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On December 12, 1943, 1st Lt. Don Lopez experienced his first
jing bao, or scramble, just after dawn; soon he and his
comrades of the 75th Fighter Squadron were at 6,000 feet over
South Central China. Lopez ripped his P-40 into the middle of
a flight of Japanese Oscars and quickly engaged one of
them. The American and Japanese pilots flew directly at one another,
firing steadily and scoring hits. Lopez expected his opponent
to break off, but he did not. Head-on only a few feet apart,
the Oscar swerved right… too late. Lopez lost three feet
off the end of his wing, but the Japanese pilot lost substantially
more, including control of his aircraft, which plunged toward
the earth. Undaunted, Lopez pressed the attack again, helping
to bring down another Oscar with his guns.
Countersigned by Don Lopez.
Giclée reproductions offer a superior image, and this
piece really is an impressive, super quality item, it is supplied
mounted on a stretcher, ready for framing. |
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