RAYMOND R. MITCHELL
During 69 combat missions in his P-51 named Carol he was George Preddy’s wingman on many occasions and is credited with 1 aerial victory.

Lieutenant CHARLES M. PRICE
In his P-51 Little Skunk he completed 27 combat missions and is credited with 3 enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground.

We are delighted that also signing the companion print on the Blue Nose Edition are four further ground crew veterans who served with the 352nd Fighter Group in Europe. These men were pivotal to the success of their fighter pilots:

Staff Sergeant JAMES BLEIDNER
Armourer in the 487th Fighter Squadron from July 1943 to August 1945.

Master Sergeant RALPH McLAIN
Radar Operator with 352nd FG from their arrival in England until the end of the war.

Staff Sergeant BILL STRAUB
Aircraft and engine mechanic with the 487th Fighter Squadron.

Corporal HOWARD POLIN
Part of the 18th Weather Squadron, attached to the 352nd Fighter Group.

-THE ARTIST PROOF & REMARQUE EDITIONS-
In addition to the components of the Blue Nose Edition, these TWELVE signature editions are additionally signed on the main print by:

Captain DONALD W. ‘MAC’ McKIBBEN
One of the original pilots with Group, he flew 80 combat missions in P-47’s and the famous P-51 Miss Lace. He is credited with 2 aerial victories and 1 probable.