Description
Fought from 4 to 8 May 1942, the Battle of the Coral Sea was a major naval action between the Imperial Japanese Navy and naval and air forces of the United States and Australia. It was the world’s first carrier-vs.-carrier battle, and the first naval action in which the opposing fleets neither sighted nor fired upon one another, but instead used airpower launched from aircraft carriers.
Although often overshadowed by the events at Midway a month later, Coral Sea proved to be of strategic significance. It marked the end of the previously relentless Japanese advance into the Pacific and stopped the drive toward the strategic Port Moresby, saving Australia’s fragile lifeline.
Commemorating the Battle of the Coral Sea Robert Taylor has chosen to portray the sinking of the Shoho in this dramatic painting. When Commander Weldon Hamilton, leading one of the Lexington’s Dauntless squadrons, spotted the Shoho at 1040 on the morning of May 4th 1942, the Japanese carrier’s fate was sealed. Within minutes she was hit by the full force of the Lexington’s dive bombers and torpedo aircraft, aided by the Yorktown’s attack group. Smothered by a dozen bomb and seven torpedo hits, she was sunk within thirty minutes of the first sighting.
Published in 1996 this stunning edition is personally signed by Pilots who fought in the Battle, creating a historic connection to the events of 1942.
THE FIVE SIGNATURE EDITIONS
Each print is individually signed by the artist and Five iconic SBD Dauntless pilots who fought at the Coral Sea:
Commander HAROLD L. BUELL – VS-5 from the Yorktown / 16 major battles including all five carrier-versus-carrier engagements.
Captain BEN PRESTON – BS-5 from the Yorktown / all major Pacific campaigns including 740 deck landings
Commander JOE RILEY – VB-2 from the Lexington / on the mission that sunk the Ruiku and was aboard when the Lexington was sunk
Captain ARTHUR J. SCHULTZ – VS-2 from the Lexington / involved in the sinking of the Shōhō
Captain ‘Link’ LAWRENCE G. TRAYNOR– VS-5 from the Yorktown / all major Pacific campaigns
THE TEN SIGNATURE EDITIONS
These prints are additionally personally signed by a further four US Navy SBD Dauntless pilots who fought at the Coral Sea along with one of the most legendary SBD Pilots of the War in the Pacific. “Dick” Best:
Captain BILL CHRISTIE – VS-5 from the Yorktown / also fought at Midway
Captain ROBERT ELDER – VB-3 from the Yorktown / also fought at Midway
Commander HARRY A FREDRICKSON – VB-3 from the Yorktown / scored a direct hot on the Shōhō
Captain STANLEY “SWEDE” VEJTASA – VS-5 aboard the Yorktown / attacked the Shōhō, he later switched to fly Wildcats, scoring 11 victories (including Ace in a day)
Lieutenant Commander DICK BEST – with VB-6 aboard the Enterprise he flew escort for the Doolittle Raid so just missed the Coral Sea. He became legendary during the Battle of Midway with VB-6, sinking two Japanese carriers in one day – the Akagi and Hiryū – scoring the fatal hits on both.
This powerful piece must be one of the most historic editions ever produced and a must for collectors of Aviation history.
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