Tail End Charlie by Stan Stokes.

E.W. Bruce was a B-24 Liberator commander with the 704th Bomb Squadron, of the 446th Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force. His squadron was based at Bungay in East Anglia. On the morning of January 29, 1944 a hush falls over the bomb crews in Bruces squadron as the intelligence officer unveils the mission map for the days activities. An all out maximum force raid on Frankfurt. When formation positions are assigned the tail-end-charlie spot goes to Bruce piloting the Hula Wahine. Low clouds are expected at 5000 feet, and the bombing run will most likely be made with radar. Hopefully the weather will keep the Lufwaffes fighters on the ground. Bruces group is at the end of the formation, so he is the last plane of several hundred on the bomb run. The group increases air speed and altitude as it approaches Frankfurt. Within minutes of the target Bruces B-24 loses the supercharger on its No.2 engine. They begin to trail the formation and lose altitude. Suddenly the supercharger fails on the B-24s No 3 engine. Shifting to full power on the No 1 and No 4 engines, a condition they can maintain for only a few precious minutes, Bruces crew delivers its payload over the target. Seconds later the turbos give out on the two remaining engines, and Bruce puts his B24 into a fast power dive. He needs to get down to low altitude feet so his engines will function. As the B-24 hurtles towards the earth at 300MPH two Me-210 fighters close in fast. The Liberators right waist gunner, Sgt. McLaughlin opens fire and sets one of the 210s afire, while the other leaves the scene with a P-38 on his tail. The B-24 makes it safely to the relative comfort of cloud cover and a course is set back to England. After several minutes the Liberator leaves the protective cloud cover, and Bruce elects to fly at tree-top level to avoid detection. Sgt. Jones, the left waist gunner yells bandits at 8 oclock! All hell breaks loose for a few moments. Sgt. McGuire, the engineer and top gunner, is injured as well as both waist gunners during the attack. Bruce unsuccessfully attempts to radio for potential friendly fighter support. The B-24 flies on around the outskirts of Liege, and closer to home. Minutes later they have a bandit at 6 oclock. The tail gunners guns are not firing properly, and an Fw-190 opens up with everything its got. The Liberator flies on in a virtual sea of tracers. Time seems to slowdown, as Bruce sees a thatched roof, half-timber farmhouse dead ahead. The B-24 is dead center with the upstairs bedroom window, as the 190s tracers tear across the farmhouse roof. Bruce puts the B-24 into a steep bank, and misses the farmhouse by a few feet. The prop wash blows chickens and chicken feathers everywhere. For a moment it feels more like a pillow fight than a life and death struggle. The 190 breaks off to make another run. Bruce turns directly into him, and the surprised 190 pilot wings over and flies parallel again. On his next pass, Bruce banks steeply and rolls out fast. Its now a free for all - somebodys going to die. The 190 approaches again without firing. Possibly out of ammunition, the 190 appears to be attempting to ram the B-24. Bruces bombardier/nose gunner, Lt. Pretty, opens up on the Jerry. The B-24s bullets tear into the 190s engine, across the fuselage and into the cockpit. The 190 spins out of control and goes down. Bruce manages to get his bird back to England, and puts her down in a belly landing at Depling. The crew is awarded a Silver Star, a DFC, two Air Medals, and four Purple Hearts for the mission; a routine day for a Tail-End Charlie.

Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Size 22 inches x 18 inches (56cm x 46cm). Price £94.00

Signed by Cdr Ernest Bruce.

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ITEM CODE STK0104

Flying Into a War by Stan Stokes.

John Davy Crockett was trained as a navigator by Pan Am in mid-1941 because the USAAF did not have its navigator school in operation. Davy was assigned to the 36th Bomb Squadron of the 19th Bomb Group flying the new B-17C Flying Fortress. Davy found that most Air Corps pilots were used to doing their own navigating, so his job would be easy. Davy experienced a crash in a B-17 while training, but the crew walked away from the wreck. In late 1941 his crew was informed that they would be flying to Clark Field in the Philippines. On December they left Albuquerque and flew to Hamilton Field in California. They received a briefing on expected weather and left on the evening of December 6 for their first stop at Hickham Field, Oahu Hawaii. Flying into the darkness over the vast Pacific, the pilot for the first time in Crocketts career turned the navigation over to Davy. Realizing that the Hawaiian Islands were only small dots on the charts of the vast Pacific, and that his aircraft would have little fuel reserves left when it arrived, sent chills up Crocketts spine. As dawn broke Davy saw lots of islands where there were not suppose to be any. His panic subsided when he realized that they were only clouds. The pilot, Earl Cooper, came on the intercom at that moment to ask for an ETA. As Davy responded, the gunners in the back came on the intercom to report a large formation of aircraft about ten miles north of their position. They must be Navy aircraft. Minutes later they had descended to about 1200 feet when eight fighter aircraft came straight at them with their guns blazing. As the aircraft flew bye the flight engineer, Jesse Broyls, yelled out, Rising Sun ! The zeros reformed behind the unarmed B-17, and as Cooper dove the lumbering giant towards the wave tops, Crockett could hear the thump of bullets hitting his plane. The No. 2 engine was hit and Cooper shut it down. Rounding Diamond Head at about 300-feet the crew saw smoke and fire everywhere, and Japanese planes all over the sky. They passed over Hickham Field at about 1000-feet, realizing that this was no time and place for a landing. They turned towards Ford Island and passed directly over the USS Arizona minutes after the ship had exploded. Crocketts B-17 now became a target for nervous anti-aircraft gunners on the ground, and the B-17 had its No. 4 engine shot out. Cooper prepared the crew to bail out, but he then saw an opportunity to bring the big bird into Wheeler Field. He came straight in and belly-landed the B-17 with almost no fuel left. The plane slid to a stop on the turf just short of a group of P-40s. The entire crew got out of the B-17 and ran for cover in a patch of nearby woods. The B-17s on the flight from the mainland were scattered all over the island, with most of them seriously damaged. Fortunately, there were only two casualties, a flight surgeon who was killed and a bombardier who was injured when they were strafed while running from their plane. Crockett would survive a third crash in another B-17 on December 25th when he would spend six days in a life raft.

Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00

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Signed by John Davy Crockett, navigator of the B-17.

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 45 inches x 30 inches (114cm x 76cm). Price £624.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £484.00

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ITEM CODE STK0041

The Dragon and his Tail by Stan Stokes.

The only flyable B-24 Liberator aircraft in the world, serial no. 44-44052 is the aircraft owned and operated by the Collings Foundation, and named after The Dragon and His Tail, a lavishly decorated B-24 that flew in the Pacific during WW II. The B-24 did not get the attention or fame of the B-17 either during or after the War. With longer range and bigger bomb loads than the B-17 the B-24s were generally based far from London. As a result, most war correspondents looked for stories at the B-17 fields and avoided the long treks to the B-24 fields. The B-17 also looked more modern and more powerful, although this was not an accurate assessment. The B-24 that has been restored by the Collings Foundation was built in August 1944 by Consolidated Aircraft at the companys huge Ft. Worth assembly plant. Originally delivered to the USAAF the aircraft was shortly transferred to the Royal Air Force. Under British Flag the plane saw combat service in the Pacific in operations ranging from anti-shipping to bombing, to re-supply. At Wars end she was abandoned to an aircraft graveyard in Khanpur, India. In 1948 the aircraft was restored by the Indian Air Force and it saw service until 1968. She sat abandoned in India until 1981 when famed British aircraft collector, Doug Arnold, purchased her and had her disassembled for shipment back to England. She was sold in 1984 in “as is” condition to the Collings Foundation and was returned to America in 1984. Restoration commenced in 1985 with General Dynamics acting as a major sponsor of the restoration. More than 420,000 rivets were replaced during the restoration that involved rebuilding more than 80% of the aircraft’s parts. The completed B-24 was originally named “All American” in honor of an Army Air Force B-24 of the same name. The original All American shot down fourteen enemy fighters in a raid over Germany on July 25, 1944. That aircraft was lost on a combat mission when it was shot down over Yugoslavia in October of 1944. In 1998 the Collings Foundation renamed its B-24 The Dragon and its Tail to honor an aircraft than served with the 64th Bomb Squadron of the 43rd Bomb Group in the Pacific. The original Dragon survived the War, and was the last B-24 scrapped in Arizona. In Stan Stokes marvelous painting the original Dragon is depicted during a typical anti-shipping mission.

Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee paper prints. Size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Price £109.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 45 inches x 30 inches (114cm x 76cm). Price £624.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £484.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £294.00

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ITEM CODE STK0085

Hobo Queens by Stan Stokes.

The B-32 Dominator was produced by Consolidated Aircraft in parallel with Boeings development of the B-29 Superfortress. While both of these long-range heavy strategic bomber development programs encountered some difficulties, the B-29 was completed sooner, and was ordered in far larger quantities than the B-32. About one hundred Dominators were ultimately built and the aircraft saw some service very late in WW II. Powered by the same engines as the B-29, the B-32 had a distinctive very tall stabilizer. Four B-32s from the 386th BS of the 312th BG based at Yontan, Okinawa were given a three-day photoreconnaissance mission near the end of the War. On the third day of the mission, August 18, 1945, two aircraft were forced to turn back and only two aircraft, the Hobo Queen and the Hobo Queen II made it to Japan. The mission involved photographing an area north and east of Tokyo. The aircraft were unescorted, as the War was for all practical purposes over. As the two aircraft prepared to head home they were jumped by a large group of Japanese fighters including Imperial Navy A6M2 Zeros and Army Ki44 Tojos. The first attacks occurred at 1:30 PM while the aircraft were at 20,000 feet. The enemy planes made ten passes on the Hobo Queen II with little or no damage. About twenty-five passes were made at the Hobo Queen, which was under the command of Lt. John R. Anderson. Seven passes were made at the tail of the B-32 and one of the attackers blew-up. One fighter pass was made at the ball turret from below with no success, and another six were made at the forward upper turret. About six more were made at the nose turret position, and several more at the upper rear turret. Another enemy fighter blew up, and a third was seen going down smoking. The pilots went to full mix and full throttle and power-dived the B-32 from 20,000 to 10,000 feet. The Hobo Queen absorbed a lot of damage during these attacks. The radioman got the Hobo Queen II to regroup with the badly damaged Hobo Queen to provide some cover. Three men were wounded including Sgt. Anthony J. Marchione, SSgt. Joseph M. Lacharite, and Sgt. John T. Houston. Marchione and Lacharite were at the camera hatch at the rear of the aircraft when that section of the plane was riddled. Both men were hit. Despite his own wounds, SSgt. Lacharite began administering first aid to Marchione, but a second fighter pass wounded Marchione again. Despite the valiant efforts of his crewmates to keep him alive, Marchione passed away at 2:00PM. Sgt. Marchione may have been the last USAAF combat casualty of the War. SSgt. Chevalier administered first aid to SSgt. Lacharite during the long ride home. Despite being unable to bank his aircraft due a feathered prop, Lt. Anderson got the Hobo Queen down successfully.

Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00

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Signed by S/Sgt Frederick C Chevalier, B-32 Dominator crewman of the Hobo Queen.

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Limited edition of 100 giclee paper prints. Size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Price £109.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 45 inches x 30 inches (114cm x 76cm). Price £624.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £484.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £294.00

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ITEM CODE STK0089

Top Cover by Stan Stokes.

The painting depicts a P-51D Mustang (flown by William Bailey of the 353rd Fighter Group) flying escort for B-17 Flying Fortresses of the U.S. Armys Eighth Air Force. The scene is over the French countryside during late 1944, and several more hours of high altitude flying lies ahead of these pilots before the days work is over. Bombing played a major role in the Allies victory in Europe. The RAF relied primarily on night bombing which was also called strategic bombing. Day time bombing was a necessity for hitting specific targets such as munition plants, dams, and submarine pens. The Mighty Eighth took on responsibility for most of the day time bombing missions. The hazards and discomforts of high altitude flying, the perils of enemy flak batteries, and the threat of enemy fighters made these missions exceedingly dangerous until only very late in the war. Fighter escort was critically important in improving the odds of a successful mission, and the P-51 became arguably the premier aircraft for providing that cover. The P-51 is generally acknowledged as Americas top fighter plane of World War II. The first Mustangs were ordered by the British Government in 1940. The USAAF was initially reluctant to order the Mustang, having already committed itself to the P-38 Lightning, the P-47 Thunderbolt, the P-40 Warhawk, and the P-39 Airacobra. In 1944 an improved version of the Mustang, the D, came off North American Aviations assembly line in California. It was dramatically altered from earlier versions, as major changes in fuselage design were incorporated to improve pilot visibility. The P-51D was powered by a Packard-built, Rolls Royce-designed, liquid cooled V-12 engine which generated 1,612 HP. The Mustang had a top speed of 436 MPH, a range of 949 miles, and an operational ceiling in excess of 42,000 feet. Nearly 8,000 P-51Ds were produced. In service with the USAAF Mustangs flew in excess of 200,000 missions, and were credited with destroying nearly 5,000 enemy aircraft. The Mustang was unique in its ability to provide long range fighter escort, and this greatly enhanced the effectiveness of Allied bombing missions. On returning from their escort missions Mustangs would generally split into squadrons and take varying routes home looking for targets of opportunity.

Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00

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Signed by Colonel William B Bailey - pilot of the Double Trouble Two.Signed limited edition of 225 prints. Size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm). Price £75.00

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ITEM CODE STK0034

Raising Havoc by Stan Stokes.

In 1936, under the supervision of Jack Northrop and Ed Heinemann, Douglas Aircraft began work on a new twin-engine light attack/observation aircraft designated the Model 7A. Powered by two R985 Wasp radials mounted in wing nacelles, the A-20 also utilized a tricycle landing gear configuration. The aircrafts fuselage was quite narrow and there was room for only 1 pilot and 1 crewmember. As the project proceeded it became clear that the 7A was not going to meet the Armys objectives. In early 1938, Northrop left Douglas to form his own company, and Heinemann began work on upgrading their design. One interesting feature was the use of interchangeable nose sections. A clear nose could be fitted with a bombardiers compartment, or alternatively a solid nose section could be fitted with an impressive total of 8 machine guns. More powerful Pratt and Whitney radials were incorporated into the design. Now designated the DB-7 by Douglas, a prototype aircraft was completed by October 1938. The new aircraft proved very fast, highly maneuverable, and capable of carrying a 2000 pound bomb load. While impressed with the aircrafts specs, the Army placed no immediate orders. The French, however, were impressed with this aircraft, and anxious to match the build-up of the Luftwaffe, they ordered more than 270 aircraft. The Havoc first saw combat in 1939 flying with the French Air Forces during the Battle of France. The French had received about 64 aircraft, and following the fall of France a decision was made to divert the balance of the French order to the RAF. By mid-1939 the Army placed an initial order for 63 A-20s. The A-20B variant was built in significant numbers with most being sent to Russia. (Almost 50% of the A-20s produced during the War were sent to Russia where they were utilized in many combat roles, including torpedo bombing.) The most significant variant was the G model with nearly 3000 produced. The G variant was produced with a solid nose section with lots of firepower. Many of the G models were fitted with an electrically driven Martin gun turret. More fuel tank capacity was added and with twin 1600-HP radials the A-20Gs were capable of a range in excess of 1000 miles, and could attain top speeds in excess of 340-MPH. The maximum bomb load was increased to 4000 pounds. The A-20 was the ideal low-level attack bomber. With its high speed, excellent maneuverability, and heavy firepower, Havocs were well suited for pinpoint bombing attacks on airfields, ammo dumps, etc. With their incredible forward firing power a flight of A-20s could easily overwhelm shipboard anti-aircraft guns. A-20s saw a lot of service in the Pacific. The Allied campaign of slowly retaking key islands was aided by the capabilities of the Havoc. Attacks on Japanese airfields with the A-20 were made with disastrous consequences to the Japanese, and there are several instances where flights of A-20s virtually wiped out Japanese ship convoys. Some A-20s were modified into night fighters (designated P-70) prior to the use of P-61 Black Widows. In Stan Stokes painting an A-20 in service with the 386th Bomb Squadron of the 312th Bomb Group rips up a Japanese airfield in Dutch New Guinea.

Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00

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ITEM CODE STK0094

Fortress Under Siege by Stan Stokes.

In the mid-1930s engineers at Boeing suggested the possibility of designing a modern long-range monoplane bomber to the U.S. Army Air Corps. In 1934 the USAAC issued Circular 35-26 that outlined specifications for a new bomber that was to have a minimum payload of 2000 pounds, a cruising speed in excess of 200-MPH, and a range of at least 2000 miles. Boeing produced a prototype at its own expense, the model 299, which first flew in July of 1935. The 299 was a long-range bomber based largely on the Model 247 airliner. The Model 299 had several advanced features including an all-metal wing, an enclosed cockpit, retractable landing gear, a fully enclosed bomb bay with electrically operated doors, and cowled engines. With gun blisters glistening everywhere, a newsman covering the unveiling coined the term Flying Fortress to describe the new aircraft. After a few initial test flights the 299 flew off to Wright Field setting a speed record with an average speed of 232-mph. At Wright Field the 299 bettered its competition in almost all respects. However, an unfortunate crash of the prototype in October of 1935 resulted in the Army awarding its primary production contract to Douglas Aircraft for its DB-1 (B-18.) The Army did order 13 test models of the 299 in January 1936, and designated the new plane the Y1B-17. Early work on the B-17 was plagued by many difficulties, including the crash of the first Y1B-17 on its third flight, and nearly bankrupted the Company. Minor quantities of the B-17B, B-17C, and B-17D variants were built, and about 100 of these aircraft were in service at the time Pearl Harbor was attacked. In fact a number of unarmed B-17s flew into the War at the time of the Japanese attack. The German Blitzkrieg in Europe resulted in accelerated aircraft production in America. The B-17E was the first truly heavily armed variant and made its initial flight in September of 1941. B-17Es cost $298,000 each and more than 500 were delivered. The B-17F and B-17G were the truly mass-produced wartime versions of the Flying Fortress. More than 3,400 B-17Fs and more than 8,600 B-17Gs would be produced. The American daylight strategic bombing campaign against Germany was a major factor in the Allies winning the War in Europe. This campaign was largely flown by B-17 Flying Fortresses (12,677 built) and B-24 Liberators (18,188 built.) The B-17 bases were closer to London than those of the B-24, so B-17s received a disproportionate share of wartime publicity. The first mission in Europe with the B-17 was an Eighth Air Force flight of 12 B-17Es on August 12, 1942. Thousands more missions, with as many as 1000 aircraft on a single mission would follow over the next 2 ½ years, virtually decimating all German war making facilities and plants. The B-17 could take a lot of damage and keep on flying, and it was loved by the crews for bringing them home despite extensive battle damage. Following WW II, B-17s would see some action in Korea, and in the 1948 Israel War. There are only 14 flyable B-17s in operation today and a total of 43 complete airframes.

Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee paper prints. Size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Price £109.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 45 inches x 30 inches (114cm x 76cm). Price £624.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £484.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £294.00

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ITEM CODE STK0087

Nine-o-Nine by Stan Stokes.

One of only fourteen B-17s that still fly, the Collings Foundation is the proud owner and operator of B-17G serial no. 44-83575. This aircraft was built on April 7, 1945 in Long Beach, CA by Douglas Aircraft under license from Boeing. She served as part of the Air/Sea 1st Rescue Squadron and in the Air Transport Service. She was subject to three separate nuclear explosions. After a thirteen-year cool down period the aircraft was sold for scrap. The Aircraft Specialties Company began a restoration of the aircraft. Named Yucca Lady the aircrafts skin was fabricated and replaced on site; engines and props were stripped, cleaned, repaired and tested. For the next twenty years 44-83575 served without incident as a fire bomber dropping water and borate on wild fires throughout the West. In 1986 the Collings Foundation of Stow Massachusetts purchased the aircraft and had her restored to her wartime configuration by Tom Reilly Vintage Aircraft. She was considered one of the finest B-17 restorations and has received numerous awards. In 1987 at an airshow at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, the aircraft was struck by a severe cross wind while landing. This resulted in a severe non-fatality accident, that necessitated another substantial restoration. With the support of many individuals and corporations, and support from many folks from Beaver Falls 44-83575 rose again like a Phoenix. The aircraft is named in honor of Nine-O-Nine, a B-17 that flew 140 successful combat missions with the 323rd Squadron of the 91st Bomb Group. The original Nine-O-Nine did not lose a crewman, and did not have to abort a single mission. This amazing record was attained between February 1944 and April 1945. During this time the Nine-O-Nine participated in eighteen raids on Berlin and flew an amazing 1129 combat hours. She underwent 21 different engine changes, 4 wing replacements, and fifteen main gas tank replacements due largely to heavy damage from flak. The Nine-O-Nine had six hundred patches in her fuselage and wings when the War ended in Europe. She was flown home, but later succumbed to the scrappers guillotine. In Stan Stokes highly detailed painting, that is a tribute to both the original Nine-O-Nine, and her present namesake flown by the Collings Foundation, the original Nine-O-Nine is readied for another mission to Berlin at its airfield in England in 1945.

Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee paper prints. Size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Price £109.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 45 inches x 30 inches (114cm x 76cm). Price £624.00

Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer

Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £484.00

Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer

Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £294.00

Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer

ITEM CODE STK0105

No Trains Today by Stan Stokes.

The A-26 Invader was one of the most effective attack bombers to see action late in the War, and the aircraft, when fitted with eight .5 caliber machine guns in its nose, was an incredibly effective ground or surface ship attack aircraft. Douglas Aircraft developed the aircraft. The team of Edward Heinemann and Jack Northrop worked on the initial design of what would become the A-20 Havoc. Northrop then left Douglas to form his own company. Heinemenn and project engineer Robert Donovan began work on the A-26 project in 1941. It would incorporate several of the A-20s features yet it would be as advanced as possible with many state-of-the-art concepts. A mid-mounted, laminar-flow airfoil wing was utilized with double slotted electrically controlled flaps. Defensive armament was limited to remotely controlled dorsal and ventral turrets both under the control of a gunner located in the rear of the fuselage. Approval to develop prototypes was received from the Army in June of 1941. Three were built at Douglas El Segundo, California plant and were designated the XA-26. Heinemanns design team had built in a lot of flexibility into the A-26s design. The aircraft could be easily modified to vary its role. A three-man attack bomber version with a Plexiglas nose could be modified into a two-man night fighter version with radar in the nose and four ventral-mounted 20mm cannons, or modified once again into a ground attack aircraft with a variety of nose-mounted armaments. Work on the three prototypes was slowed by the War, but the aircraft was ready to go into production by mid-1942. Screw-ups within the Army and a lack of manufacturing equipment delayed the start of production until 1943. The Army decided to cancel the night fighter version of the A-26 and proceed with production of both a bomber and ground attack versions of the aircraft that would be named the Invader. The A-26B with the nose-mounted armament generally was fitted with either six or eight machine guns. The B variant could carry a 6,000-pound bomb load powered by its twin 2000-HP Pratt and Whitney R-2800-27 engines. With a maximum speed of 322-MPH the aircraft had a service ceiling of 25,000 feet and a maximum range of approximately 3000 miles. The A-26C variant was the glass nosed bomber version. In total 1,355 B versions were built along with 1,336 C versions. After the War the A-26s designation changed to the B-26 – leading to some confusion with the Martin-built B-26. In Stan Stokes painting entitled No Trains Today, a pair of A-26Bs rip into an Axis freight train behind enemy lines in 1945. The A-26 would go on to serve in the Korean War and several of these splendid aircraft remain air-worthy to this day.

Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee paper prints. Size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Price £109.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 45 inches x 30 inches (114cm x 76cm). Price £624.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £484.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £294.00

Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer

ITEM CODE STK0101

Mauled by a Marauder by Stan Stokes.

The B-26 Marauder, dubbed the widow maker by its detractors, was developed by the Glen L. Martin Company beginning in 1939. The first B-26 was completed in November of 1940. The early models had very high wing loading, and were tricky to fly. Added armament increased weight even further leading to an alarming rate of accidents during training. Increasing engine power, wingspan and rudder height solved many of the problems. The B-26 was capable of speeds in excess of 320-MPH, and with a normal crew compliment of six and a bomb load of 4,000 pounds the aircraft, had a range in excess of 1100 miles. Despite the controversy surrounding the B-26, the aircraft served admirably during WW II, and in fact had the lowest loss ratio of any American aircraft. The 386th Bomb Group was organized on December 1, 1942 under the command of Lt. Col. Lester J. Maitland. The 386th, known as The Crusaders, trained at MacDill Field near Tampa Florida. The accident rate during training of earlier B-26 units was alarmingly high, leading to the phrase one a day in Tampa Bay. With improved training methods for both flight and maintenance crews, and with improvements to the B-26s engines and electrical systems, the accident rate began to decline, and the 386th attained 10,000 flight hours of training without an accident. The Crusaders went to Lake Charles, Louisiana for the second phase of their training. On April 20, 1943 the Crusaders completed their training and crews were dispatched to either Selfridge Field in Michigan or the Martin plant in Omaha to pick-up their B-26Bs and Cs for the long flight to England. The 386th had an incredible combat record, flying 409 combat missions against Axis targets such as bridges, railroad yards, and other tactical targets. Most bombing missions were done at an altitude of 10,000-13,000 feet. On 11/29/43 the Crusaders flew a mission which was very memorable for the crew of Sexation. As depicted in Stan Stokes painting, appropriately entitled Mauled by Marauders, the Sexation was attacked by several German Fw-190 and Bf-109 fighters. With the loss of one engine, significant wing damage, and hydraulic system failure, Sexation was a sitting duck. However, Bill Norris, the tail gunner on the B-26, kept the fighters at bay, shooting down 3 enemy fighters and one probable on the mission. This made Norris the top gun of the 386th. The crew was able to nurse the aircraft back to England where they made a belly landing. Both Norris and the aircrafts commander, Pete LaFramboise, received the Silver Star for this mission. This print is dedicated to the memory of Col. Maitland and the 191 Crusaders who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country during WW II.

Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00

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Signed limited edition of 225 prints. Size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm). Price £94.00

Signed by Tail Gunner William Norris.

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Limited edition of 100 giclee paper prints. Size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Price £109.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 45 inches x 30 inches (114cm x 76cm). Price £624.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £484.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £294.00

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ITEM CODE STK0092

Portrait of a Queen by Stan Stokes.

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is the subject of Stans painting. B-17s were produced in large numbers and along with the B-24 Liberator carried out the brunt of the Eighth Air Forces long range strategic daylight bombing campaign. These missions were very dangerous, especially early in the War when long range fighter escort was unavailable. The sacrifice made by these bomber crews hastened the end of the War.

Limited edition of 100 artist proofs. Print size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £94.00

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ITEM CODE STK0096

Liberators by Stan Stokes.

In 1938 Consolidated Aircraft was asked by the USAAC to join in production of Americas only long range 4-engine bomber, the Boeing B-17. However, Mack Laddon, the companys Chief design engineer, convinced the Army that an alternative design, incorporating the high aspect ratio wing design of David Davis, would result in a long range heavy bomber superior to the Boeing B-17. The Army Air Corps contracted with Consolidated to build seven prototypes and these were delivered in 1940 for service trials. Consolidated Aircraft had substantial experience in producing long range flying boats, most notable of which was the PBY Catalina. The B-24 incorporated the distinctive twin tailed design of Consolidateds flying boats, and relative to the older but sleeker B-17 was quite an ugly duckling. Despite its deceiving appearance, the B-24 was produced in greater numbers (18,000) than any other American aircraft during WW II, and proved through experience to be one of the most versatile of all Allied aircraft. Nicknamed the Liberator by the British, the B-24 served in many roles. In addition to its very effective use as a strategic bomber, the aircraft proved very successful in anti-submarine activities, and as a long-haul transport for troops, fuel and supplies. The Liberator was the only American aircraft capable of non-stop transatlantic crossings during the war. First utilized by the French and British, the B-24 is credited for helping the Allies win the war in the Atlantic, where the aircrafts incredible range was an important asset. Germanys 1,200 U-Boats sank over 2,600 Allied ships during the War, and in 1942 and 1943 losses were nearly unsustainable. Until the Liberators arrived, Allied convoys lacked air cover for a 300 mile stretch of the Atlantic, and it was in this area that wolfpacks of U-Boats took a devastating toll. The Liberator was utilized in virtually all theaters of operation during the war. The B-24 was produced in several variants, of which the B-24D was the first to be mass produced. The B-24D was powered by four 1200 HP Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasp 14-cylinder radial engines which incorporated two-stage superchargers. The aircraft had a maximum speed of 303 MPH, and a range of 2,850 miles. Most Liberators were manned by a crew of nine or ten, and typical armament consisted of ten machine guns. With an official bomb capacity of 8,830 pounds the B-24D could pack quite a wallop. In his painting, artist Stan Stokes captures a pair of Liberators returning to base at dusk after a lengthy submarine patrol mission over the Atlantic in 1942.

Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00

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ITEM CODE STK0091

Too Little Too Late by Stan Stokes.

Heinz Bar joined JG 51 in 1939 as a non-officer pilot. By August of 1940 he had become the highest scoring non-officer pilot in the Luftwaffe. Although shot down once during the Battle of Britain, Bar survived, and was later transferred to the Eastern Front. He received his commission and by the end of 1941 had chalked up 91 victories. By mid-1942, with 113 victories, he was promoted to Hauptman and made Group Commander of I/JG 77. Flying out of Sicily he participated in the siege of Malta, and later was shifted to North Africa where he obtained another 61 victories. With his health suffering, Heinz was reassigned to Germany, where he flew interception missions against the steady onslaught of Eighth Air Force bombers. With his victory total at 202, Bar was put in command of JG 3 and later III/EJG2, a unit equipped with the Me-262 jet fighter. He obtained 16 victories in March and April of 1945 while piloting the 262, making him the top jet ace of WW II. His record for victories in a jet stands until this day, having been equaled in Korea by Capt. Joseph McConnell. Bars final victory count of 220 made him the eighth highest scoring ace of all time. He was killed after the War in a flying accident. The Messerschmitt Me-262 Swallow, a masterpiece of engineering, was the first operational mass-produced jet to see service. Prototype testing of the airframe commenced in 1941 utilizing a piston engine. General Adolf Galland, who was in charge of the German Fighter Forces at that time, pressured both Goring and Hitler to accelerate the Me-262, and stress its use as a fighter to defend Germany from Allied bombers. Hitler, however, envisioned the 262 as the aircraft which might allow him to inflict punishment on Britain. About 1400 Swallows were produced, but fortunately for the Allies, only about 300 saw combat duty. While the original plans for the 262 presumed the use of BMW jet engines, production Swallows were ultimately equipped with Jumo 004B turbojet engines. The wing design of the 262 necessitated the unique triangular hull section of the fuselage, giving the aircraft a shark-like appearance. With an 18 degree swept wing, the 262 was capable of Mach .86. The 262 was totally ineffective in a turning duel with Allied fighters, and was also vulnerable to attack during take off and landings. The landing gear was also suspect, and many 262s were destroyed or damaged due to landing gear failure. Despite its sleek jet-age appearance, the 262 was roughly manufactured, because Germany had lost access to its normal aircraft assembly plants. In spite of these drawbacks the 262 was effective. For example, on April 7, 1945 a force of sixty 262s took on a large force of Allied bombers with escort fighters. Armed with their four nose-mounted cannons, and underwing rockets the Swallows succeeded in downing or damaging 25 Allied B-17s on that single mission. While it is unlikely that the outcome of the War could have been altered by an earlier introduction or greater production totals for this aircraft, it is clear to many historians that the duration of the War might have been drastically lengthened if the Me-262 had not been too little too late.

Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee paper prints. Size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Price £109.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 45 inches x 30 inches (114cm x 76cm). Price £624.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £484.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm) . Price £294.00

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ITEM CODE STK0100

Yamamotos Last Flight by Stan Stokes.

On April 18, 1943, in one of the more interesting, daring, and ultimately controversial missions of WW II, a flight of P-38s under the command of Major John Mitchell, intercepted and destroyed the aircraft carrying Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, Commander in Chief of the Japanese Combined Fleet, and the mastermind of the attack on Pearl Harbor. American code breakers had intercepted and translated a message indicating that Adm. Yamamoto would fly from Rabaul to an airfield on the southern tip of Bouganville on the morning of April 18, 1943. Because of the great distances to be covered during this intercept mission the P-38s would have very limited time over the rendezvous area. Fortunately for the Army Air Force pilots, Yamamoto was noted for his punctuality, and if he departed Rabaul on time the mission might just work. Major Mitchell led his flight of 16 P-38s to the rendezvous, with twelve of his fighters acting as high cover to fend off escorting fighters, while four pilots were designated as the killer flight by Mitchell and were to destroy the Mitsubishi Betty which would be carrying the Admiral. Two betty bombers and six Zero fighters were encountered. Both Bettys were downed by the killer flight and one of the four P-38s in the killer flight was lost. Unfortunately, this marvelous mission has also been surrounded by more than its share of controversy. One of the three surviving pilots of the killer flight was Thomas Lamphier. Lamphier claimed that only he fired the fatal shots into Yamamotos Betty. In 1972 the Air Force reviewed all relevant information surrounding the flight, including testimony from a surviving Japanese fighter pilot on the mission and a surviving passenger on the second Betty. The official Air Force decision in 1972 was that both Lamphier and his wingman Rex Barber should share equal credit. In March of 1985 another Victory Credit Board of Review was convened, and it too concluded that the victory should be shared. Later that year new evidence was put forward in the form of a taped interview with one of the surviving Zero pilots, Kenji Yanagiya. Yanagiyas testimony clearly supported the Rex Barber account of the mission and not that of Lamphier. Lamphier, who died in 1987, continued to be outspoken until his death in his claims. In 1993, The noted aviation historian, Carroll Glines published an excellent book entitled Attack on Yamamoto. The bulk of the evidence presented in Glines book supported the conclusion that only Rex Barber probably deserves credit for the victory. More recently a board assembled by the American Fighter Aces Association met and reviewed all available facts. That Board decided that only Rex Barber deserves the official credit for downing Yamamoto. Despite all this unfortunate controversy one cannot deny that the mission to intercept Yamamoto was the longest successful mission of its type in WWII. Yamamotos death boosted morale in the United States, shocked the Japanese public, and was ultimately symbolic of the turn around in the War in the Pacific, which began at Midway in 1942, and gathered momentum in 1943.

Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00

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Signed limited edition of 225 prints. Size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm). Price £124.00

Signed by USAAF P-38 Ace Rex Barber (deceased).

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Limited edition of 100 giclee paper prints. Size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Price £109.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 45 inches x 30 inches (114cm x 76cm). Price £624.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £484.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £294.00

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ITEM CODE STK0038

Pacific Dolls by Stan Stokes.

The Boeing B-29 Superfortress was undoubtedly the best all-around strategic bomber of WW 11. Because of its fairly late deployment in the War, fewer (3,970) Superfortesses were built than any other U.S. strategic bomber. Because of its large payload, and incredible range, a decision was made to utilize the B-29 exclusively in the Pacific and production models began to arrive in India and China in the spring of 1944. By mid 1945 the B-29 was being operated from bases established in the Mariana Islands, and devastating bombing raids were being flown against Japan on a regular basis. The Texas Doll was a Saipan-based B29 of the 497th Bomb Group, which was under the command of Col. Edward Cutler in 1944 & 1945. In a soon to be published book entitled Flying the Red Carpet, Lt. Col. Don Julin, Cutlers navigator, chronicles in both words and photographs his experiences flying out of Saipan in 1945. The Texas Doll participated in the massive fire bombing raid on Tokyo on March 10, 1945. General Lemay insisted on an all-out low level attack and the Doll was stripped of armor plate and left two of its gunners at home for that mission. Follow-up raids on Nagoya, Osaka, and Kobe followed within days, and it was clear from that point on that Imperial Japans days were numbered. These missions were not without risk. On his first mission with the Doll, Julin recounts how the bomb bay was hit with a 20mm round from a Japanese twin-engine fighter. The concussion from this shell distorted the shape of one of the Dolls fuel tanks, leading to some harrowing fuel shortages on future flights. On Julins first mission from Saipan his B-29 depressurized over Japan. One of the crew members flak jacket, oxygen mask, and shirt were stripped from him, and the pilot was forced to make a emergency dive to 10,000 feet. Returning to Saipan on another mission Cutler and his crewmates watched a B-29 ditch 100 miles short of making it back. In June of 1945 the Dolls crew witnessed two B-29s collide at only 1000 feet in altitude. On April 1, 1945 Cutlers crew watched in terror as the aircraft just ahead of them crashed into the Pacific and exploded upon takeoff. On March 25, 1945 Cutler and his crew flew their final mission with the Doll painted on the nose of their aircraft. It appears that a number of people back at the Pentagon were giving in to pressure, and all the voluptuous nose art which was so inspirational to the crews which risked their lives on each mission, was now deemed inappropriate. In his nostalgic painting entitled Pacific Dolls, award-winning aviation artist Stan Stokes depicts the Texas Doll at Salpan following a mission in March of 1945. This painting is dedicated to all the courageous crews which both flew and serviced all those Pacific Dolls during the War, and is a tribute to this great aircraft which explicitly helped America win the War in the Pacific.

Signed limited edition of 950 prints, signed by all five officers of the Texas Doll - a B-29 which flew out of Saipan in 1944/45, and the artist. Size 26 inches x 22 inches (66cm x 56cm). Price £75.00

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ITEM CODE STK0095

Rubys Fortress by Stan Stokes.

The B-17 Flying Fortress, was one of the most acclaimed aircraft of WW II. It is also one of those uniquely popular warbirds which has attracted more than its fair share of romance and nostalgia over the years. Nearly 13,000 of these aircraft were produced. The origins of the B-17 dates to 1934 when the Boeing company was authorized to build a prototype of a long-range, metal, monoplane, medium bomber which was designated Model 299. During the first public exposure of the prototype a reporter from the Seattle Daily Times coined the term flying fortress in his description of the new sleek, heavily armed aircraft. Boeings public relations department liked this reference, and shortly thereafter the aircraft became known as the Flying Fortress. Boeing received an initial order for 13 aircraft, designated the YB-17, and these aircraft were delivered in 1937. Later that year Boeing obtained orders for several enhanced models, which were designated B-17Bs. These aircraft had supercharged engines permitting higher ceilings, redesigned nose sections, hydraulic brakes, and larger rudders. With the outbreak of WWII the first Flying Fortresses were used by the RAF. Early experience by the RAF underscored the need for increased defensive firepower. Boeing responded by redesigning the entire rear fuselage on the aircraft, and incorporating a rear gun and a remotely controlled under belly turret gun. The resulting B-17E was only slightly slower than its predecessor at 317 MPH, and in mid-1942 the USAAF began moving B-17 units to the United Kingdom. These were primarily B-17Fs. Flying Fortresses had the ability to take a lot of punishment. The aircrafts flying characteristics were excellent, and it was not unusual for B-17s to return to base with large sections of wing surface or tail fin missing. The first B-17G models began to see action late in 1943, and were, along with the B-24 Liberators, carried the brunt of the USAAF daylight bombing campaign against targets of strategic significance. Such missions were exceedingly dangerous until only very late in the War. Luftwaffe pilots learned to attack B-17s head-on from the 12 oclock position, as this was the most vulnerable area to attack, and one in which crew injury was the most likely. Aviation artist Stan Stokes, in his painting entitled Rubys Fortress, shows a B-17G of the 8th Air Forces 385th Bomber Group over Germany in 1945. The aircraft in the foreground was named for Cpl. Ruby Newell of Long Beach, California. Ms. Newell was voted the most attractive WAC in England in 1944. The nose art painted by Cpl. Ploss was a fitting tribute, and such nose art was a great morale booster for bomber crews and ground support staff. Many B-17s were named after women, appropriate considering the fact that during wartime the majority of the people which built these planes were women.

Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00

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Signed limited edition of 225 prints. Size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm). Price £75.00

Signed by USAF Gen Carl Peterson - B-17 Pilot.

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Limited edition of 100 giclee paper prints. Size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Price £109.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 45 inches x 30 inches (114cm x 76cm). Price £624.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £484.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £294.00

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ITEM CODE STK0097

Triple Dates With Destiny by Stan Stokes.

Chuck Older was born in California in 1914. He graduated from UCLA and entered the U.S. Marine Corps. in 1940. He earned his wings as an aviation cadet, and was assigned to VNIF-1. In mid-1941, anxious to see some action, Chuck resigned his USNIC commission and joined Claire Chennaults American Volunteer Group. He was assigned to the 3rd Pursuit Squadron Hells Angels and experienced his first combat in December of 1941. In the first two combat missions he flew on December 23 and December 25, 1941, Older would be credited with downing five Japanese aircraft becoming one of the first two AVG aces. He bagged four more enemy aircraft prior to mid-1942 when the AVG was disbanded. In mid-1942 Older returned to the States and accepted a commission with the USAAF. He commanded a P-38 squadron for a time, and in 1944, having been promoted to Major, he was sent back to China to serve once again with General Claire Chennault, this time with the 14th Air Force. Chuck served as Deputy Commander and Group Operations Officer for the 23rd Fighter Group. Flying P-5 Is for the first time, he downed as Oscar over Yochow on July 28, 1944. Promoted to Lt. Colonel, Older would down four more aircraft in December including three more Oscars and a Lilly. In January of 1945, Older bagged three different types of enemy aircraft on a single mission, including a Sonia, a Betty, and a Tess on the outskirts of Shanghai. His attack on the Sonia is depicted in Stan Stokes painting entitled Triple Dates With Destiny. Some artistic license has been utilized in the depiction. The artist has chosen to depict in the scene Olders regular aircraft, rather than the borrowed one he actually flew on the mission. Chucks regular mount had actually been destroyed the day before during a ground attack . Later, Older would lead the first attack on Shanghai with a flight of sixteen Mustangs. This successful mission caught the Japanese by surprise, and resulted in the destruction of more than seventy aircraft on the ground and five more in the air. Following the War, with a total of 18.25 aerial victories, Older left the Air Force. He earned a Law Degree from the University of Southern California, and entered the law profession. In 1952 he was recalled for the Korean War, and served with the 352nd Bomb Group based in Japan. He returned home and practiced law for fifteen years before Governor Ronald Reagan appointed him to the bench, as a Judge of the Superior Court in Los Angeles. Judge Older served the court for twenty years hearing both criminal and civil cases. He presided over the highly publicized Charles Manson murder case. Chuck retired from the bench in 1987 and continues to live in Los Angeles. His numerous decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the British Distinguished Flying Cross, the Chinese Air Force Medal and the Order of the Cloud Banner. In 1996, the USAF honored Older and other AVG members, and Chuck received the USAF Distinguished Flying Cross for his service with the AVG.

Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Size 22 inches x 18 inches (56cm x 446cm). Price £94.00

Signed by AVG and WWII Ace Chuck Older (deceased).

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ITEM CODE STK0029

Sayonara Sally by Stan Stokes.

Claire L. Chennault retired in 1937 and began a second career in China where he set up a number of flying schools and airfields. A personal friend of Chiang Kai-shek Chennault was asked to organize a unit of experienced American combat pilots to help fight the Japanese. Chennault sent recruiters to American military installations and was able to organize the American Volunteer Group or AVG by late 1941. The group later became better known as the Flying Tigers, and their distinctive shark-mouthed P-40s became a well-recognized symbol. There were three AVG squadron; the Adam and Eves, the Panda Bears, and the Hells Angels. On December 23, 1941 sixty Sally heavy bombers of the 60th , 62nd , and 68th Sentai based at Bangkok and Phnom Penh were supposed to rendezvous over Bangkok and head to Rangoon for a bombing raid. The three units failed to join up as planned and they also failed to rendezvous with their fighter escorts for the mission. As the sixty aircraft approached Rangoon they were strung out and without the benefit of escort. None-the-less the determined Japanese pilots forged ahead. The AVG Flying Tigers were alerted at 10:00 AM with the alert message clear the field! Chuck Older and Ed Overend had been released from duty for some R&R, however when they hear the commotion created by the alert they returned to Mingladon Airfield and located two unused P40s, hopped in and went flying. Reaching an altitude of 8,000 feet they began to catch up with some other aircraft from the Hells Angels Squadron. They then spotted the huge conglomeration of Japanese bombers above them. I aimed at one of the wing planes on the left side of the formation and after my first attack, smoke began streaming from the port engine. I rolled out to the side and came back.... I aimed again at the same plane and closed to about seventy-five yards. I gave it a long burst, and the bomber suddenly nosed down out of the formation with smoke streaming behind. I saw it roll over into an almost vertical dive and disappear below me. As Older further recalled I continued making attacks from below, this time aiming at the leader of the formation.... I saw the bomber explode.... and flame and smoke seemed to pour out from the bottom of the fuselage. I saw debris falling from this plane immediately after the explosion. The bomber nosed straight down with flames and smoke pouring from it. Two days later the AVG would decimate an even larger formation of Japanese bombers, forcing the Japanese to adopt a policy of bombing only at night.

Signed limited edition of 500 prints, signed by all the surviving AVG pilots of the 3rd Pursuit Sqn, and the artist. Size 22 inches x 18 inches (56cm x 46cm). Price £124.00

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ITEM CODE STK0168

Final Assault by Stan Stokes.

The largest and most powerful bomber of WW II, the Boeing B-29 Super Fortress, played a major role in bringing about the defeat of Japan. In addition to accelerating Japans surrender following the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with atomic bombs, thousands of B-29 crews flew tens of thousands of bombing missions against Japan from bases in China, India, and later in the War from recaptured islands in the Pacific. B-29s entered service in 1943 following a lengthy, problem-filled, development process of three years in response to the governments request for a long range strategic bomber. Only Boeing and Douglas (the B-32 Dominator) responded to the governments requests, and the B-32 had even greater development problems than the B-29. Powered by four giant Wright R-3350-23 radial engines generating a total horsepower of 8,924, the Super Fortresses typically carried crews of ten. They were capable of a top speed of 357-MPH, and at slower cruising speeds had a range of more than 3,200 miles. The B-29 was a large aircraft for its time with a wingspan in excess of 140 feet and a length of just under 100 feet. The Super Forts also had pressurized forward and aft hulls, which made the long distance missions a bit more comfortable for the flight crews. B-29s typically carried defensive armament which included ten machine guns and a single tail-mounted canon. Because of the pressurized hull, the guns were operated by remote control. The first operational B-29 wing was the 58th which flew out of the China-Burma-India theater. On March 9, 1945 General Curtis LeMay ordered an unusual low altitude attack on Tokyo by hundreds of B-29s carrying incendiary bombs. Five such low level missions were scheduled over a ten-day period, and the combined destruction of these missions exceeded that of either of the atomic bomb missions. B-29s were also effectively used to mine Japanese ports and shipping lanes. The Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu heavy fighter, which is depicted attacking the B-29 in Stan Stokes painting, entered production in 1941 following a lengthy four year development. About 1,700 of these aircraft, code named Nick by the allies, were produced. The Ki-45 never proved effective as a long range daylight interceptor. It was, however, used effectively in ground attack and night fighter roles. It was one of only a few Japanese aircraft that had some success against the onslaught of B-29s because it was able to attain the high altitudes necessary to intercept the high-flying Super Fortresses. This print is dedicated to the thousands of B-29 officers and crewmen who hastened the end of the Pacific War.

Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00

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Limited edition of 25 giclee paper prints. Size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Price £109.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 45 inches x 30 inches (114cm x 76cm). Price £624.00

Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer

Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £484.00

Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer

Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £294.00

Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer

ITEM CODE STK0093

Destination Tokyo by Stan Stokes.

On April 18, 1942, Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle led a group of 16 B-25 bombers on a carrier-launched raid on industrial and military targets in Japan. The raid was one of the most daring missions of WW II. Planning for this secret mission began several months earlier, and Jimmy Doolittle, one of the most outstanding pilots and leaders in the United States Army Air Corps was chosen to plan, organize and lead the raid. The plan was to get within 300 or 400 miles of Japan, attack military and industrial targets in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe shortly after nightfall, and then fly on to a dawn landing at secret airfields on the coast of China. The twin engine B-25 Mitchell bomber was selected by Doolittle for the mission and practice indicated that it should be possible to launch these aircraft from a carrier deck with less than 500 feet of runway. On April 2, 1942 the USS Hornet and a number of escorts set sail from Alameda, California with the 16 B-25s strapped to its deck. This task force rendezvoused with another including the USS Enterprise, and proceeded for the Japanese mainland. An element of surprise was important for this mission to succeed. When the task force was spotted by a Japanese picket boat, Admiral Halsey made the decision to launch the attack earlier than was planned. This meant that the raiders would have to fly more than 600 miles to Japan, and would arrive over their targets in daylight. It also meant that it would be unlikely that each aircraft would have sufficient fuel to reach useable airfields in China. Doolittle had 50 gallons of additional fuel stowed on each aircraft as well as a dinghy and survival supplies for the likely ditchings at sea which would now take place. At approximately 8:00 AM the Hornets loudspeaker blared, Now hear this: Army pilots, man your planes! Doolittle and his co-pilot R.E. Cole piloted the first B-25 off the Hornets deck at about 8:20 AM. With full flaps, and full throttle the Mitchell roared towards the Hornets bow, just barely missing the ships island superstructure. The B-25 lifted off, Doolittle leveled out, and made a single low altitude pass down the painted center line on the Hornets deck to align his compass. The remaining aircraft lifted off at approximately five minute intervals. The mission was planned to include five three-plane sections directed at various targets. However, Doolittle had made it clear that each aircraft was on its own. He insisted, however, that civilian targets be avoided, and under no circumstances was the Imperial Palace in Tokyo to be bombed. About 30 minutes after taking off Doolittles B-25 was joined by another piloted by Lt. Travis Hoover. These two aircraft approached Tokyo from the north. They encountered a number of Japanese fighter or trainer aircraft, but they remained generally undetected at their low altitude. At 1:30 PM the Japanese homeland came under attack for the first time in the War. From low altitudes the raiders put their cargoes of four 500 pounders into a number of key targets. Despite antiaircraft fire, all the attacking aircraft were unscathed. The mission had been a surprise, but the most hazardous portion of the mission lay ahead. The Chinese were not prepared for the raiders arrival. Many of the aircraft were ditched along the coast, and the crews of other aircraft, including Doolittles were forced to bail out in darkness. There were a number of casualties, and several of the raiders were caught by Japanese troops in China, and some were eventually executed. This painting is dedicated to the memories of those airmen who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and the thousands of innocent Chinese citizens which were brutally slaughtered as a reprisal for their assistance in rescuing the downed crews.

Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00

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Signed limited edition of 225 prints. Size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm). Price £109.00

Signed by B-25 Pilot Col. Travis Hoover.

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Limited edition of 100 giclee paper prints. Size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm). Price £109.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 45 inches x 30 inches (114cm x 76cm). Price £624.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £484.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £294.00

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ITEM CODE STK0088

Birth of a Legend by Stan Stokes.

Colin P. Kelly, Americas first hero of WW II, was born in Florida in 1915. He was accepted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and following graduation Kelly married the former Marian Wick. Kelly received his primary flight instruction at Randolph Field in San Antonio, and after earning his wings he moved across town to Kelly Field for advanced pilot training. Unlike many would-be fighter pilots, Kelly was not disappointed with being assigned as a bomber pilot. Kelly received a letter of commendation from The Secretary of War when he crash landed a Northrop A-17A he was ferrying to Mitchel field in a vacant street in Brooklyn. In September of 1940 Kelly was promoted to Captain, and was assigned to the 42nd Bomb Squadron as commander of a B-17. Kelly trained in Hawaii, and was later made Operations Officer for the 14th Bomb Squadron. In September of 1941 Kelly and his crew flew from Hawaii to Clark Field in the Philippines. The B-17s were an important addition to the woefully inadequate and obsolete air forces which America had in the Philippines. The Japanese Imperial forces attacked the Philippines only hours following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Mitsubishi Zero fighters, flying to maximize their range, were able to accompany Japanese bombers from bases in Formosa. The initial attack on Clark Field damaged or destroyed many American aircraft. Kellys squadron had been moved south to another field and had escaped damage. On December 10, Kellys squadron was ordered to fly north to Clark Field where they would refuel and arm their aircraft for attacks on the Japanese invasion fleet. Kellys regular B-17D was out of service, so his crew was assigned a B-17C. At Clark Field three 600-pound armor piercing bombs were loaded on Kellys B-17 when an air raid hastened their departure. Kelly flew northward to the northern most tip of the island of Luzon. Kelly spotted a number of Japanese ships which were supporting an amphibious landing. The young Captain dropped his three bombs hoping to destroy the largest of the Japanese ships. One bomb struck the vessel, igniting a tremendous blaze. On returning to Clark Field, the B-17 was attacked by a number of Japanese fighters, including a Zero flown by Saburo Sakai. Sakai would become the highest scoring Japanese ace to survive the War with 64 victories. Amazed by the speed of the Flying Fortress, the Zeros needed full throttle to make passes at the B-17. Kellys B-17 was eventually hit and set afire. Captain Kelly ordered his crew to abandon ship. Kelly remained with the aircraft, and he did not survive the crash landing. With America desperate for any good news on the war front, and with Army brass in the Philippines anxious to claim some positive results, Colin Kellys exploits became exaggerated in many news accounts. By the time the story was publicized stateside, many believed he had dived his B-17 down the funnel of a Japanese battleship. While Kelly was indeed an American hero, the unfortunate gross exaggeration of his exploits, should not tarnish the fact that Kelly, like many that would follow him in the years ahead, had made the ultimate sacrifice for his country in the line of duty.

Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00

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Signed limited edition of 225 prints. Size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm). Price £124.00

Signed by Japanese Ace Saburo Sakai (deceased).

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Signed limited edition of 225 prints. Size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm). Price £94.00

Signed by Colin Kellys Navigator Col. Joe Bean.

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £484.00

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Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm). Price £294.00

Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer

ITEM CODE STK0086

An Interesting Dog Fight by Stan Stokes.

October 23, 1942 was a typical day for American troops at Esprito Santo, but for the crew of a B-17 Flying Fortress it would become a most memorable day. Early that morning the Japanese began shelling the field. Lt. Ed Loberg, a former farm boy from Wisconsin, was ordered to take his B-17 up for a reconnaissance mission to determine where the Japanese guns may be located. Not finding anything they returned to the field. The brakes failed on the B-17 upon landing, and they hit several parked Navy aircraft. Fortunately for Lobergs crew a 100 pound bomb dislodged in the crash did not explode. Later that day the crew boarded another B-17 and went hunting out to sea. Around mid-day the crew noticed a PBY being attacked by a Kawanishi H6K Mavis flying boat. Diving the B-17 straight down, the Mavis and the Flying Fortress soon entered a rain squall. The windows were black with clouds and rain, and the plane was buffeted by strong winds. Emerging from the squall at low altitude into blinding sunlight the B-17 emerged only fifty feet from their adversary. Immediately every gun on both aircraft began firing in a broadside exchange reminiscent of age old sailing ship battles. Thousands of bullets criss-crossed the narrow spread of air, and the Fortress shuddered from the impact. Tracer bullets from the B-17 pelted the Mavis like darts with many ricocheting off its armor. The Mavis made a tight turn, and Loberg turned inside him to avoid the mortal sting from the Mavis tail guns. In and out of rain squalls this interesting dogfight continued for 45 minutes. The Mavis kept very close to the wave tops to protect is vulnerable under belly. Several times during the fight the Mavis disappeared for three or four minutes into clouds, but each time as it reemerged Lobergs B-17 resumed the attack. Twice the B-17 passed over the H6K so close that the jagged bullet holes in the Mavis and the round glasses on its two pilots could be seen clearly. Finally, the Mavis began smoking, and the Japanese plane dropped into the sea and exploded in a large ball of flame. In the words of Ira Wolfert, a war correspondent, who was on the flight; During the duel, the Fort that I was on, with a bullet in one of its motors, and two holes as big as Derby hats in its wings, made tight turns with half-rolls and banks past vertical. That is, it frequently stood against the sea on one wing like a ballet dancer balancing on one point, and occasionally it went over even farther than that and started lifting its belly toward the sky in desperate effort to keep the Jap from turning inside it… Throughout the entire forty-four minutes, the plane, one of the oldest being used in the war, ran at top speed, shaking and rippling all over like a skirt in a gale, so many inches of mercury being blown into its motors by the superchargers that the pilot and co-pilot, in addition to their other worries, had to keep an eye on the cowlings to watch for cylinder heads popping up through them. Others on Lobergs crew that day were B. Thurston the co-pilot, R Spitzer the navigator, R. Mitchell the bombadier and E. Gustafson , E. Jung, G. Holbert , E. Smith, and P. Butterbaugh who manned the guns during this unusual dogfight. Both Mitchell and Spitzer were wounded during the battle.

Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00

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Signed limited edition of 225 prints. Size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm). Price £75.00

Signed by B-17 Pilot Ed Loberg (deceased).

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Save £5 on selected prints - Was £80

ITEM CODE STK0084