AIR COMBAT PAINTINGS VOL V
and companion print LITTLE
FRIENDS
by
ROBERT TAYLOR
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THE USAAF EDITION (Please note: the oliversart logo does not appear on the book or print) AIR COMBAT PAINTINGS VOL V and companion print LITTLE
FRIENDS This page shows the USAAF Edition Foreword by Air Commodore Peter Brothers CBE DSO DFC* Over 60 Glorious Colour Plates In 128 pages, Robert Taylor’s Volume V combines over 60 full colour plates illustrating a wonderful selection of the artist’s latest works. There is a 10 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 all the artist’s works. Come Inside the Artist’s Studio 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. Signed, Numbered, with Gold block Slipcase Each Limited edition book is case-bound with dark blue cloth, fitted with high gloss, full colour dust jacket, and each copy is signed and numbered by the artist. Each book is supplied inside a beautiful colour-coordinated slipcase finished with the artist’s signature blocked in gold leaf on the cover. A superb, quality, heirloom to treasure down the years. Certificate of Authenticity Each Limited edition book, with matching numbered limited edition print, is issued with the official Certificate of Authenticity inscribed with your unique collection number.
The USAAF collector editions issued with a matching numbered copy of
Robert Taylor's specially commissioned print LITTLE FRIENDS signed by
two distinguished American fighter and bomber aircrew
Little Friends by Robert Taylor 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 learnt their masters’ theory did not stand up when hey met Messerschmit 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 painting
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, 4 April, 1945. The ‘little friends’
brought her home that day. Every print of 'Little Friends' has been signed by:
Edition size If you have arrived at this page through a ‘backdoor’ you will have nowhere to go. Please click here to go to our HOME page www.oliversart.com
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