Description
This classic Robert Taylor painting portrays the stark contrast between the peaceful English countryside of the 1940’s, and the harsh reality of the mighty war machines of the day.
From the summer of 1942 until the end of hostilities, the USAAF’s Eighth Air Force took the battle to enemy-occupied Europe every single day that weather permitted. The largest air unit ever to go to war, the Eighth played a vital role in the ultimate defeat of Hitler’s Germany. In the forefront of this awesome fighting force, the crews of the mighty B-17 Flying Fortress will be remembered forever.
This emotive scene portrays ‘Skipper’, one of the longest serving B-17 Fortresses of the war, returning to Thurleigh in East Anglia on a cold afternoon in late January 1945. Flying with the 367th Squadron of the 306th Bomb Group, ‘Skipper’ was badly damaged in November 1944, repaired and returned to service to finish the war with over 100 combat missions flown. Depicted here, the bare metal replacement section in the tail, and several flak patches, have yet to be repainted by her busy ground crew.
THE SIGNATURES
Joining artist Robert Taylor in signing every print are FOUR highly distinguished Aircrew who flew the B-17 in combat during World War II.
Major PAUL H. GREER
Lieutenant Colonel WILLIAM P. KINCHELOE
Flight Lieutenant DON NIELSEN
Captain ROBERT PARIS
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