ROBERT TAYLOR Air Combat Paintings V Book & Little Friends Print USAAF Edition

  

" AIR COMBAT PAINTINGS VOLUME V - USAAF ". THE LIMITED EDITION W/" LITTLE FRIENDS ". "AIR COMBAT PAINTINGS VOLUME V" the USAAF edition is one of two "FIRST EDITION" signed and numbered limited editions of Robert Taylor's new book of aviation paintings (issued simultaneously with the RAF & COMMONWEALTH edition), each a very small edition of just 600 copies. The USAAF American Collector Edition is issued with a matching numbered, specially commissioned print "LITTLE FRIENDS" signed by artist Robert Taylor and two distinguished American fighter and bomber aircrew. Within the gold blocked slipcase the book's unique dust jacket features Taylor's magnificent print "COMPANY OF HEROES" which depicts Captain Rolland H.

Whited's B-17 Flying Fortress'Queenie' of the 34th Bomb Group. Inside are over 60 glorious color plates, dozens of pencil sketches, and a unique look inside the artist's studio. Foreword by Air Commodore Peter Brothers CBE DSO DFC.

In one hundred and twenty eight pages, Robert Taylor's long awaited "AIR COMBAT PAINTINGS VOLUME V" combines over 60 full color plates illustrating a wonderful selection of the artist's latest works. There is a ten page section devoted to his highly detailed full plate pencil drawings and a score more delightful supporting pencil sketches. These spellbinding illustrations are brought to life by tens of thousands of descriptive words written by the artist himself, classifying this superb limited edition package among the most collectable of the artist's works.

Each painting is given its own chapter in which Robert discusses how he brings the canvas to life, providing a beguiling insight into the stories behind each work of art. Robert reveals intriguing information about his preparation and how he tackles research. Fascinatingly, he explains the intricacies of composition, disclosing many of his techniques as he takes you page by page on a VIRTUAL TOUR of his studio.

Each limited edition book is case-bound with dark blue cloth, fitted with high gloss full color dust jacket, and each copy is SIGNED AND NUMBERED BY THE ARTIST. Supplied inside a beautiful color-coordinated slipcase finished with the artist's signature blocked in GOLD LEAF on the cover, this is sure to be a superb quality heirloom to treasure down through the years. "LITTLE FRIENDS" by Robert Taylor is a signed and numbered limited edition print from an edition limited to ONLY 600 prints issued EXCLUSIVELY with, and with the same number as, the "AIR COMBAT PAINTINGS VOLUME V" USAAF edition. With machine gun turret positions in the nose, atop the fuselage, under the belly, in the tail, and with two side gunner positions, it was anticipated no hostile fighter would penetrate a B-17 defensive formation. The sheer mass of defensive fire from a group of B-17s flying in geometrically calculated boxes would be enough to see off any Luftwaffe fighter pilot brave enough to make an attack. But to their terrible cost, the B-17 crews quickly learned their masters' theory didn't stand up when they met Messerschmitt Me109 and Focke Wulf Fw190 pilots in mortal combat. With no escort fighters to worry about, the Luftwaffe fighters circled their prey, carefully chose their line of attack, and ripped into the American bombers from angles they were least able to defend. They were chopping the B-17s down seemingly at leisure. Urgent change in USAAF tactics came in the form of close escort P-51 Mustangs, P-47 Thunderbolts, and P-38 Lightnings, initially with limited range, but enough to stem the flow of losses. Soon, fitted with long range tanks, the American fighters were able to provide support all the way to targets deep inside the Reich, and this combination ultimately helped bring industrial Germany to its knees. Known to the bomber crews as "Little Friends, " the escort fighters added massively to the effectiveness of the USAAF bombing operations, and were much loved by their crews. Robert Taylor's evocative "LITTLE FRIENDS" depicts a scene typical of almost any 8th Air Force raid over enemy territory: P-51 Mustangs of the 20th Fighter Group provide close support for "Bit-O-Lace, " the B-17 having sustained severe flak damage over Kiel, Germany, April 4, 1945. The "little friends" brought her home that day. Every print in the USAAF edition has been individually signed in pencil by the artist and TWO highly regarded aircrew who flew combat with distinction during World War II.

This print is in mint condition, has been stored flat, and has an overall size of 27 1/8" x 19 1/2". This exclusive set, the LIMITED EDITION BOOK with MATCHING NUMBERED LIMITED EDITION PRINT, is issued with the Military Gallery's official Certificate of Authenticity inscribed with the unique collection number and a descriptive six-page color sales brochure. GOOD LUCK AND THANKS FOR LOOKING!