GUNFIGHTERS OF THE EIGHTH – The Original Painting by John Shaw

Description

While escorting a formation of B-17s back from their target in Germany, 2nd Lt Clinton Burdick and P-51D Mustangs of the 356th Fighter Group intercept an attacking Schwarm of Fw190s south of Dümmer, 14 January 1945. During the savage dogfight the Luftwaffe Fighters are completely overwhelmed, and Burdick claims two Fw190’s in quick succession, putting him on the verge of Ace status.

Completed in oil paint on fine canvas, this powerful original work by one of the world’s most remarkable artists, John Shaw, is now available. John’s original work rarely becomes available on the collector’s market and at an imposing 40 x 26 ¾ inches of canvas size, this stunning painting would be the centerpiece of any collection.

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MORE INFORMATION ON THE SCENE

    With the festivities of Christmas now past, the New Year of 1945 dawned to one of the coldest winters for many years. The relentless pounding of German industry by US and RAF bombers continued unabated and Allied Infantry, Airborne and Armored Divisions advanced towards Berlin from the Netherlands and Belgium. Hitler’s once indomitable armies were in retreat.

   But still Germany was not defeated. On the ground its forces fought with relentless aggression during the Battle of the Bulge, and in the air the expert Pilots of the once fabled Luftwaffe responded with renewed intensity, in a desperate attempt to turn the tide as the Allies grew ever closer to the Reich. The Pilots of the USAAF faced a daunting challenge against these battle-hardened “Luftwaffe Experten”, and some of the most brutal encounters took place during these last few months of the war in Europe.

This powerful painting recalls a furious encounter on 14 January 1945. While escorting a formation of B-17s over Germany, P-51D Mustangs of the 356th Fighter Group dive into a Schwarm of marauding Fw190s, completely overwhelming the Luftwaffe Fighters. In the thick of the action is 2nd Lt Clinton Burdick, who claims the first of two Fw190s during the encounter as his .50 caliber machine guns destroy the German Fighter’s hydraulics.