Description
Duxford became home of the 78th Fighter Group when they arrived in England with their P-47B Thunderbolts in 1943. The objective of the American fighter units was to gain air superiority over the Luftwaffe in support of their daylight bombing campaign. By the end of 1944 they achieved their objective.
RAF Duxford’s history goes back to the First World War, when its buildings were constructed by German POWs! First occupants were the RAF’s No 8 Squadron in 1919, and in 1940 Duxford became famous as an important Battle of Britain fighter station, housing Douglas Bader’s Hurricane Wing.
The arrival of the USAAF’s 78th Fighter Group in April 1943, with their big P-47 Razorback Thunderbolt fighters, brought a new dimension to the Cambridgeshire base, the Americans quickly becoming part of the local community. But they were on a deadly mission: Given the task of escorting Eighth Air Force B-17 Fortress and B-24 Liberator heavy bombers on the awesome daylight raids, the USAAF fighter units were thrown into battle from the day they arrived. Beginning with high altitude fighter sweeps over France and Holland, followed by long-range escort missions providing much needed defense for the bombers against roaming Luftwaffe fighters – auxiliary fuel tanks taking them ever deeper into Germany.
With the approach of D-Day, the robust P-47s, now supplemented with the sleeker, bubble canopy D models, became engaged in low-level ground attacks in preparation for the coming invasion.
The USAAF fighter escorts made an impact from day one, drastically reducing bomber losses, and racking up impressive kill ratios against the Luftwaffe, and by the spring of 1944, the Allies had gained vital air superiority over the Luftwaffe in the fearsome air war raging over occupied Europe. The 78th Fighter Group from Duxford played their part.
It is the spring of 1944, and with the Normandy invasion just days away, P-47D Thunderbolts of the 78th Fighter Group, already painted with invasion markings, depart Duxford en route for the north coast of France, and a low-level strafing mission.
This superb release by the hugely talented Richard Taylor commemorates the valiant contribution of the 78th Fighter Group during WWII.
THE LIMITED EDITION
Joining artist Richard Taylor in signing this outstanding tribute to the P-47 Thunderbolt, each print in the entire edition is signed by one of the most respected P-47 fighter Aces who flew combat over Europe during World War II.
Colonel ROBERT J. “SHORTY” RANKIN – 10 victories, including Ace in a day.
THE FIGHTER ACES EDITION
Every print in this exclusive Fighter Aces edition has been signed by three additional iconic P-47 Pilots, including two legendary Aces, who flew combat in Europe during WWII:
Colonel WALKER “BUD” MAHURIN – 24 ¼ victories
Colonel STEVE PISANOS – 10 victories
First Lieutenant SAMUEL ‘BUZZARD’ LUTZ
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