Brooks Aviation Art  Richard Taylor     

Blue Nose!

by Richard Taylor


In early July 1943, a few days after landing in Scotland aboard the liner Queen Elizabeth, the 352nd Fighter Group arrived at their new home - the former RAF airfield at Bodney. Originally equipped with P-47 Thunderbolts, in April 1944 they transitioned to P-51 Mustangs, and their distinctive blue painted noses soon became familiar sights in the Norfolk skies.
Shown here are the blue-nosed P-51s of the 328th Fighter Squadron high above towering cumulus clouds over East Anglia in November 1944. Led by Major George Preddy, the P-51 pilots prepare to escort a large formation of B-17s on yet another arduous long range mission to Germany.

14¾" x 17¾" (image size: 9¾" x 13¾”)

Available in the following editions

450 Limited edition   Signed by two 352nd FG Mustang pilots. $120
35 Artist's proof Signed by three 352nd FG Mustang pilots. $210
15 Remarque Signed by three 352nd FG Mustang pilots. $455



Limited edition signatures:
Major Alden P. Rigby First Lieutenant Roy Wanda


Artist's proof & Remarque edition signatures:
Major Alden P. Rigby First Lieutenant Roy Wanda Maj. Gen.Cuthbert A. ‘Bill’ Pattillo


The signatories
Alden P. Rigby
Alden Rigby deployed to England in 1944 and was assigned to the 487th FS, 352nd Fighter Group from July 1944 till March 1945. During this time, he took part in 76 combat missions in P-51s, destroying 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, including several on 1 Jan 1945 during the German attack of Operation Bodenplatte.
*
Roy Wanda
Sailing for Europe in December 1944, Roy was assigned to the 486th Fighter Squadron and flew the first of his 31 combat missions on 8 February 1945. On one of these, in March 1945, he was lucky to survive when an 88mm flak shell went straight through the wing of his P-51 Danny Boy without exploding!
*
Cuthbert A. ‘Bill’ Pattillo
Bill Pattillo was assigned to the 487th FS, 352nd Fighter Group and flew 135 combat missions in P-51 Mustangs from November 1944 until he was shot down over Germany in April 1945 and taken as a PoW until liberated on 2 May 1945. Bill was credited with destroying 1 Me-262 jet in aerial combat plus another 6 enemy aircraft on the ground. After the war he flew with the first USAF Thunderbird team. Following a highly distinguished post-war career he retired from the Air Force as a General.
*


See also: (available with matching numbers to "Blue Nose!" while supplies last)
 
Masters of the Sky

Led by their Commanding Officer Major George Preddy, the P-51 Mustang pilots of the 328th FS, 352nd FG, engage in a bitter struggle with Luftwaffe fighters in the cold winter air high over eastern Germany.

Signed by two 352nd FG veterans.
(also available with additional signatures)

14¾" x 17¾" - $120


Richard Taylor   home page Featured Artists  Aircraft Search e-mail