"On Target" Aviation Print Hand-Signed by 8 Tuskegee Airmen Ben Davis Red Tails

Description: "On Target" Limited Edition Print by Ric Druett Image Size:14 1/4" x 21 1/4" Paper Size: 19" x 23 1/2" Limited Edition #963/1500Signed by the artist and numbered. These are not printed signatures!In addition to being signed by the artist the print is also hand-signed by 8 Tuskegee Airmen, including Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., the first African-American brigadier general in the USAF. He graduated from West Point in 1936, becoming the first black man to do so since 1889. Mint Condition. Never Framed! This print was originally part of a set of four prints that included: "On Target", "Drop Tanks and Follow Me", "Button Up Time", and "Red Tail Fury". There is no Certificate of Authenticity for this print because there were originally four prints in the set and the COA was given to the buyer of the other prints. I can give you a copy of the original COA. This print is hand-signed by members of the 99th Fighter Squadron: Lt. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., Lt. Col. Howard L. Baugh, Col. William A. Campbell, Capt. Lemuel R. Custis, Col. Charles Dryden, Capt. Louis R. Purnell, 1st Lt. Curtis C. Robinson, Lt. Col. Spann Watson. About the print:Curtiss P-40L Warhawks are depicted during a ground support mission. The mission was led by Maj. George S. "Spanky" Roberts in #A13, followed by First Lt. Alva N. Temple in #A24 "Nona II", First Lt. Herman "Ace" Lawson in #A17 "Ace of Pearls", and First Lt. Howard L. Baugh in #A11 "Connie Jean" attacking a supply convoy with 500lb. bombs. The L model was a lighter version of the Warhawk. It was powered by the Allison-built Merlin engine and carried four .50 ca. machine guns instead of six."On Target" is dedicated to those American soldiers who fought on the ground in North Africa, Sicily and on into Germany. From the historical document that accompanies the print: Activated on 22 March, 1941, the 99th Fighter Squadron was the only Black combat flying unit in the USAAF from May until early November of 1943. The pilots flew P-40s until the 99th Fighter Squadron became attached to the 332nd Fighter Group in July, 1944. Prior to joining the 332nd Fighter Group, they were attached to several groups. On January 27 and 28, 1944, while with the 79th Fighter Group during the Anzio Operation, the 99th shot down 12 enemy aircraft. Until this time most of the missions had been in the tactical and convoy support roles. The 99th took on the strategic mission when it transferred from the 12th Air Force to the 15th Air Force for bomber escort duty. When the 99th joined the 332nd, they transitioned to the P-51 Mustang. The 99th remained active after the war within the 477th Composite Group and 332nd Fighter Wing from 1 July, 1947 to 1 July, 19049 when they flew P-47Ns. Upon integration of the U. S. Air Force on 1 July 1949, the 99th was deactivated. It was reactivated on 1 June 1988 to 1 April 1993 at Williams AFB, Arizona as a flying training squadron. On 14 May1993, the 99th was reactivated at Randolph AFB, Texas and currently flies the T-1. (Remember this was written in 1994.)The 99th received Distinguished Unit Citations for Sicily June-July, 1943, Cassino 12-14 May, 1944 and Germany 24 March, 1945.

Price: 325 USD

Location: Clemson, South Carolina

End Time: 2024-09-10T17:03:22.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD