Robert Taylor Art Outward Bound Sold Out L/E

  

The Mighty Eighth Airforce came to England in 1942 to join the RAF with the aim of the destruction of Nazi Germany. With the doctrine of high altitude daylight bombing and initially protected by sparse fighter coverage, the Eighth was subject to heavy casualties from Luftwaffe fighter attacks and numerous anti-aircraft gun's defence over target areas. This clearly demonstrated that fighter protection would be required to play a decisive role in the campaign. Under great Flight Commanders such as Hub Zemke and Don Blakeslee, the Eighth's fighter forces were developed and honed in aerial superiority tactics that would lead the fighters to achieve priceless domination of the skies over Europe.

Robert Taylor's painting depicts the Fighter Groups of the Eighth Airforce forming up to provide fighter cover and ground strafing assignments on another large scale mission deep into Germany during 1944. He has depicted all three of the primary fighter aircraft assigned to bomber escort duty in the Eighth being the P-38 Lightening, P-47 Thunderbolt, and P-51 Mustang. Each "Outward Bound" print is individually signed by the artist and six of the most outstanding fighter Aces in American combat aviation.

Colonel Don Blakeslee, 15 1/2 aerial victories, Colonel Francis "Gabby" Gabreski, 34 1/2 aerial victories, Colonel Robert Johnson, 28 aerial victories, Colonel Walker "Bud" Mahurin, 24 1/4. Aerial victories, Major Richard "Bud" Peterson, 15 1/2 aerial victories and, Colonel Hub Zemke, 17 3/4 aerial victories. The lithograph is accompanied by the Certificate of Authenticity.

The lithograph has been stored flat in archival materials and not exposed to light. The lithograph is undamaged and in excellent condition.