FLYING TIGERS - THE STUFF OF LEGEND

ROBERT TAYLOR

FLYING TIGERS THE STUFF OF LEGEND

THE WORLD’S PREMIER AVIATION ARTIST PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE LEGENDARY FLYING TIGERS

FLYING TIGERS – THE STUFF OF LEGEND – Burma, 10 December 1941, and a thousand miles to the south Japanese aircraft were sinking the British battleships Prince of Wales and Renown in an overwhelming display of air power, much as they had done in their unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor three days earlier.

The tropical day was already heating up as Erik Shilling climbed into the cockpit of his modified Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk, parked on an airstrip north of Rangoon. With a huge 20-inch camera bolted into the fuselage behind him, Shilling taxied out and, with two wingmen flying escort, took off on a photo reconnaissance mission to Bangkok which was over-run by the advancing Japanese.

Shilling’s flight was not only one of America’s first missions of WWII, but also the first combat operation carried out by the special unit he’d just joined, the ‘AVG’. Officially known as the 1st American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, the unit quickly became known as the legendary ‘Flying Tigers’.

Secretly formed months before war began, this small band of intrepid American fighter pilots had volunteered to resign their military commissions and commit themselves to the fight against the Japanese invaders in China. Led by the indomitable General Claire Chennault, for the next six months the AVG would blaze a trail of destruction across the skies of Burma and China, their shark-nosed P-40s quickly becoming one of the most recognisable and formidable fighter units of WWII. Although heavily outnumbered and with no more than 50 or 60 serviceable aircraft at any one time, in the space of just 197 days of combat the AVG destroyed nearly 300 Japanese aircraft in the air, and more than half that number on the ground. This was the stuff of legend, yet their magnificent existence came to an end when, without ceremony on 4 July 1942, the AVG were absorbed into the USAAF to become the 23rd Fighter Group. But although the AVG had passed into history, the 23rd FG, still under the command of Claire Chennault, would retain the illustrious title ‘Flying Tigers’ and create their

own place in history. By the end of the war the 23rd FG ‘Flying Tigers’ had amassed over 620 aerial victories.

Robert Taylor has created a masterpiece to honor all of the ‘Flying Tigers’ and his outstanding new painting portrays a typical scene in this distant war fought by that small band of warriors. With their Allison engines screaming at full throttle, P-40s of the AVG’s 3rd Pursuit Squadron - ‘Hell’s Angels’ - surprise the enemy with a deadly strafing attack on a forward Japanese air-base. In the foreground R.T. Smith leads the charge as the ‘Hell’s Angels’ leave a trail of havoc and destruction behind them.

The release is autographed by legendary ‘Flying Tigers’ including four of the AVG’s most respected pilots who, since signing the prints, have sadly passed away, giving even greater meaning to this edition. The Military Gallery is proud to now release this historic commemorative edition in tribute to this immortal unit, providing aviation art connoisseurs with a remarkable collectors piece.

PREVIEW

THE SIGNATURES THE LIMITED EDITION Every print in each edition is personally signed by the artist Robert Taylor together with FOUR legendary AVG Flying Tigers: Flight Leader JOHN R. ‘DICK’ ROSSI Dick Rossi resigned his Navy commission in 1941 to join the AVG and first saw combat over Burma early in January 1942.

Over the next six months he flew with all three AVG ‘Flying Tiger’ squadrons and became an Ace with 6¼ confirmed air victories and 6 more probables. At the end of his combat tour with the AVG and their disbandment, ‘Dick’ Rossi joined the China National Aviation Corporation ferrying supplies across the Hump from India into China and by the war’s end had notched up an impressive record of around 750 trips.

Flight Leader ERIKSEN ‘ERIK’ SHILLING Erik Shilling was one of the first pilots to volunteer for the AVG and flew with them in the 3rd Pursuit Squadron (Hells Angels) until the unit disbanded. A photo reconnaissance expert, he flew many dangerous missions in his P-40 modified for this vital camera work, which included the removal of four of his machine guns, but still scored one aerial victory. After the AVG was incorporated into the 23rd FG he joined the China National Aviation Corporation, flying 700 round trips over the Hump. In 1945 he joined Chennault’s Civil Air Transport in China, and later dropped agents into China during the Korean War.

Brigadier General DAVID L. ‘TEX’ HILL

After serving aboard the USS Saratoga and USS Ranger as a Navy pilot, Tex Hill resigned his commission and volunteered for the AVG, to become a Squadron Leader in the 2nd Pursuit Squadron (Panda Bears) until its disbandment on 4 July 1942, by which time he was the AVG’s second highest scoring Ace. He remained in China with the 23rd Fighter Group, later commanding it and increasing his total to 18¼ victories. At the end of the war he commanded the 412th FG, the first USAF Group to be equipped with jets; and later served in Korea.

Colonel CHARLES H ‘CHUCK’ OLDER Resigning from the Marine Corps in 1941 to join the AVG 3rd Pursuit Squadron (Hells Angels), he took part in the great ‘Christmas’ air battles over Rangoon, shooting down 5 Japanese aircraft. With 10¼ victories to his credit he joined the USAAF when the AVG were disbanded, becoming Deputy Group Commander of the 23rd FG flying P-51s. He later led the initial strike against Shanghai, resulting in the destruction of 77 Japanese aircraft. He completed the war with 18¼ air victories and later became a top superior court judge.

Although sadly no longer with us, these four veterans, in special agreement with the Military Gallery, fully endorsed this edition by adding their signatures to the paper during their lifetime, on condition that prints would be released at a later date. Now, more than 70 years since the formation of the Flying Tigers, the Military Gallery is honored to launch this edition from the world’s most collected aviation artist, inspired by the stories they recounted.

THE FLYING TIGERS

FLYING TIGERS – THE STUFF OF LEGEND –

This rare - and historic - THIRTEEN signature tribute to the Flying Tigers is released with all the elements of the Collectors Edition but, in addition, every print is accompanied by an ORIGINAL pencil drawing individually created for this edition by Robert Taylor, the world’s premier aviation artist.

The beautifully executed drawings are matted to conservation standards to include the original signatures of seven of the most famous Flying Tiger Aces: Squadron Leader ROBERT ‘BOB’ NEALE Born in Canada, ‘Bob’ Neale joined the US Navy and, serving with VB-3 flew SBCs and SBDs off the USS Saratoga. Resigning his commission in June 1941 to join the ‘Flying Tigers’ he commanded the AVG’s 1st Squadron (Adam & Eves) becoming the AVG’s top-scoring Ace with 13 confirmed air victories and was decorated with a British DSO. When the AVG were disbanded he briefly took charge of the 23rd Fighter Group before returning to the US to fly as a civilian pilot with Pan Am. Colonel EDWARD ‘ED’ RECTOR

Ed Rector flew SB2U Vindicators with VB-4 before he joined the AVG, becoming Flight Leader with the 2nd Squadron (Panda Bears).

He escorted Erik Shilling on the AVG’s first mission, and took part in the AVG’s first combat scoring their first victory. In July 1942 he stayed with the 23rd Fighter Group, commanding the 76th Fighter Squadron and in 1945 commanded the Group for his second tour. The last of his 10½ air victories came on 2 April 1945, giving him the ‘Flying Tigers’ final, as well as their first, victory.

Lieutenant Colonel ROBERT T. SMITH ‘R.T’ Smith was a flight instructor when he resigned his commission in July 1941 to join the AVG ‘Flying Tigers’. Flying as a wingman and then a Flight Leader with the 3rd Squadron (Hell’s Angels) he took part in the great Christmas air battles over Rangoon, and would become an AVG Ace credited with 8.9 air victories. Re-joining the USAAF he transferred to the 1st Air Commando Group supporting the Chindits in Burma, and flew a tour in P-51s, before commanding a squadron of B-25s.

Major General JOHN R. ALISON After serving as an assistant Military Attaché in England, and later Russia, he joined the 23rd Fighter Group ‘Flying Tigers’ in June 1942.

Flying with the 75th Fighter Squadron, which he later commanded, he scored his first victory on 30 July which was also the ‘Tigers’ first night victory. Finishing his tour as an Ace with six air victories, in 1944 he returned to the China Burma India theatre to command the 1st Air Commando Force in support of General Orde Wingate’s Special Forces in Burma.

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Major General CHARLES R. BOND ‘Charlie’ Bond joined the AVG in September 1942 after a spell ferrying Hudson bombers to the RAF. Flying in 1st Squadron as wingman to top AVG Ace Bob Neale and shot down twice, he also became an Ace credited with 7 air victories.

Rejoining the USAAF he commanded a squadron of P-40s before being posted to Russia as an aide and pilot to the US Ambassador.

Brigadier General WILTZ ‘FLASH’ SEGURA Wiltz Segura was posted to China to fly P-40s with the 23rd Fighter Group in August 1943.

Flying with the 75th Fighter Squadron became an Ace, his sixth and final victory coming on 22 September 1944. He was twice shot down by ground fire behind enemy lines but each time managed to evade capture by the Japanese.

Lieutenant Colonel DONALD ‘DON’ LOPEZ Assigned to the 23rd Fighter Group ‘Flying Tigers’ in 1943 he flew with 75th Fighter Squadron, scoring a victory in his first air combat. He completed his tour in 1945 having become an Ace with five aerial victories. He later became Deputy Director of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington.

FLYING TIGERS – THE STUF

THE LIMITED EDITION with FOUR signatures 275 signed & numbered prints THE COLLECTORS EDITION with SIX signatures 200 Collectors Edition 25 Artist Proofs 15 Remarques 10 Double Remarques THE TRIBUTE EDITION with THIRTEEN signature 10 Tribute Edition Overall Print Size: 32⅜" wide x 24" high

Image Size:25⅝"

A Giclée Edition may be issue

10 Tribute Edition with THIRTEEN signatures

FF OF LEGEND

by Robert Taylor

$320 / £200

s and companion print

$375 / £250 $525 £350 $1195 / £795 $1925 / £1285

es, companion print and an original drawing

$3100 / £2100

" wide x 16⅜" high

ed at a later date

Acid Free Permanent Paper

$3100 / £2100

The information supplied herewith is believed to be correct at time of going to press, but may be subject to change. Due to the limitations of commercial printing we cannot guarantee an exact color match to our fine art prints. E&OE. Contents copyright © The Military Gallery

An example of one of the original Tribute drawings by Robert Taylor; however drawings and matting size may vary. Approximate matted size is 20" wide x 18½" high

S TRIBUTE EDITION

THE SIGNATURES THE COLLECTORS EDITION AND REMARQUES With all the components of the Limited Edition each print in these six signature editions is issued with an exclusive matching-numbered companion drawing - TIGER ATTACK - personally signed by the artist and two highly respected Flying Tiger fighter pilots:

– TIGER ATTACK – THE COMPANION DRAWING Robert Taylor’s magnificent Masterwork drawing portrays the Flying Tigers engaging Japanese fighters high over the mountains of western China.

Overall Print Size: 22" wide x 16½" high

Lieutenant WAYNE G. ‘WHITEY’ JOHNSON Wayne Johnson, enlisted in the Air Corps on 8 December 1941, the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and trained as a fighter pilot. After completing training he was posted to China to join the 23rd Fighter Group - the ‘Flying Tigers’ - where he flew with the 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. He was one of the sixteen P-51 Mustang pilots who participated in the first strike against Japanese airfields near Shanghai, where they destroyed 97 planes on the ground without any losses.

Captain RONALD M. ‘RON’ PHILLIPS Drafted a few months after Pearl Harbor, Ron Phillips graduated from the Airplane & Engine School in Glendale, CA, and began training as a pilot. Commissioned in 1943 he was posted to the 23rd Fighter Group, Claire Chennault’s ‘Flying Tigers’ and part of the 14th Air Force. Arriving in Kweilin in the summer of 1944 he flew with the 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadronthe ‘Black Lightnings’- the fourth squadron of the 23th FG, equipped with P-51 Mustangs.