{"title":"ARTIST: Stan Stokes","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"something-to-write-home-about-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Something to Write Home About by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0001GS. Something to Write Home About by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e The 94th and 95th Pursuit Squadrons of the U.S. Army Air Service were the first American units to see action in WW I following Americas entry into the War. The units were assigned in March of 1918 to a former French aerodrome at Villeneuve, which was located about twenty miles behind the front line. The 94th had several experienced pilots who had flown with the Lafayette Escadrille, including Major Raoul Lufbery, who had become the top American ace with the Lafayette Escadrille. The weather in March was poor for flying, and the 94th lacked appropriately equipped aircraft to oppose attacking German planes. However, the unit could hear the thunder of heavy guns in the distance, and when it was clear a string of observation balloons could be seen in the distance. Rumors of German advances startled the young flyers of the 94th, and compounded their frustrations. On March 30 the unit was moved further back from the lines to an aerodrome adjacent to the small village of Epiez. In early April guns finally arrived for the units Neuport 28s. Major Huffer, commander of the squadron, suggested the hat-in-the-ring insignia for the unit which was drawn-up by Lt. J. Wentworth. On the morning of April 14, the 94th planned to fly its first combat sortie. Two of the pilots, Lt. Douglas Campbell and Lt. Alan Winslow were to keep a sharp lookout at the aeodrome for enemy fighters. Unfortunately the weather on the morning of the 14th was marginal with a heavy mist, and the mission was partially aborted. Later that morning two enemy aircraft buzzed the aerodrome, and Winslow and Campbell rushed to their waiting machines. Within a few minutes Alan Winslow had bagged a Hun, and shortly thereafter Campbell was successful at downing the other aircraft. Both enemy machines fell right on the doorstep of the aerodrome. These were the first two enemy aircraft downed by pilots flying for the American Air Service. It appears that the enemy pilots became disoriented in the bad weather and mistook the 94ths aerodrome for their own. This double victory for the Americans brought joy to the members of the American Air Service and to the local inhabitants would had withstood unopposed attacks by enemy aircraft. The young Winslow, who received the Croix de Guerre, wrote his parents a letter on April 17, 1918 describing the incident and all the commotion made thereafter, in which he indicated that the 14th of April was the, happiest day of my life. Cables poured in from all across the United States, and as Eddie Rickenbacker pointed out in his Fighting the Flying Circus, It was particularly fortunate for the squadron that such an extraordinary success should have marked the very first day of our operations ..... the episode put great confidence into all of us and we felt that we were a match for the whole German Air Force. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOne print available only.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSize 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135078289741,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0001.jpg?v=1781873607"},{"product_id":"the-kaisers-battle-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"The Kaisers Battle by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0007GS. The Kaisers Battle by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e By the spring of 1918 WW I was fast approaching its climax. In the East, Russia had collapsed, allowing Germany to amass a force of 3.5 million troops in 194 divisions on the all-important Western Front. The German strategy was to end the War before the full brunt of American involvement could swing the balance irretrievably in favor of the Allies. In an offensive of titanic proportions, later known as the Kaisers Battle, German forces strove to break the three-and-a-half year stalemate in trench warfare. This massive offensive would combine the use of sturmtruppen trained to infiltrate Allied positions, massed artillery attacks, and finally schlachtstasffein which were formations of specialized ground attack aircraft. These units, while lacking the publicity of the fighter squadrons, played a more offensive role than any other aircraft of WW I. As part of German industrys Amerika Programm, begun in mid-1917 to counter the anticipated arrival of an American air armada, the Imperial German Air Force called for the development of a new light, compact, highly maneuverable, two-seat aircraft to be known as the CL class. These new aircraft were to be offensive machines to be used to escort bombers and strafe trenches. One of the most successful of the new class of aircraft was the Hannover CL IIIa. The Hannover, as a single-engined aircraft, was unique in having a biplane tail. Its purpose was to reduce the tailplane span, thereby affording a wider field of fire for the observer\/gunner. For a two seat aircraft the CL IIIa was a smallish (38 foot wingspan) and compact aircraft, and was often mistaken by Allied scouts as a single seater, whereupon they were speedily disabused of their illusion by a hail of fire from the observers Parabellum machine-gun. The small size of this aircraft imparted great maneuverability and an excellent field of view for its pilot. Powered by an Argus As III engine, the Hannover also utilized a plywood fuselage, giving the aircraft great strength and the ability to withstand a lot of punishment. These characteristics made the CL IIIa an ideal ground attack aircraft. More than one thousand of these airplanes were built, and they entered service in late 1917. The Hannoveranas, as they were called by the RFC, were without doubt, formidable opponents. Major James McCudden, V.C., the RFCs fourth ranking ace with 57 victories, was to write: These machines are very deceptive and pilots are apt to mistake them for Albatros scouts until they get to close range, when up pops the Hun gunner from inside his office. Johann Baur, who later became the personal pilot of Adolf Hitler, flew Hannovers and claimed nine victories. In Stan Stokes dramatic depiction, a CL IIIa strafes counter-attacking British Mk IV tanks in a shell pocked landscape during the Spring offensive of 1918, Germanys supreme bid for victory in the West. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOne print available only.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135078322509,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0007.jpg?v=1781873611"},{"product_id":"boom-boom-billy-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Boom Boom Billy by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0012GS. Boom Boom Billy by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e William Avery Bishop, the top scoring RFC ace of WW I, was born in Ontario Canada on February 8, 1894. He entered the Royal Military College in 1911 and after War broke out in Europe he was assigned to the 14th Battalion of the Canadian Mounted Rifles. Bishop applied for a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps in 1915. Following a few months of training he was made an observer and was sent to France to fly with No. 21 squadron. He was hospitalized for frostbite and later from injuries sustained in a bad landing. In late 1916 he began pilot training and in March of 1917 Bishop was posted to No. 60 squadron flying Nieuport Scouts. On March 25 he experienced his first air combat, downing an Albatros single-seater. Bishop scored thirteen victories during Bloody April, and another seven-and-a-half in May. He was awarded the DSO at this point. In early June Bishop attacked a German airfield at dawn, and shot down three Albatros aircraft taking off to challenge him. For this fete he received the Victoria Cross. In constant combat during the summer months, Bishops score rose to 45 by mid-August. He was the first to exceed the record of  the famous British Ace, Albert Ball. During this period Bishop often flew as many as seven-eight hours each day. He was aggressive in the air and obviously possessed excellent flying instincts and marksmanship skills. Eleven of these 45 victories were achieved in the SE-5 with which No. 60 squadron had been re-equipped. Promoted to Major, Bishop returned to Canada for a recruiting tour. In 1918 he returned to England, first as the Chief Instructor at Aerial Gunnery School, and later as the Commander of No. 85 squadron. Once again Bishop was at his best in the air. Flying SE-5s, Bishop claimed 27 more victories during this final combat tour, including four Pfalz D.IIIs. Bishop received the DFC, and returned to the Air Ministry in England for a short time before returning to Canada in August of 1918. There he played an important role in the formation of the new Canadian Air Force. Bishops official victory total of 72, the highest for any RFC flyer in WW I, approached the official total of von Richtofen who had 80. Some historians have disputed Bishops score, indicating that he received credit for a number of victories when he was flying alone. Following the War, Bishop formed a commercial aviation company with another ace W.G. Barker. He later served with the RCAF during WW II as an Air Marshal responsible for training. Billy Bishop passed away in 1956 at the age of seventy. In Stan Stokes nostalgic painting the top RFC ace is depicted early in his career flying his Nieuport against a German Albatros. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOne available only.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSize 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135078388045,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0012.jpg?v=1781873607"},{"product_id":"rickenbacker-american-ace-of-aces-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Rickenbacker: American Ace of Aces by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0015GS. Rickenbacker: American Ace of Aces by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e Edward V. Rickenbacker was Americas Ace of Aces in WWI. A Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Eddie was born in Columbus Ohio on October 8, 1890. Eddies schooling ceased at age twelve when his father died. His first job was working at a foundry 72 hours a week for $3.50 per week. Eventually Eddie found employment in a garage, a job which was to have a tremendous influence on his entire life. Rickenbacker studied engineering through a correspondence school, and at age 18 he was employed to road test automobiles for the then famous Frayer-Miller company. Eddie drove in three Indy 500 races, and was deemed a conservative but highly skilled driver. By his early twenties Eddie was making about $40,000 a year, and in 1916 he visited England and was caught up in the spirit of the war, and in particular all activity relating to the Royal Flying Corps. A year later Rickenbacker had enlisted, hoping to become an American flyer. Unfortunately, he was assigned to General Pressings staff as a driver. After much persistence Eddie was finally given a transfer to the embryonic American Aviation Service, thanks to the influence of Billy Mitchell. Rickenbacker trained at Issoudun in France, and his flying demonstrated his amazing ability to judge both speed and distance. Because of his great mechanical ability, Rickenbackers superiors thought he would be more valuable in a ground maintenance capacity than as a flyer. Finally, Eddie got his wish and was sent to Cazeau where he received his air gunnery training. In March of 1918 Eddie was posted to the 94th (Hat-in-the-Ring) Pursuit Squadron which was based at Villeneuve. This new squadron was being organized around Major Raoul Luftbery, the famous American ace who had flown with the Lafayette Escadrille. Eddies flying was marked by an almost scientific approach, making every turn or maneuver gain some advantage over his adversary. Rickenbackers score rose steadily and he helped push the 94th to the highest score of any American squadron. Rickenbacker received numerous decorations including The Distinguished Service Cross with nine Oak Leaves, the French Legion of Honor, and the Croix de Guerre with four Palms. Eddies record of 26 confirmed aerial victories was achieved in a few short months of flying. Eddie also was never injured during his battles in the skies over France. Captain Eddie, as he was known to most Americans, was promoted to Major prior to leaving the service, but Eddies midwestern mentality prevented from using a title he didn't feel he had earned. Following the war Rickenbacker had a very successful business career which included formation of his own automobile company, ownership of the Indianapolis Raceway, and the purchase of Eastern Air Lines from General Motors. Eddie survived a terrible crash of an Eastern Air Lines DC-3, and also survived a 24-day unplanned voyage in a life raft, when his aircraft crashed in the Pacific. During WWII Eddie performed a number of diplomatic missions for the U.S. government, and he was an outspoken proponent of a unified and strong air force. Rickenbacker is unarguably one of the most important figures in aviation history. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135078420813,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0015.jpg?v=1781873602"},{"product_id":"mitchells-air-armada-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Mitchell's Air Armada by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0020GS. Mitchell's Air Armada by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e Germany, concerned over the full brunt of Americas entry into the War, decided in 1918 to launch one last all-out offensive. Germanys air forces were to play an important role in this offensive, but production of new aircraft had lagged behind expectations. With insufficient numbers of aircraft, German military leaders had to hope for technically superior machines to offset their disadvantages in numbers. In early 1918 top aces were brought back from the front to test competing designs. The overall favorite was a Fokker design which would ultimately reach the front as the D.VII. The aircraft was ordered into production immediately. The Germans organized a couple more fighter groups which could be rapidly deployed in those area where they could do the most good. The German offensive, which is generally referred to as the Kaisers Battle, began in the Spring and was focused on the area north of the Somme. British forces were initially overwhelmed by the German offensive. German airpower dominated in the early phases of the offensive. For the first major counter offensive of the War in which American forces would play a major role, Col. Billy Mitchell, Chief of the Air Service, assembled a huge air armada, the objective of which was to wrest toal air superiority from the German forces. Mitchell assembled 28 American squadrons. More than 600 US-piloted aircraft were available to Mitchell in this sector including more than 100 new American-built DH-4s with Liberty engines. In addition Mitchell rested control of several hundred additional aircraft in British, French, and Italian squadrons. Mitchells total force amounted to nearly 1,500 aircraft - the largest air armada ever assembled.  In the early days of the counter offensive Mitchells strategy worked brilliantly, as the sheer number of Allied aircraft overwhelmed the Germans. Later, as the fighting continued, the Germans would have some success; especially with their Fokker D. VIIs. In Stan Stokes painting DH-4 bombers of the US 11th Aero Squadron come under attack by Fokker D.VIIs while on their way to another target during the St. Mihiel offensive. The 11th Aero Squadron would be decimated before the end of the offensive, losing all but one its aircraft. Five of the six DH-4s sent to bomb Mars-la-Tour were downed by a flight led by Hermann Becker, a significant German ace. The American built DH-4 was capable of carrying a 450-pound bomb load. Powered with a 416-HP Liberty 12 engine, these aircraft were capable of 125 MPH, and were adequately armed with 4 machine guns. The Fokker D. VIIs were powered with a 175-HP Mercedes engine and were capable of 119 MPH. The Fokkers were typically armed with twin Spandau machine guns. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOne available only.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135078453581,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0020.jpg?v=1781873610"},{"product_id":"big-beautiful-doll-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Big Beautiful Doll by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0025GS. Big Beautiful Doll by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e Col. John D. Landers, the pilot of the Big Beautiful Doll, was born in 1920 in Wilson, Oklahoma.  He attended Texas A \u0026amp; M and Arkansas State University before joining the Army Air Corp. In March of 1941 Landers graduated from aviation cadet training and was commissioned as a second lieutenant.  With America thrust into WWII following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Landers was assigned to the 49th Fighter Group and set forth to Australia.  Flying a Curtis P-40 out of bases in Darwin and Port Moresby, Landers became an ace by downing two Betty bombers and four Mitsubishi Zeros.  When his first combat tour ended, Landers returned to the States as a P-38 Lightning instructor.  During a second combat tour Landers was assigned to the European Theatre as Commander of the 38th Fighter Squadron of the 55th Fighter Group. On June 25th 1944 Landers downed his first German aircraft, an Fw190.  Several days later he would bag three Me110s on a single day.  Later in 1944 Landers was made acting Commander of the 357th Fighter Group.  Flying a P-51 Mustang for the first time he obtained an aerial victory on November 18th.  Landers returned to America for a brief rest following completion of his second combat tour.  However, by January of 1945 he was back in action as C.O. of the 78th Fighter Group which flew out of Duxford, England.  Landers attained 3 ½ additional confirmed aerial victories and destroyed many additional enemy aircraft on the ground.  In fact the 78th Fighter Group destroyed 125 German aircraft on the ground on April 16th 1945, which is a record for one day.  After V.E. Day Landers was given command of the 361st Fighter Group which he was preparing to take to the Pacific when the war ended.  Officially credited with 14 ½ aerial victories, Landers decorations include the Silver Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross with three OLCs, the Purple Heart, the Croix de Guerre, and the Air Medal with twenty-one OLCs.  The ace returned to civilian life after the war where he was active in the pipeline business in the Southwest.  He retired in 1975, and passed away in 1989 from complications during surgery.  The P-51 Mustang played a major role in the Allied victory in WWII.  The P-51 was the first fighter with the range to accompany bombers into Germany, and tangle with the best of the Luftwaffes fighters on an equal basis.  Many Mustangs carried unique personalized paint schemes.  The Big Beautiful Doll is considered by many to be one of the classics with its checker board cowling, black rudder, and red accents. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSize 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135078486349,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0025.jpg?v=1781873610"},{"product_id":"a-big-victory-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"A Big Victory by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0027GS. A Big Victory by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e On September 18, 1944 P-51 pilots of the 375th Fighter Squadron of the 361st Fighter Group, based at Little Walden in Essex, were assigned the mission of escorting B-17s on a shuttle mission to Russia. The Mustangs would accompany the bombers to the south of Sweden where they would be picked up by an escort of Russian fighters. Urban Drew, flying  a 51-D named Detroit Miss, was one of the USAAF pilots on this mission. Just before breaking off the escort Drew spotted a twin-engine German aircraft flying very low to the water. He broke off with two wingman and went down after the German plane. It turned out to be an He-111, most likely a courier plane from Scandinavia. He opened fire hitting the top gun position, circled around, and with his second burst set the aircraft afire. It tumbled into the Baltic. As Drew and his two wingman climbed back to altitude to rejoin their flight, he looked off to the right and spotted an enormous flying boat moored at a sea plane base on a lake. Drew called to his wingman and said, get lined astern immediately, and we will make one pass, and one pass only... lets see if we can burn and sink this mother. The three Mustangs commenced their attack with the element of surprise to their advantage. The three Mustangs poured about 1200 rounds of 50 caliber ammo into the behemoth, and as the third aircraft pulled up black smoke and flames were pouring from the target. It was not until that moment that anti-aircraft batteries opened fire, but the P-51s were quickly out of range. During the debriefing it was determined that their target was probably a Blohm and Voss BV-222. Years later, in 1974, while Drew was living in London, he was contacted by the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) which wanted to do a documentary. It was only then that Drew found out that the aircraft he destroyed at the Bug Seaplane Base on Lake Schaal was actually the BV-238, the largest aircraft to see service in WW II. Development work on the Blohm and Voss BV-238 began in 1940. This was planned to be a very large overseas transport aircraft, and was powered by six 1900-HP Daimler-Benz inverted V-12 engines. It would be considerably larger than the BV-222 with a wingspan of nearly 200 feet, a height of nearly 44 feet, and an empty weight of more than 110,000 pounds. Although two other aircraft, the Douglas B-19 and the Soviet ANT.20, had longer wingspans, the BV-238 was the heaviest and most powerful aircraft developed during WW II. It was during the testing phase of this aircraft at Lake Schall in 1944 that the BV-238 was strafed and destroyed by a flight of three P-51s lead by Eighth Air Force ace Urban Drew. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135078519117,"sku":null,"price":294.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0027.jpg?v=1781873609"},{"product_id":"a-perfect-record-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"A Perfect Record by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0030GS. A Perfect Record by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e At the time of World War II there was still a great deal of prejudice in America, and this extended to all the branches of the military. Although black soldiers and seaman fought with dignity and bravery during WW I, many thought that blacks were incapable of handling difficult assignments. It was therefore with great uncertainty and trepidation that the Army Air Corps authorized the training of black pilots in 1941. The Air Corps proposed that a segregated training program be established. Judge William Hastie, Dean of the Howard University Law School, who was serving as a Civilian Assistant for Negro Affairs to the Secretary of War, protested about the segregated training, but his complaints were ignored. Hastie also proposed that the Army consider affiliating with the Tuskegee Institute which had already established a pilot training program. The Army allocated $1 million for the construction of the Tuskegee Army Air Field. The men sent to Tuskegee had to pass rigorous physical tests and pass nine weeks of ground school. They then received their basic flight instruction from instructors with the Civilian Instructor Corps. Those who passed moved on to more sophisticated military training for another seventy hours of flight time. A third phase of advanced training followed after which pilot cadets received their wings and were appointed to an initial rank of either 2nd Lieutenant or Flight Officer. Only about 60% of the cadets made it through the program, and many were killed or injured in flying accidents during training. Captain Noel Parish who oversaw much of the training at Tuskegee was a vocal supporter of the men under his command. Despite their ability to successfully handle the Air Corps training program, considerable hostility was still evident and the Army was reluctant to assign Tuskegee graduates to combat units. This created a difficult morale problem for those who had earned their wings and were now anxious to see combat. Finally, in the spring of 1943, the 99th Fighter Squadron headed for North Africa. In June of 1943 the 99th finally saw combat flying P-40s. On July 2 Lt. Charles Hall became the first black aviator to record an aerial victory in WW II. The 99th played an important role in preparing for the invasion of Sicily. The 332nd Fighter Group (under the command of then Lt. Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.) consisting of the 100th, 301st, and 302nd fighter squadrons entered combat in Italy flying P-39s in early 1944. By mid-1944 the Group was receiving P-47s, but in another about face the Air Corps quickly substituted P-51s. At this time the 99th FS was folded into the 332nd FG. From mid-1944 until the end of the War in Europe the Tuskegee Airmen of the 332nd FG flew an incredible number of missions. They generally escorted Fifteenth Air Force bombers on their attacks into Germany from bases in Italy. The red-tailed fighters of the 332nd FG had the distinction of having a perfect record - losing no escorted bombers to enemy fighter attack during the entire War. In Stan Stokes painting, the P-51 piloted by Charles E. McGee, who would also go on to fly combat missions in both Korea and Vietnam, is depicted over a Czech airfield on August 24, 1944. On this mission McGee would down an Fw-190. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135078584653,"sku":null,"price":294.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0030.jpg?v=1781873608"},{"product_id":"bite-of-the-black-widow-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Bite of the Black Widow  by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0032GS. Bite of the Black Widow  by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e The Northrop P-61 Black Widow was the USAAFs first modern fighter aircraft which was specifically designed from the start to serve in the night fighter capacity. Designed by Jack Knudson Northrop, this aircraft was quite innovative. The Armys initial requirements for this night interceptor made no mention of radar, but stated that the aircraft would carry a device which would locate enemy aircraft in the dark. The P-61 indeed utilized radar, and about seven hundred of these large twin-engine aircraft were built. The recommendation to pursue development of an aircraft of this type came about from the recommendations of a special commission which visited Great Britain during the Battle of Britain. The commission identified the need for an effective night fighter capability to deter enemy night bombing raids. Although the first prototype flew in May of 1942, the Black Widow did not enter front-line service until 1944. The P-61 was the largest and most powerful fighter aircraft of WW II. The Black Widows bite was mean because of its four cannons and four machine guns. With a wingspan of sixty-six feet and a length of nearly fifty feet, this large aircraft was powered by twin 18-cylinder Double Wasp radial engines, capable of 2,000-HP each. The B model of the P-61 was capable of speeds in the 365-MPH range, and had an incredible range of 3,000 miles. This great range gave the P-61 added benefits in the Pacific theater of operations. The P-61 utilized 4-bladed, variable pitch props, and incorporated a tricycle landing gear configuration. With its distinctive double tail configuration, the Black Widow had a roughly similar appearance to the P-38 Lightning, which was sometimes utilized in the night fighter role prior to the P-61 becoming available. The XP-61 prototype took to the air in May of 1942, and the aircraft exhibited a maximum speed of 380 MPH. Despite good results from the initial flights, the P-61 took a long time to enter production. In July of 1943 the Army organized the 481st Night Fighter Operational Training Group at Orlando Field in Florida. This unit completed service tests on pre-production Black Widows, and was responsible for training flight crews. In his spectacular moon-lit painting entitled Bite of the Black Widow, aviation artist Stan Stokes depicts the P-61 flown by Major Carroll C. Smith of the 418th Squadron of the Fifth Air Force. Smith was one of two pilots in WW II to attain ace status in the Black Widow. Smith obtained a total of seven night victories. His first two were obtained while flying a night-fighter version of the P-38. Four of Smiths victories in the P-61 came on two missions during one evening in December 1944. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOne print available only.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135078617421,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0032.jpg?v=1781873610"},{"product_id":"the-first-mustang-ace-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"The First Mustang Ace  by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0036GS. The First Mustang Ace  by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e The ubiquitous North American P-51 Mustang, which many consider to be the best all-around fighter of WW II, owes its origins to the British Air Ministry. Following Britains entry into WW II in 1939, the RAF was interested in purchasing additional fighter aircraft from American sources, particularly the Curtiss P-40. Curtiss, which was busy, was unable to guarantee timely delivery so the British approached North American Aviation as a possible second source for the P-40. North American chose to propose its own fighter design which would use the same Allison engine as the P-40. Utilizing new laminar flow wings, the North American fighter was expected to have performance better than the P-40. Developed in record time the new aircraft was designated as a Mustang I by the Brits, whereas the USAAF ordered two for evaluation which were designated XP-51 Apaches. Intrigued with the possibility of using this aircraft also as a dive bomber, North American proposed this to the USAAF which decided to order 500 of the P-51 aircraft to be modified for dive bombing use. Designated as the A-36 Invader, this version of the Mustang utilized dive flaps, and bomb racks under each wing. Some reinforcing of the structural members was also required because of the G-forces to be encountered in dive bombing. A-36s entered combat service with the USAAF prior to any P-51s. In early 1943 the 86th and 27th Fighter Bomber Groups of the 12th Air Force began flying A-36s out of Northern Africa. Despite some early problems with instability caused by the dive flaps, the A-36 was effective in light bombing and strafing roles. It was not, however, capable of dog fighting with German fighters, especially at higher altitudes. Despite these drawbacks one USAAF pilot, Captain Michael T. Russo, who served with the 16th Bomb Squadron of the 27th Fighter Bomber Group, was credited with five confirmed aerial victories in the A-36, thereby becoming the first mustang ace. In Stan Stokes painting, Russos third victory is depicted over a JU-52 at the Aversano Airfield in Italy. The early USAAF fighter versions of the Mustang were designated as P-51As. About 650 were delivered to the RAF and 350 to the USAAF. With its Allison engine the early P-51s were no match for German Bf-109s or FW-190s. The performance drawbacks of the Mustang were especially apparent at higher altitudes. The RAF equipped some Mustangs with the more powerful Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. This dramatically enhanced the Mustangs high altitude performance. This new engine was utilized in the P-51B, the first effective fighter version of this aircraft. Also developed were inexpensive wing mounted drop tanks which extended the Mustangs range into the heart of Germany, so it could accompany American bombers on daylight raids. Late in 1943, North American redesigned the top of the rear fuselage of the Mustang, and added a bubble canopy. This variant became the P-51D and proved to be an effective dog fighting aircraft against any of the Luftwaffes propeller driven fighters. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOne available only.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135078650189,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0036.jpg?v=1781873607"},{"product_id":"yamamotos-last-flight-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Yamamoto's Last Flight by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0038GS.  Yamamoto's Last Flight by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOne print available only.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135078682957,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0038.jpg?v=1781873610"},{"product_id":"lightning-strikes-7-times-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Lightning Strikes 7 Times  by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0039GS. Lightning Strikes 7 Times  by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e The Lockheed P-38 Lightning, called the Fork-Tailed Devil by Luftwaffe pilots in Africa, was one of the largest fighter aircraft to see service during WW II. Flight-testing of the YP-38 prototype was completed in 1941. The first P-38s put into service were dedicated to the defense of the West Coast following the attack on Pearl Harbor. In the spring of 1942 plans were laid to deploy P-38s in Europe. By adding drop tanks the maximum range of the Lightnings were increased to a whopping 2200 miles, making ferry trips to Europe possible. All three P-38-equipped fighter groups in Europe (82nd FG, 1st FG, and 14th FG) were transferred to North Africa in late 1942. These P-38 fighter groups were soon seeing serious combat action in the Mediterranean \u0026amp; North African theaters. The experienced Luftwaffe pilots learned that the P-38s should be attacked at altitudes below 15,000 feet, where they had difficulty maneuvering with the Bf-109s they frequently encountered. Despite these limitations the P-38s had tremendous climbing capabilities and were very effective gun platforms against German and Italian bombers. The Allison engines on the early P-38s were somewhat temperamental and actually caused more difficulties and aircraft losses than enemy action. Most problems related to an inadequate engine cooling system and the lack of cowl flaps. At altitude, gas problems could cause the Allison engines to burn out their valves, backfire through the intercooler ducts, and throw rods. Such problems could often result in the loss of the aircraft. Another problem was compressibility that was encountered during high-speed dives. During this problem the controls might seize up causing the aircraft to go into an uncontrolled dive. As a result P-38 pilots early in the War would often choose not to pursue Axis fighters into a high-speed dive. Both the engine cooler and compressibility problems were eventually solved by the time the P-38J variant was introduced. The large size of the P-38 was both an asset and a liability in combat. The large size made the aircraft easier to spot at distance, but provided a more effective gun platform for downing bombers. Col. William Leverette was a P-38 ace with the 14th FG, attaining 11 confirmed aerial victories. Leverette was born in Florida in 1913, and earned an engineering degree from Clemson University in 1934. He joined the U.S. Army in 1934, and was accepted for aviation cadet training in 1939. Earning his wings in 1940 he was initially based at Selfridge Field in Michigan with the 31st Pursuit Squadron. When War came to America, Leverette was sent to North Africa with the 337th FS of the 14th FG. Flying the P-38, Leverette broke into the scoring column in a most spectacular manner when he managed to splash seven Ju-87s on a single mission on October 9, 1943. Leverettes flight of six aircraft rushed to the defense of a British Cruiser and several destroyers that were under attack by a large group of enemy Ju-87s and Ju-88s. In an exciting 15-minute air battle, the P-38s managed to down sixteen Stukas and one Ju-88. Leverette received credit for seven. Later during his combat tour he would down two Bf-109s and two Me-110s. Leverette remained with the Air Force after the War, rising to the rank of Colonel prior to his retirement to Florida in 1965. Col. Leverette passed away in April 2003 at the age of 89. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135078715725,"sku":null,"price":294.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0039.jpg?v=1781873609"},{"product_id":"early-top-guns-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Early Top Guns  by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0043GS. Early Top Guns  by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e Prior to 1950 Chance-Vought had solidly established itself, along with Grumman, as one of the two leading suppliers of aircraft to the US Navy. Following WW II, however, the Texas-based company was less successful with its XF6U Pirate and later with its F7U Cutlass. In September of 1952 the Navy issued a requirement for its first supersonic, carrier-based, air superiority aircraft. Russ Clark and the design team at Vought submitted a proposal utilizing some radical design concepts. Most unique was a high mounted wing which could move 7 degrees in incidence. To make the craft more pilot friendly during carrier landings droops were designed into the leading edges of the wings. The cockpit was also located as far forward as possible providing excellent visibility. A Pratt \u0026amp; Whitney J57 was the proposed power plant. The Navy selected the Vought proposal from the eight submitted. In March of 1955 the first of the more than 1,200 Crusaders which would be built, made its inaugural flight, and went supersonic. The Crusader, often called the Gunfighter, was an unqualified success. It restored some prestige to the Navy, which had been criticized by Air Force supporters for not having any aircraft capable of taking on Migs in Korea in aerial combat. The F-8 set many speed records, including a cross country, carrier-to-carrier, trip in 3 hours and 28 minutes. At the time of the Vietnam War, the F-8 was a proven aircraft. Despite being relegated to a secondary mig-killing role, the F-8s downed 19 Migs in Vietnam. Their victory ratio was 6-to-1, which was superior to any other aircraft. F-8 pilots were well trained in air combat maneuvering skills, whereas pilots on more modern aircraft had been taught to rely on long range air-to-air missiles. Recognizing this need the Navy began transferring F-8 instructors to its F-4 program as a way to teach F-4 pilots dog fighting skills. This was the beginnings of the Navys Top Gun School. As depicted in Stan Stokes painting, a USMC F-8 piloted by Gen. Drax Williams chases a pair of Mig-21s during an A-6 escort mission during the Vietnam War. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOne print available only.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135078748493,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0043.jpg?v=1781873607"},{"product_id":"cold-war-encounter-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Cold War Encounter  by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0046GS. Cold War Encounter  by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e General Dynamics began development of the F-106 Delta Dart in 1955, envisioning it as a modification to the F-102 Delta Dagger. The F-102 had first flown in 1953, and with the aid of a few modifications, that aircraft became capable of supersonic flight. Although similar in overall appearance to the F-12, the 106 had a redesigned fuselage allowing incorporation of the more powerful Pratt \u0026amp; Whitney J75. The J75 put out a maximum thrust of 24,500 pounds giving the F-106 a top speed of 1,525 MPH - almost double that of the F-102. In December of 1957 a 106 set a world speed record. Deliveries were made to the USAF in 1959 and 1960 with some 277 single seat interceptors delivered. Many other two-seater versions were also produced. This aircraft would form the nucleus of Americas all weather defensive fighter force (The Air Defense Command) for many years. The F-106 could climb to 30,000 feet in one minute, had an operational ceiling of 57,000 feet, and a typical combat radius of about 600 miles. Equipped with drop tanks, the 106 had a maximum range of about 1,700 miles. Typical armament consisted of a 20-mm M-61 multi-barrel cannon, and an internal weapon bay capable of carrying a mixture of air-to-air, or air-to-ground missiles. The life of the F-106 was extended by major rebuild programs, which added advanced avionics, improved digital systems, and advanced in-flight refueling capabilities. The F-106 was often referred to as the Cadillac of the Century Series, in reference to the series of F-100 USAF fighters dating back to the F-100. In Stan Stokes painting, appropriately entitled Cold War Encounter, a Russian Tupolev Bear Bomber tests US air defenses over Alaska. An F-106 from the Air Defense Command scrambles to intercept the unwelcome intruder. The Bear is no match for the Delta Dart, and takes a heading to leave US airspace. Designed in the early 1950s the Tupolev Tu-20 Bear bomber may have earned the distinction of being one of the loudest aircraft ever produced. With twin counter-rotating propellers on each of its four turboprop engines, the Bear could make some noise. About 300 of these large Soviet aircraft were produced and many were laden with electronics for probing Americas defensive perimeter during the peak of the Cold War years.  \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee art prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135078781261,"sku":null,"price":294.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0046.jpg?v=1781873610"},{"product_id":"jaws-of-the-dragon-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Jaws of the Dragon  by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0047GS. Jaws of the Dragon  by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e The Republic F-105 Thunderchief, or Thud, as it was nicknamed by many of the pilots who flew it, was conceived as a supersonic, low altitude fighter-bomber capable of carrying a nuclear weapon in its internal bomb bay and two more on its wing stations. The F-105 evolved from a proposal made by Republic to the USAF in 1952. A series of delays, cancellations, spec changes, and other problems resulted in a very long gestation period for this aircraft, with initial production models not reaching operational units until 1958. The Thud was a big, powerful aircraft. With a length of 65 feet and a height of 20 feet, the F-105 would typically fly combat missions with a gross weight at takeoff in excess of 50,000 pounds. Although the F-105 was fortunately never utilized for the nuclear mission it was designed for, it did become the primary tactical bomber utilized by the USAF during the Vietnam War. In fact, the Thud flew more than 75% of all the bombing sorties directed at North Vietnam during the War. The Ham Rong Bridge in North Vietnam was a frequent target for F-105s. Ham Rong translates into English as Dragons Jaws, and this very important north-south rail and highway line was a vital supply link in allowing the North Vietnamese to send streams of men and materials south. The Ham Rong Bridge was 546 feet long and was 56 feet wide. It took eight years to build this incredibly sturdy bridge and Ho Chi Minh himself dedicated the bridge in 1964. SAMs and antiaircraft batteries heavily defended it. Living up to its name, the bridge was one of the most punishing targets to attack, and many American aircraft and pilots were lost during the numerous attacks on the Dragons Jaws. From 1965 to 1968 almost seven hundred aircraft had attacked the bridge, hitting it with more than 10,000 tons of high explosives. Despite these attacks, repair crews worked around the clock, and the bridge remained usable. Rockets proved ineffective and only direct hits with large bombs were likely to do any serious damage. Recognizing this, the North Vietnamese knew that American fighter-bombers would have to pass directly over the Dragons Jaws to release their bombs. A wall of antiaircraft fire would be directed directly over the bridge during such attacks, and a horrific toll was exacted on attacking American aircraft. In Stan Stokes painting an F-105 piloted by Fred V. Cherry is depicted during an attack on the Ham Rong Bridge. Col. Cherry was shot down in October of 1965 and remained a POW until 1973. He retired from the Air Force in 1981. The Dragons Jaw stood as a symbol of North Vietnamese resistance until it was finally destroyed by a laser-guided, smart bomb in 1972. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135078814029,"sku":null,"price":294.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0047.jpg?v=1781873611"},{"product_id":"main-body-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Main Body  by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0083GS. Main Body  by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e Jimmy Doolittles attack on Japan with B-25s launched from the USS Hornet was a blow to Japanese morale, and it gave Admiral Yamamoto the leverage he needed to push for a grandiose plan to inflict a decisive military blow to American forces in the Pacific. Yamamotos grand scheme would have several elements. A huge fleet would be sent to Midway Island to lure American carrier forces into combat. The force would include seven battleships, ten aircraft carriers, some two dozen cruisers and more than seventy destroyers. A separate strikeforce would be sent to the Aleutians under the command of Vice Admiral Hosogaya Moshiro. The plan was for the the northern force to strike first and divert American carrier forces northward away from Midways air support forces where they could be dispatched by Yamamotos overwhelming force. Fortunately for the US Navy a highly skilled group of cryptographers had broken portions of the Japanese Navys secret code. The Americans sent a bogus message to trick the Japanese into revealing the true target of their massive force. While not surprised, the American forces in the Midway area were sadly outnumbered, and good fortune would be needed to offset the Japanese advantage in numbers. The three primary US carriers in the Pacific (Enterprise, Hornet and Yorktown) were readied for the action. Shortly after 9:00 AM on the morning of June 3, 1942, Ensign Jack Reid of VP-44, piloting a PBY Catalina flying boat, spotted the main Japanese invasion force, and shadowed the fleet at low altitude for several hours. Later that day B-17s from Midway Island would attack the invasion fleet followed by a torpedo attack by other PBYs. Early in the morning of June 4 the Japanese launched their first aerial attack on Midway. As the 108 Japanese aircraft approached the island a hodgepodge of all air worthy American aircraft were launched including PBYs, B-17s, Wildcat and Buffalo fighters, Vindicator bombers, B-26 Marauders and SBD Dauntless divebombers. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOne print available only.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135078846797,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0083.jpg?v=1781873604"},{"product_id":"birth-of-a-legend-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Birth of a Legend  by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0086GS. Birth of a Legend  by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e 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. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135078879565,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0086.jpg?v=1781873605"},{"product_id":"destination-tokyo-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Destination Tokyo  by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0088GS. Destination Tokyo  by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e 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. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135078912333,"sku":null,"price":294.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0088.jpg?v=1781873608"},{"product_id":"last-voyage-of-the-yamato-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Last Voyage of the Yamato by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0090GS. Last Voyage of the Yamato by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e The 74,000 ton Yamato and the Musashi were the two largest battleships ever built, and typified the Imperial Japanese Navys attitude that their ships should be superior to anything the United States had. As a comparison the German Battleship Deutschland displaced a mere 15,500 tons. Each of these ships carried nine 18.1 inch guns, the most powerful armament available on any ship at that point in time. The Yamato participated in the attack on Midway,  serving as Admiral Yamamotos flag ship, and many of the other significant sea battles in the Pacific. By the time the Allies were preparing to invade Okinawa, the Japanese had been forced to utilize Kikusui tactics which would involve mass suicide attacks and individual suicide missions. The army had made numerous sacrifices, and senior Japanese naval officers realized that the Yamato would need to be sacrificed in the defense of Okinawa, as a matter of pride. The Yamatos 350-mile trip to Okinawa without any meaningful air cover would be a suicide mission, and the ship and its escort vessels were equipped with only enough fuel for a one-way trip. On April 6, 1945 the huge vessel departed and was immediately sighted by two American submarines, the USS Threadfin and the USS Hackleback. The information was passed on to the USN task force, and on April 7 an F6F from the USS Essex spotted the Yamato and relayed its position back to the USS Indianapolis, the flag ship of Admiral Spruance. An initial attack force of 280 USN aircraft were launched from nine American carriers, followed by a second wave of aircraft from four other carriers. Knowing that the Japanese had no air cover, the F6F Hellcats carried 500 pound bombs, and were joined by Avenger torpedo bombers and Curtis SB2C dive bombers. The Americans had learned from their earlier attack on the Musashi to concentrate torpedo attacks on one side of the giant ship. The Yamato was hit with numerous torpedoes and bombs. By 13:00 the giant battleship was listing 20 degrees to port and her antiaircraft guns were inoperative. At 14:10 another torpedo hit jammed the ships rudder, and the Yamato began to circle at about 8 knots. At 14:23 the Yamato rolled over and exploded in a giant mushroom cloud and sank with the loss of nearly 2,500 men. The Grumman TBF Avenger was the first torpedo bomber produced by that company. It bore a resemblance to the F4F Wildcat, and incorporated a unique internal bomb bay capable of carrying a 2,000 lb torpedo or four 500 lb bombs. The TBF was a big aircraft with a wingspan of 54 feet, and an empty weight of 10,080 lbs. It was capable of 271-MPH with a range of 1,215 miles. The Avenger incorporated a light weight electrically driven rear ball turret. The Avenger was so successful that General Motors was also pressed into service producing the aircraft with their version designated as a TBM. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOne available only.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135078945101,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0090.jpg?v=1781873604"},{"product_id":"rubys-fortress-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Ruby's Fortress by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0097GS. Ruby's Fortress by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e 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. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135078977869,"sku":null,"price":294.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0097.jpg?v=1781873609"},{"product_id":"too-little-too-late-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Too Little Too Late by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0100GS. Too Little Too Late by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOne print available only.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm) \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135079207245,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0100.jpg?v=1781873607"},{"product_id":"no-trains-today-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"No Trains Today by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0101GS. No Trains Today by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOne print available only.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135079240013,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0101.jpg?v=1781873610"},{"product_id":"ill-fated-convoy-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Ill Fated Convoy  by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0110GS. Ill Fated Convoy  by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e In mid-1941 Germany invaded the Soviet Union opening up a second front. Despite its own wartime shortages, the UK realized a moral obligation to send supplies to the USSR. In August of 1941 the first convoy (designated PQ1) sailed from Iceland to the Arctic ports of Archangel and Murmansk. By mid-1942 12 convoys had set sail, with the loss of only merchantman out of 103 that had set sail. Admiral Raeder pressed Hitler for permission to move anti-convoy forces, including the battleship Tirpitz to northern Norway. With these forces in place, PQ16 lost five ships in May of 1942. When PQ17 assembled in Iceland in late June, an impressive force of Cruisers, Destroyers, and Corvettes was assembled under the command of Rear-Admiral Hamilton to provide close-in support. In addition, a battlefleet under the command of the Admiral of the Fleet, Sir John Tover, would shadow the convoy. The Admiralty was fearful of the Tirpitz and believed that if encountered the convoy would scatter and make a run for it. PQ17 set sail on June 27 with 35 merchantmen. On July 1 it was sighted by a Fw-200 Condor and the U-456. An attack by He-115s on July 2 sunk no ships and resulted in the loss of one He-115. Also on the second, the Tirpitz was given orders to relocate. On the 4th another attack claimed only one ship, the Christopher Newport.  On the 5th a flight of 25 Ju-88s and He.111s attacked the convoy with the loss of two more ships. Fearing that the Tirpitz will soon be engaged, the British Admiralty gives the order for the convoy to scatter. Over the next few days the ships become targets of opportunity for both German U-boats and He-115 torpedo bombers. Only 12 of the 35 merchantmen make it unscathed to the Soviet Union.  The Heinkel He.115 had an excellent reputation for reliability, and was capable of making takeoffs and landings in fairly high seas. The aircraft was nearly 57-feet long, and had a wingspan of 73-feet. With twin BMW engines capable of 960-HP the aircraft had a top speed of only 180-MPH. Its ceiling was 17,000-feet and its maximum range was 1,740 miles. The 115C model was produced beginning in 1940. It had a fixed 15-mm cannon mounted under its nose, and a rearward firing machine gun in the rear of each engine nacelle. The company founded by Ernst Heinkel is probably best known for it He.111 medium-bomber, but Heinkel also designed and produced a number of other notable aircraft, not the least of which was the Heinkel He.115, the biggest and most powerful seaplane to see service in WW II. Development on this seaplane started in 1935 in response to a request from the German Air Ministry for a twin-engine, floatplane, torpedo-bomber. Production aircraft came off the assembly line in 1938, but negligible initial German demand, forced Heinkel to look for orders outside of Germany. As a result a number of aircraft were purchased by Denmark, Sweden and Norway.   The He.115 had a very large wing, and a very narrow fuselage. Four of the He.115s that had been purchased by Norway managed to escape to the UK when Norway was invaded. Two of these aircraft were repainted with German markings and were utilized for clandestine operations, such as flying secret agents into Norway. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOne available only.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135079272781,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0110.jpg?v=1781873607"},{"product_id":"long-nose-trouble-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Long Nose Trouble by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0120GS. Long Nose Trouble by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e The Focke-Wulf 190 development project began in 1937. Conceived as a hedge against total dependence on the Messerchmitt 109, the 190 was designed by Kurt Tank utilizing a radial engine. This was against generally accepted design criteria in Germany, and many historians believe that the decision to produce a radial engine fighter was largely due to the limited manufacturing capacity for in-line, water-cooled engines which were widely used on all other Luftwaffe aircraft. Despite these concerns, Tanks design was brilliant, and the 190 would become one of the top fighter aircraft of WW II. The first prototype flew in mid-1939. The aircraft had excellent flying characteristics, a wonderful rate of acceleration, and was heavily armed. By late 1940 the new fighter was ordered into production. Nicknamed the butcher bird,  by Luftwaffe pilots, early 190s were quite successful in the bomber interceptor role, but at this stage of the War many Allied bombing raids lacked fighter escort. As the War dragged on, Allied bombers were increasingly accompanied by fighters, including the very effective P-51 Mustang. The Allies learned from experience that the 190s performance fell off sharply at altitudes above 20,000 feet. As a result, most Allied bombing missions were shifted to higher altitudes when fighter opposition was likely. Kurt Tank had recognized this shortcoming and began working on a high-altitude version of the 190 utilizing an in-line, water-cooled engine. Utilizing a Jumo 12-cylinder engine rated at 1770-HP, and capable of 2,240-HP for short bursts with its methanol injection system, the 190D, or Long Nose or Dora as it was called, had a top speed of 426-MPH at 22,000 feet. Armament was improved with two fuselage and two wing mounted 20mm cannon. To accommodate the changes in power plants the Dora had a longer, more streamlined fuselage, with 24 inches added to the nose, and an additional 19 inches added aft of the cockpit to compensate for the altered center of gravity. By mid 1944 the Dora began to reach fighter squadrons in quantity. Although the aircraft had all the right attributes to serve admirably in the high altitude interceptor role, it was not generally focused on such missions. Instead many 190Ds were assigned to protect airfields where Me-262 jet fighters were based. This was due to the latter aircrafts extreme vulnerability to Allied attack during takeoff and landing. The 190Ds also played a major role in Operation Bodenplatte, the New Years Day raid in 1945 which destroyed approximately 500 Allied aircraft on the ground. The High Command was impressed with the 190Ds record on this raid, and ordered most future production of the Doras to be equipped as fighter-bombers. In retrospect this was a strategic error, and this capable aircraft was not fully utilized in the role for which it was intended. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOne print available only.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135079305549,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0120.jpg?v=1781873605"},{"product_id":"sirens-of-death-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Sirens of Death by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0122GS. Sirens of Death by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e Ernst Udet, the German WW I ace who visited America in the late twenties, was so impressed with the U.S. Navys Curtis Hawk divebombers that he ordered one for evaluation and study by German aircraft manufacturers. This led to the development of Germanys first divebomber the Henchel 123. By 1935 the German Luftwaffe was developing its first monoplane divebomber which entered production in 1936 as the Ju87 Stuka. The Stuka was to evolve into arguably the most successful single engine Axis divebomber of WW II. Utilizing a nearly vertical dive position the Stuka was stunningly accurate in the days when horizontal bombing was a relatively inaccurate science. The Ju87 was built for functionality and ruggedness. A fixed landing gear and exceptionally strong wing design were incorporated and no attempt was made to minimize protrusions. The Stuka was not designed for speed; it was an aerodynamic nightmare. The Stuka also incorporated a siren which when activated during a dive was designed to inflict psychological damage on the enemy below. The Ju87 was used with tremendous success in the Blitzkrieg attacks on Norway, Poland, Belgium, France, Holland, Yugoslavia, and Greece. Virtually unchallenged in the air during these Blitzkriegs the Stukas took a devastating toll on Allied ground and mechanized forces. Shipping was also vulnerable to the pinpoint attacks of the Stuka, and the Ju87 destroyed more Allied shipping than all other German aircraft put together during WW II. During Hitlers air attacks on Britain the Stukas reputation for invulnerability was shattered. Facing British Hurricanes and Spitfires the slower and less maneuverable Ju87s were destroyed in large numbers, eventually forcing their withdrawal from that conflict. Germanys attempt to develop an improved twin engine divebomber resulted in the introduction of the Messerschmitt 210 which was an unmitigated disaster. As a result, the Stuka remained in production longer than expected and the aircraft played a major role in Germanys surprise attack on Russia. In the first day of combat alone Stukas were credited with the destruction of over 700 Russian aircraft with minimal losses. One of Germanys top aces of WW II was Hans-Ulrich Rudel. Rudel flew over 2,500 combat missions in Ju87s, and was shot down on twelve occasions. Rudel was credited with destroying 519 tanks, 800 vehicles, 150 artillery pieces, one Russian battleship, one cruiser and one destroyer. Rudel was also credited with shooting down nine Russian aircraft in air-to-air combat. In his painting, Stan Stokes captures the German ace in action on the Russian front in 1941. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135079403853,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0122.jpg?v=1781873607"},{"product_id":"top-night-fighter-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Top Night Fighter by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0124GS. Top Night Fighter by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e Major Heinz Schnaufer, with 121 victories, was the top-scoring night fighter ace of all time. He became a Luftwaffe pilot in 1942 and obtained his first victory in June of that year. By August his victory count had reached twenty-two and he was put in command of the 9th Staffel of the IV\/BJG1. On the evening of December 16, 1943 Schnaufer downed four RAF Lancaster 4-engine bombers, and on February 21, 1945 he claimed a total of nine Lancasters in one evening. He received the highest award which could be obtained, the Diamonds to the Knights Cross, upon attainment of his 100th victory. Schnaufer survived the War, but was killed in a motoring accident in 1950. As depicted by Stan Stokes in his dramatic painting entitled Top Night Fighter, Schnaufer, who primarily flew the night fighter version of the Messerschmitt Bf-110 Zerstorer, homes in on an RAF Lancaster heavy bomber. The Bf-110 grew out of Herman Gorings specifications for a multipurpose aircraft capable of penetrating deep into enemy airspace to clear the sky of enemy fighters in advance of German bomber formations. The aircraft would also be utilized as a long range interceptor, and as a ground support and ground attack bomber. The Bf-110 prototype first flew in 1936. The prototype was under powered with its Daimier Benz DB 600A engines. Several months passed before a go ahead was given for large scale production which commenced in 1938. Utilizing  improved DB 601 engines, the early production 110s were as fast as any single engine fighter at that time, and had superior fire power. Their biggest apparent weakness was in the areas of armor protection for the crew, and in terms of maneuverability when compared to single seat fighters. The 110 was produced in large numbers and in many different variants. The 110D was the long range model. An additional belly tank was fitted to that aircraft, with several later variants having the more traditional drop tanks. The first serious test for the Bf-110 came during the Battle of Britain. About 300 Bf-110s were involved. They became easy prey for Hurricane and Spitfire pilots, and Bf-109s were often required to assist the 110s in their own defense. On August 15, 1940, which became known as Black Tuesday, the Bf-110s were ravaged by the RAF, and for the month over 100 aircraft were lost. On the Eastern Front the Bf-110 performed admirably in the early stages of Operation Barbarossa. With the Soviet Air Force weakened in the first several weeks of the attack, 110s were effectively utilized in a ground attack role. Ultimately, the Luftwaffe re-equipped a significant number of its 110s as night fighters. The aircraft performed well in this role because it was a good gun platform with sufficient speed to overtake the RAF night bombers. Such night missions were typically carried out with no Allied fighter escort, so the 110 night fighters would not have to engage or elude Allied fighters in this role. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135079469389,"sku":null,"price":294.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0124.jpg?v=1781873605"},{"product_id":"the-brits-get-burned-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"The Brits Get Burned by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0126GS. The Brits Get Burned by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e Twenty-four hours prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Japanese fighters near the Gulf of Siam shot down a RAF Catalina flying boat. The RAF aircraft had stumbled across the Japanese Southern Expeditionary Fleet proceeding to Malaya with a powerful invasion force. With many of its carriers approaching Pearl Harbor, the Japanese invasion force was dependent on land-based air cover. The Japanese Navys 22nd Air Flotilla had relocated to bases in French Indochina. Also within range were Army aircraft flying out of the Saigon area. The Japanese had several hundred aircraft at their disposal. On the British side there was a collection of approximately 150 mostly obsolete and poorly maintained aircraft including Brewster Buffalos, Vildebeast torpedo bombers, Blenheim light bombers, and Hudson patrol aircraft. The British had reinforced their naval forces in the area in November with the arrival of Force Z. Force Z included the old battle cruiser Repulse and the new state-of-the-art battleship Prince of Wales. It had also included the aircraft carrier Indomitable, but that ship had unhappily run aground in the West Indies. Force Z was sent north, under radio silence, to seek out the Japanese invasion force. Guided by some reports from a submarine, a force of 53 Japanese aircraft from the 22nd Air Flotilla took off on a mission to intercept the British force. Flying twin-engine G3M Nell and G4M1 Betty bombers, mostly armed with torpedoes, the Japanese pilots flew southwards through darkness and heavy clouds. Finally spotting something, the aircraft proceeded to attack position, but realized at the last minute that they were preparing to attack Admiral Ozawas flagship. About the same time, Force Z made contact with two scout planes launched from Ozawas cruisers. Disappointed that they had lost any element of surprise, the British force turned back. The next day the force was spotted by Japanese reconnaissance aircraft and their position was established for another attack force of nearly 100 aircraft.  The Repulse was attacked first by a low level bombing run by Nells. Two waves of torpedo bomber attacks then followed. Captain Tennant, the ships commander twisted and swerved his ship, managing to dodge all the torpedoes. A third wave resulted in a single torpedo hit; exposing the old ship to nine more torpedo bombers. Four more torpedoes struck home, and the Repulse rolled over and sunk. The Prince of Wales was attacked by an initial wave of nine torpedo bombers, and suffered two hits. Mortally wounded she was attacked by a second wave of torpedo bombers. This time 4 more torpedoes struck home. She capsized and sank a few hours after the Repulse had preceded her. The demise of the Repulse and the Prince of Wales marked the end of the Battleship Era. Never again could powerful ships feel any security as long as unopposed enemy airpower was in range. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e  Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135079502157,"sku":null,"price":370.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0126.jpg?v=1781873607"},{"product_id":"the-brits-get-burned-by-stan-stokes-gl","title":"The Brits Get Burned by Stan Stokes. (GL)","description":"STK0126GL. The Brits Get Burned by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e Twenty-four hours prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Japanese fighters near the Gulf of Siam shot down a RAF Catalina flying boat. The RAF aircraft had stumbled across the Japanese Southern Expeditionary Fleet proceeding to Malaya with a powerful invasion force. With many of its carriers approaching Pearl Harbor, the Japanese invasion force was dependent on land-based air cover. The Japanese Navys 22nd Air Flotilla had relocated to bases in French Indochina. Also within range were Army aircraft flying out of the Saigon area. The Japanese had several hundred aircraft at their disposal. On the British side there was a collection of approximately 150 mostly obsolete and poorly maintained aircraft including Brewster Buffalos, Vildebeast torpedo bombers, Blenheim light bombers, and Hudson patrol aircraft. The British had reinforced their naval forces in the area in November with the arrival of Force Z. Force Z included the old battle cruiser Repulse and the new state-of-the-art battleship Prince of Wales. It had also included the aircraft carrier Indomitable, but that ship had unhappily run aground in the West Indies. Force Z was sent north, under radio silence, to seek out the Japanese invasion force. Guided by some reports from a submarine, a force of 53 Japanese aircraft from the 22nd Air Flotilla took off on a mission to intercept the British force. Flying twin-engine G3M Nell and G4M1 Betty bombers, mostly armed with torpedoes, the Japanese pilots flew southwards through darkness and heavy clouds. Finally spotting something, the aircraft proceeded to attack position, but realized at the last minute that they were preparing to attack Admiral Ozawas flagship. About the same time, Force Z made contact with two scout planes launched from Ozawas cruisers. Disappointed that they had lost any element of surprise, the British force turned back. The next day the force was spotted by Japanese reconnaissance aircraft and their position was established for another attack force of nearly 100 aircraft.  The Repulse was attacked first by a low level bombing run by Nells. Two waves of torpedo bomber attacks then followed. Captain Tennant, the ships commander twisted and swerved his ship, managing to dodge all the torpedoes. A third wave resulted in a single torpedo hit; exposing the old ship to nine more torpedo bombers. Four more torpedoes struck home, and the Repulse rolled over and sunk. The Prince of Wales was attacked by an initial wave of nine torpedo bombers, and suffered two hits. Mortally wounded she was attacked by a second wave of torpedo bombers. This time 4 more torpedoes struck home. She capsized and sank a few hours after the Repulse had preceded her. The demise of the Repulse and the Prince of Wales marked the end of the Battleship Era. Never again could powerful ships feel any security as long as unopposed enemy airpower was in range. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135079534925,"sku":null,"price":550.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0126.jpg?v=1781873607"},{"product_id":"against-the-tide-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Against the Tide by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0128GS. Against the Tide by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e As dawn broke on the morning of May 10, 1940, an irresistible tide of German armored and aerial might crashed across the frontiers of Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. A combination of paratroopers, fast moving panzer units, truck born infantry, and mobile artillery smashed its way through the dazed and outnumbered defenders. Leading the Luftwaffe assault were waves of fast fighter aircraft, twin-engine bombers, and screaming Stukka dive bombers. Blitzkrieg had arrived. Within four short weeks Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg had all capitulated to the victorious Wermacht, and the British Expeditionary Force had been forced to evacuate at Dunkirk. By the middle of June the battered and demoralized French Army was in full retreat and falling back towards Paris. In desperate attempts to stem the tide, valiant but outnumbered units of the Armee de lAir struck back with great courage against advancing German Panzer divisions, vainly trying to save their beloved capital city. In Stan Stokes painting entitled Against the Tide, French warplanes of two generations rendezvous over Paris before the battle begins. The Detwoitine D.520 was undoubtedly the best French fighter of WW II. Had the armistice not taken place the D.520s career would have paralleled that of its contemporaries in Germany and Britain. Production was slated to reach more than 2,000 aircraft in 1940, and plans had been put in place to have this aircraft produced in America by the Ford Motor Company. In comparative tests with the Bf-109E, the Detwoitine showed superior maneuverability, and plans were adopted for upgrading the power of its engine to provide comparable speed and rates of climb to the 109. Armed with a 20mm nose mounted cannon and four 7.5mm wing-mounted machine guns, the D.520 could obtain a top speed of 332-mph with its 910-HP Hispano-Suiza 12Y45 engine. Among Frances highest scoring fighter pilots who flew the D.520 was Sous-Lieutenanat Pierre Le Gloan. Le Gloan destroyed 11 opposing German and Italian aircraft during the Battle of France and later would fight against the British during the campaign in Vichy-controlled Syria. His final total reached 18 before his death is a flying accident in 1943. Indicative of the dramatic changes in the Armee de lAir at the start of WW II are the obsolescent Bloch MB 210 medium bombers and the Breguet Bre.693 assault aircraft. The MB 210 (numerically the most important French bomber in late 1939) with its severe angularity, slab-sided fuselage, glass-house nose, and birdcage-like turrets was a typical French bomber of the 1930s. With a crew of 5, and a maximum bomb load of 3,500 lbs the 210 had a top speed of only 210-MPH. In contrast, the Bre.693 was a sleek and modern attack aircraft with fighter-like performance. With twin 700-HP radials this heavily armed aircraft was capable of 301-MPH. Many of these aircraft were lost during the Battle of France in low level attacks on German armour. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135079567693,"sku":null,"price":294.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0128.jpg?v=1781873607"},{"product_id":"ivan-the-terrible-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Ivan the Terrible by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0130GS. Ivan the Terrible by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e Hitlers Operation Barbarossa was designed to destroy the Red Army utilizing huge battles of annihilation along a wide front. The plan failed for several reasons, one of which is the fact that they never gained complete air superiority over the Red Army, which showed an amazing ability to produce huge numbers of aircraft despite the destruction of many production plants. Generally speaking, public awareness and information regarding the air war in Russia during WW II is negligible in America. One of Mother Russias greatest pilots was Ivan Kozhedub, and one of its most effective aircraft was the La-7 fighter. S.A Lavochkin teamed with V.P. Gorbunov in 1938 to design and develop a new Soviet fighter. The specification called for a simple, easy-to-build aircraft, which could be built quickly in very large numbers. The design was required to utilized no alloys which might be scarce in a wartime economy. Late in 1940 the La GG-1 prototype was delivered. Although a bit slower than its Mig and Yak rivals, the Lavochkin design had decent maneuverability, and was capable of sustaining a lot of combat damage. By 1942 the La-5FN variant had evolved. The La-5FN had improved performance, handling, and pilot visibility. Utilized in the Battle of Stalingrad the Russians nicknamed the aircraft the Wooden Saver of Stalingrad. The La-5FN was powered by a Shvetson 14 cylinder radial engine capable of 1,700 HP. With a wingspan of only 32 feet the La-5 was one of the smallest and lightest fighters of WW II. This gave the aircraft some unique advantages in dogfighting situations. Lavochkin was awarded a Stalin Prize and his design and production bureau received upgraded status. In 1943 production switched to the La-7, a noticeably more attractive aircraft with a redesigned wing, a relocated oil cooler and supercharger, and heavier armament. The La-7 utilized some light alloys for the first time, and approximately 6,000 aircraft were produced. Capable of speeds of 423 MPH at 10,000 feet.  Many believe that the La-7 may have been the top dogfighting fighter of WW II. In total more than 30,000 Lavochkin fighters were produced. As depicted in Stan Stokes painting entitled Ivan the Terrible, Ivan Kozhedub is piloting his Lavochkin La-7 in a dogfight with a German Fw-190. Ivan Kozhedub, with 62 aerial victories, was the top scoring Allied fighter pilot of WW II. Ivan was assigned to the front in 1943 in time for the Great Battle of Kursk. He was assigned to one of the first units to fly the new Lavochkin La-5 fighters. In July of 1943 Ivan notched his first victory, a Junkers-87. By the end of the Battle of Kursk, Kozhedub had been promoted to Eskadrill Commander, and had been awarded the Order of the Red Banner. In 1944 Ivan was assigned to a crack unit of the 176th Guards IAP. This unit was moved from place to place where they could do the most good, and as a result Kozhedub saw plenty of action. Ivan attained 45 confirmed victories while piloting the La-5, and then 17 additional ones while piloting the La-7, including one over an Me-262 Swallow jet fighter. His last two victories (long-nosed Fw-190s) came near wars end over Berlin. Kozhedub was awarded three Hero of the Soviet Union awards and the Order of Lenin. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 25 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135079600461,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0130.jpg?v=1781873606"},{"product_id":"sink-the-bismarck-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Sink the Bismarck by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0131GS. Sink the Bismarck by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e Commissioned on August 24, 1940, the German battleship Bismarck was the epitome of naval power. The great ship was 823 feet in length, had a beam of 118 feet, and a displacement of 50,000 tons. After nine months of sea trials the Bismarck embarked on its first mission accompanied by the cruiser Prinz Eugen on May 19, 1941. The Bismarcks mission was to destroy and disrupt convoys carrying war relief supplies to Britain from North America. On May 20th the Bismarck was spotted and reported to British intelligence as it passed through the narrow straits between Denmark and Sweden. The British presumed correctly that the Bismarck was headed for the North Atlantic, but by which route? Dividing its naval forces in an attempt to intercept the mighty German battleship, four ships were sent to patrol the Denmark strait, including the newly commissioned battleship Prince of Wales, and the H.M.S. Hood, a heavily armed battle cruiser, pride of the British fleet. On may 23rd the Bismarck was spotted by the H.M.S. Norfolk and the H.M.S. Suffolk. The Bismarck opened fire on the Norfolk, which was out gunned by the German ship, but fortunately was able to elude the Bismarck because of heavy fog and mist. With its position identified British Naval authorities ordered several other ships to the area including the H.M.S. Ark Royal, one of two aircraft carriers dispatched. On May 24th the Bismarck was engaged again. The H.M.S. Hood took a direct hit and exploded with the loss of all but three of its large crew. The Bismarck took two hits from the Prince of Wales during this battle, one of which had the effect of reducing the huge ships effective fuel capacity, and hence range. Later that evening a torpedo plane attack was launched at the German battleship, which sustained one hit with little damage. On May 25th the Bismarck separated from the Prinz Eugen, and set a course for the French coast in hopes of making repairs. On May 26th the Bismarck was located again by a British reconnaissance aircraft. In an attempt to prevent the ship from reaching the safety of Luftwaffe air cover, a second torpedo plane attack was launched from the Ark Royal. Utilizing Fairy Swordfish bi-plane torpedo bombers, two hits were achieved. The first was amidships and caused virtually no damage. The second hit was astern, and resulted in the jamming of the Bismarcks rudder. Unable to maneuver, the great German battleship had little choice that to continue steaming for the French coast. Four more British warships lay in its path including the H.M.S. Rodney, the H.M.S. King George V, the H.M.S. Dorsetshire, and the H.M.S. Norfolk. On the morning of May 27th an enormous sea battle took place, with the unmaneuverable Bismarck taking more than 1,000 direct hits. After losing its fire control system, the Bismarck became a defenseless target. At approximately 10:00 AM Bismarcks Captain gave the orders to scuttle the enormous ship, and about 40 minutes later the great vessel slipped quietly beneath the surface of the Atlantic. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOne print available only.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 12 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135079633229,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0131.jpg?v=1781873606"},{"product_id":"the-exterminator-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"The Exterminator by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0136GS. The Exterminator by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e By mid-1941 it was clear that Hitlers plans to invade Britain were in disarray. The RAF had fought the Luftwaffe to a standoff, and many of Germanys top pilots had been killed or captured. Not willing to admit defeat in his campaign against Britain, Hitler approved the development of a pilotless terror weapon, the VF-1 Vergeltungswaffe (retaliation weapon). Designed by the Feiseler Company, the small pilotless Fi-103 was at times referred to in Britain as the doodlebug, buzz bomb, or farting fury. These flying bombs were inexpensive to build and were capable of carrying an 1870-pound warhead. The Fi-103  was powered by a ram-jet engine, and utilized three air driven gyroscopes to orient the aircraft. A rudimentary pre-set propeller device was utilized to determine when the VF-1 would land. Lacking the accuracy necessary to make it an effective weapon against military targets these doodlebugs were primarily targeted at large population centers. Therefore, they were primarily used as civilian terror weapons, and the RAF was given the assignment of providing the defense against these terror weapons. Early testing revealed many problems with the VF-1, and it was not until March 1944 that most of these problems had been worked out. The final VF-1 production models were capable of speeds in excess of 400 MPH . The high speed of the VF-1, coupled with its small size and large warhead, made it difficult for the RAF to shoot down these doodlebugs. The doodlebug had strong sheet steel skin which deflected machine gunfire, making it necessary to utilize cannon fire. Cannons had more than twice the range of machine guns, but the attacking fighters had to get in close to hit these small, fast targets. If the pilot got in too close the explosion of the VF-1s heavy warhead often disabled the attacking fighter. An alternative was to deflect the doodlebug by maneuvering alongside it, and then by executing a gentle banking maneuver, flip the VF-1, and disrupt its gyros. Generally, this caused the doodlebug to crash in an unpopulated area with little damage. Less than 10% of the buzz bombs were destroyed in this manner, and this technique was only utilized when the pilot had depleted his ammunition. One of the top buzz-bomb exterminators was Wing Commander Roland Beamont who destroyed 32 doodlebugs during his tour of duty. He flew the Tempest V with 150 Wing, which he commanded. The three squadrons of 150 Wing were credited with destroying 630 buzz bombs between June and August of 1944. The Hawker Tempest was the fastest interceptor available, and provided its pilots a highly stable platform for its four 20mm cannon. The Meteor, the RAFs first jet, was utilized briefly as a buzz bomb interceptor, but with only nine kills, it was withdrawn as being unsuitable for this purpose. As depicted in Stan Stokes painting appropriately entitled The Exterminator, Wing Commander Beamont is depicted flying his Tempest V through the debris created by a successful hit on a buzz bomb in July, 1944. The action takes place southeast of London over the tranquil English countryside. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSize 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135079665997,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0136.jpg?v=1781873607"},{"product_id":"war-in-the-atlantic-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"War in the Atlantic by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0139GS. War in the Atlantic by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e During WW I Germany made very effective use of its U-boat fleet in a campaign which almost resulted in Englands defeat. As a result, the Versailles Treaty prohibited Germany from possessing submarines. By the late 1920s Germany had circumvented these restrictions and by the time WW II began, they had several dozen U-boats in service. The period between July of 1940 and December of 1941 was known as the fat years for the U-boat fleet. During this period, aided by the use of French Atlantic ports, and the effective use of wolfpack hunting techniques, German U-boats wreaked havoc on convoys in the Atlantic. By the spring of 1941 the Nazi U-boat fleet numbered 120, and later in the war would exceed 350 in number. The tide began to turn in favor of the Allies in late 1941 when the Royal Navy acquired fifty old destroyers from the U.S., and began an effective campaign against German weather and supply surface ships which supported the undersea hunters. The RAF was also involved, and the Short Sunderland flying boat played an important role in stemming the tide. The Short Brothers acquired one of the first licenses to built Wright biplanes, and eventually began building their own designs, including a number of dirigibles and torpedo planes during WW I. After the war they developed the first British all metal aircraft, the Silver Streak. The company is probably best known for a series of commercial flying boats, the pinnacle of which was their Empire Series of 4-engine, high wing monoplanes which were capable of cruising speeds of 200-MPH. The Short Sunderland was developed in the 1930s for the British Air Ministry as a long-range, all purpose flying boat. It was a large aircraft for its time with a wingspan of 112 feet. More than 700 of these aircraft were produced. During WW II the Sunderland was utilized in the anti-U-Boat role. With its armament upgraded the aircraft earned the nick-name the Flying Porcupine from U-boat crews. When America entered the war, the U-boat command expanded its hunting zone all the way to the East Coast of the United States. For a period the submariners experienced another period of happy times, and in November of 1942 almost 750,000 gross tons of shipping was lost. With production of averaging five new U-boats per week, for a time it appeared that victory in the Atlantic might be obtainable for the Germans. Eventually, the U-boat war was won by the Allies through the use of effective radar technology, the use of the Leigh Light (a powerful airborne searchlight), development of forward firing depth charges, and the use of special techniques to counter the U-boat threat. The U-boats also suffered from a general lack of coordination between its command and that of the Luftwaffe. In May of 1943 a total of 41 U-boats were lost, and by early 1944 more U-boats were being destroyed than Allied merchant ships were being sunk. The men who served in the U-boat command during WW II had the most hazardous of all positions in the War with close to a 75% casualty rate by wars end. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135079698765,"sku":null,"price":294.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0139.jpg?v=1781873611"},{"product_id":"harried-argentineans-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Harried Argentineans by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0147GS. Harried Argentineans by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e On May 1, 1982 two Royal Navy British Aerospace Sea Harrier FRS1s, piloted by F\/Lt. Paul Barton and Lt. Steve Thomas encountered two Argentinean Mirage III fighters near the Falkland Islands. The Mirage fighters were piloted by Capt. Garcia Cuerva and Lt. Carlos Perona. The two jets approached the airspace around Task Force 317, which was sailing to the Falklands to retake them from occupying Argentine forces.  Sea Harriers were launched to intercept the Mirage fighters. The Mirages fired first at about five miles distance, but their missiles failed to lock on to their targets. Turning to the left the Mirage jets soon found the two Harriers on their tails. Barton fell in behind Perona and Thomas took a bead on the jet flown by Cuerva. Firing their Sidewinder, air-to-air, missiles, the Harrier pilots got a hit on Peronas Mirage. Perona ejected from his aircraft and came down in shallow water near West Falkland Island. Cuervas Mirage was damaged by the missile fired by Thomas, and he attempted to fly his damaged aircraft back to his base. Cuerva was unfortunately shot down and killed by his own anti-aircraft fire. During the Falklands War the Brits thoroughly outclassed the Argentine Air Force. The British forces without the loss of a single aircraft downed a total of 22 Argentine aircraft. Lt. Thomas downed three aircraft during the conflict, the most for any one pilot. Although the Harriers had a slower top speed than the aircraft they encountered during the War, they succeeded because their pilots were better trained for air-to-air combat, and their missiles were more effective. The Harrier was the worlds first operational V\/STOL (vertical\/short take-off and landing) aircraft. It evolved from the Hawker P.1127, which first flew in 1960. The Harrier proved itself in combat for the first time during the Falklands War. The aircraft and its pilots demonstrated that the V\/STOL fighter could hold its own against much faster traditional jet fighters, while operating without the use of a traditional airfield. The Sea Harrier FRS1 has a maximum speed of 740-MPH at sea level, a service ceiling of 51,000 feet, a practical combat range of 260 miles, and a maximum ferry range of 2490 miles. Its maximum armament payload is 8,500 pounds (5,000 pounds in vertical take-off mode.) It is armed with two 30mm Aden cannon and 4 Sidewinder missiles. The Harrier has been produced by Hawker Siddley (later British Aerospace) in the UK, and by McDonnell Douglas for the USMC in America. This aircraft is also utilized by the Spanish Naval Air Force - the Armada Espanol. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135079731533,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0147.jpg?v=1781873611"},{"product_id":"in-the-talons-of-eagles-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"In the Talons of Eagles by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0148GS. In the Talons of Eagles by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e The McDonnel Douglas F-15 Eagle has been the USAFs primary air superiority fighter for more than two decades. McDonnell Douglas won the competition to develop this aircraft in 1969 over competing proposals from North American Rockwell and Fairchild Hiller. The Eagle was designed to counter the threat of new Soviet fighters like the Mig-25. The first development versions of the Eagle flew in 1972. Designed as a single pilot, twin-turbofan, all weather fighter, the Eagle had far superior acceleration and maneuverability compared to the aircraft it would replace. The F-15A was capable of speeds in excess of 1600-MPH and had an operational ceiling of nearly 70,000 feet. Although the attack role was a secondary design consideration, the Eagle can carry an impressive bomb load of more than eight tons (externally mounted.)  The F-15 is a large, very sophisticated aircraft, whereas the General Dynamics F-16, a much simpler, smaller, and less complicated design, was planned to compliment the F-15.  On the morning of January 17, 1991 a USAF strike force comprised of F-16s, F-15s, F-4G Wild Weasels, and EF-111s left its airbase at Tabuk and headed for their target area the Al Taqaddum Airfield. Leading a group of eight F-15 Eagles on this mission was USMC Capt. Charles Magill, who was on exchange with the Air Force. On their way to the target area the F-15s from the 58th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing received information from an E-3 AWACS aircraft than a pair of Iraqi Mig-29s were just south of the intended target area. When the Migs turned and became a threat to the task force, Captain Magill split his flight into two four aircraft formations. As he took his flight towards the Migs, the other four F-15s continued to sweep the area for other bogies. As the two Migs turned back into them at a low altitude, Magill fired two AIM-7M Sparrows from a higher altitude at his target. Magill bagged one of the Migs while the second was downed by Captain Rhory Dreger. As a result of their successes during Operation Desert Storm the 58th TFS received the 1990 Hughes Achievement award as the Air Forces most outstanding air-to-air combat squadron. In the hands of some of Americas best pilots, the F-15 Eagle has proven its capabilities against the finest. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135079764301,"sku":null,"price":294.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0148.jpg?v=1781873604"},{"product_id":"way-ahead-of-its-time-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Way Ahead of its Time by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0151GS. Way Ahead of its Time by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e Aviation artist Stan Stokes has appropriately entitled his outstanding painting of an SR-71 Blackbird as, Way Ahead of its Time. The Blackbirds origins, amazingly, date back to the 1950s. At that time the U.S. government was very concerned about nuclear developments in the Soviet Union, and a high altitude reconnaissance aircraft was needed to overfly the Soviet Union. The Lockheed Corporation responded by developing the U-2, which was akin to a high powered glider. The U-2 was based on cost effective adaptations of currently available technologies, and was very effective initially, but as surface-to-air missile capability improved, the U-2 became vulnerable. What was needed was a long-range, very fast, very high altitude aircraft, capable of outrunning Soviet surface-to-air missiles. Mr. Kelly Johnson, Lockheeds project engineer who oversaw the famous skunkworks, presented a proposal to the U.S. government in 1959 regarding the development of a state-of-the-art ultra high speed and ultra high altitude aircraft. The plane, initially designated the A-12, first appeared as the YF-12 interceptor, but the government decided not to fund the YF-12. The design, however, became the SR-71, and the first production Blackbird took to the skies in 1964. The aircraft incorporated many design features never utilized on any aircraft up to that time. For example, at cruising speed the Blackbirds skin would reach nearly 1000 degrees, so the aircraft had to be constructed primarily from a titanium alloy. The SR-71 gets so hot, in fact, that the plane is one foot longer at cruising speed than it is on the ground. For twenty-six years this secretive aircraft held many of the worlds records for both speed and altitude. It is believed that about thirty two Blackbirds were produced, and about twenty of these were still in service with the Air Force in 1990. With the development of more capable satellites, and the high cost of maintaining the Blackbird fleet, the Air Force suspended Blackbird operations in 1990. On the final Air Force flight of a Blackbird, from California to Washington, D.C., this incredible aircraft once again set a speed record in making the trip in only sixty-eight minutes. Mr. Stokes has depicted in his painting a SR-71 Blackbird flying at 80,000 feet and at Mach 3.1 over the west coast of the United States. The plane as depicted is piloted by Col. Robert Powell, who is believed to have logged over 1.0 million miles in his 1,020 hours of flight time. Becoming a Blackbird pilot was about as difficult as becoming an astronaut, and Col. Powell personifies the talented and dedicated pioneers, who much like the Blackbird, were way ahead of their time. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135079797069,"sku":null,"price":394.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0151.jpg?v=1781873608"},{"product_id":"first-flight-of-the-blackbird-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"First Flight of the Blackbird by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0154GS. First Flight of the Blackbird by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e Construction of the first SR-71 Blackbird (61-7950) was completed by Lockheed at its Burbank California Skunk Works in October of 1964. The aircraft was then broken down for shipment to Palmdale, California where it was reassembled. Kelly Johnson, the famous aircraft designer for Lockheed, had oversight responsibility for this project, and Kelly gave specific instructions to Robert Gilliland, the pilot chosen for the first flight of the Blackbird. The first flight was originally scheduled for December 21, 1964. Bad weather had caused a one-day postponement. During the first flight only Gilliland would be on board, and a trio of F-104 fighters would fly chase. Following take off Gilliland performed a number of stability and handling checks. He then took the Blackbird up to 30,000 feet and easily went supersonic (hitting Mach 1.2) before some caution lights came on. Determining that he faced no serious problems Gilliland accelerated to Mach 1.5 and climbed to 50,000 feet. Returning to Palmdale he made a subsonic flyby before lining up for his landing. Gillilands first flight is commemorated in Stan Stokes painting. The first six SR-71s produced were assigned to flight-testing at Edwards AFB. The first successful aerial refueling of a Blackbird occurred on April 25, 1965, and two pilot training aircraft (designated SR-71B) were delivered in 1965. A set back to the program occurred in January 1966 when an SR-71 was lost over New Mexico and a year later the original Blackbird (61-7950) was destroyed when the craft caught fire during braking tests at Edwards.  Overall ten Blackbirds were lost during the first six years of the program. A total of thirty-two SR-71A aircraft were produced. In March of 1990 an SR-71 was flown from California to Washington before being retired to the Smithsonians Air and Space Museum. This flight was interesting because it set a coast-to-coast speed record of 68 minutes. The aircraft took off from Southern California and flew north to rendezvous with a tanker near San Francisco. The craft then flew south while refueling. It passed over its official starting point for the trip near Ventura. Accelerating to Mach 2.5 the Blackbird reached Kansas City in 39 minutes. Climbing to 85,000 feet the aircraft reached a top speed of Mach 3.2 as it passed the official finish line near Baltimore. After slowing to subsonic speeds the bird needed another shot of fuel prior to making its final approach into Dulles Airport. This truly amazing aircraft had once again demonstrated its capabilities more than two decades after its first flight. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSize 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135079829837,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0154.jpg?v=1781873608"},{"product_id":"the-racing-age-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"The Racing Age by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0179GS. The Racing Age by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e From 1927 until the outbreak of WW II, America was captivated by the sport of air racing. Daring young pilots flying the fastest machines in the world competed for prestige and prize money. In their all-out quest for speed the designers and builders of these racing aircraft pushed the envelope of aircraft science, and were responsible for much of the progress in aviation design during this period. The Cleveland National Air Races were first held in late 1929 prior to the Great Stock Market Crash. This ten-day long event drew several 100,000 attendees. One of the features of this show was a fifty-mile, all-out, free-for-all, staged over a five-mile pylon course. This would prove to be the first Thompson Trophy Race, and it was won by Doug Davis flying a TravelAir R monoplane. Davis bested a field of military entrants by a considerable margin. The success of this initial race caused the Thompson Products Co. to petition the NAA with a proposal to make the race a 100-mile event in 1930 with a purse of $10,000, which was an enormous sum at that time. The 1932 Thompson Trophy Race is considered one of the classics in the series. Eight aircraft participated in that race, which was ultimately won by Jimmy Doolittle flying the Gee Bee R-1 racer built by the Granville Brothers in Springfield Massachusetts. Roscoe Turner, one of the great aviation showmen of the era, flew a Gilmore Oil Co. sponsored Wedell-Turner racer. Robert Hall flew his newly designed Hall Bulldog. Jim Wedell participated in his Wedell 44, as did Jim Haizlip flying a Wedell-92. Other participants included Lee Gelbach flying the Gee Bee R-2, William Ong flying his new DGA-5 Ike, and Ray Moore piloting an aluminum Rider R-1. The 1932 Thompson was the only race in which the infamous Gee Bee Model R participated. This aircraft was nasty to fly. Lowell Bayles had won the 1931 Thompson race flying a Gee Bee Z racer. However, Bayles was killed in a flying accident prior to the 1932 competition, and Bob Hall, who was formerly the Granville Brothers chief designer, left the organization to strike out on his own. Not to be left out of the 1932 race, the Granvilles developed two race aircraft the R-1 and R-2. Although similar in appearance, the R-2 was set-up for long distance racing whereas the R-1 was built for speed. The Granvilles sold the R-1 to Russell Boardman who planned to pilot it in the 1932 race. Prior to the race Boardman was hospitalized. Jimmy Doolittle became available to fly  the R-1 after he crash landed his Laird racer on the eve of the races. If anyone could tame the difficult-to-fly R-1, Doolittle was probably the man. When the race began at 5:20 PM Doolittle used half power to maintain control during takeoff. On the first lap Jimmy took the lead despite flying wide turns in order to maintain control. On the second lap the R-1 began to emit a stream of gray-black smoke due to too high rich a fuel mixture. Doolittle continued to pour it on attempting to lap the entire field for a little frosting on his victory. The 1932 Thompson would be Doolittles last, and it was the only Thompson in which the infamous R-1 would compete. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135079862605,"sku":null,"price":420.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0179.jpg?v=1781873650"},{"product_id":"vintage-mustangs-by-stan-stokes-gs","title":"Vintage Mustangs by Stan Stokes. (GS)","description":"STK0195GS. Vintage Mustangs by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e When War broke out in Europe in 1939 the British Government decided to establish a second source for the Curtis P-40 fighter. The Brits approached North American Aviation of Inglewood, California. North Americans manufacturing division was headed by James Dutch Kindelberger, and the division already was involved with Britain in supplying its AT-6 trainers to the RAF. Kindelberger rejected the British proposal and instead offered a new aircraft to be built using the same engine as the P-40, but with an improved more aerodynamic design. In May of 1940 a contract was signed for 320 of the new aircraft, designated NA-73, and North American put Raymond Rice in charge of the design team. The chief designer was Edgar Schmued who had immigrated to America from Germany in 1930. Incorporating a laminar flow wing, and a streamlined design, the NA-73X took to the air in October of 1940 under the control of Vance Breese, the projects test pilot. As production commenced a pair of aircraft were provided the USAAC for evaluation at Wright-Patterson Field in Ohio. Designated the XP-51 by the USAAC, the Brits coined the name Mustang for this new aircraft. About 1,000 Mustangs were produced utilizing the Allison V- 1710-3 9 engine. The aircrafts performance was somewhat disappointing, and the RAF proposed testing this aircraft with the more powerful Rolls Royce Merlin engine. Testing showed dramatic performance improvements, and the P-51 was some reborn with a Packard-built version of the Merlin. More than 3,700 P-5 1 Bs utilizing the Merlin engine were produced. Equipped with underwing drop tanks these Mustangs were now capable of accompanying US bombers deep into enemy airspace. They also were now the equals of anything the Germans could produce when involved in high altitude dog fighting. A number of Americas top fighter aces of the War flew the Mustang, including Col. Henry W. Brown. Brown, a native of Dallas Texas, flew a P-51B nicknamed the Hun Hunter from Texas. Brown had been assigned to the 355th Fighter Group of the Eighth Air Force in 1943. His first combat tour, flying the P-47 Jug, yielded 4.5 enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground. On his second combat tour Brown began flying the Mustang. He attained 14.2 confirmed aerial victories, and a total of 28.7, prior to being shot down and captured in October of 1944. Following the War, and his release from prisoner of war camp, Brown remained in the Air Force. He commanded a number of fighter units prior to his retirement in 1974. The Ford Mustang was introduced in April 1964 at the New York Worlds Fair. It was the most successful new car of the 1960s with nearly 700,000 sold between mid-1964 and December 1965. Spearheading this incredible success was Lee A. lacocca, a straight-talking former car salesman, who had risen rapidly in the Ford organization. In many ways the Mustang was similar to the first Ford Thunderbirds of 1955-57, yet this automobile had its own unique identity. Powered by either a 101 HP 170 cu. inch six, or a 164 HP V-8, a long list of options allowed consumers to tailor their Mustang to their own tastes. The original Mustang was a brilliant design and much of the credit goes to Joe Oros, Gale Halderman, and L. David Ash of the Ford Division Styling Studio. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135079895373,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0195.jpg?v=1781873649"},{"product_id":"pappys-p-40-by-stan-stokes-ap","title":"Pappys P-40 by Stan Stokes. (AP)","description":"STK0165AP. Pappys P-40 by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e SLIGHT CORNER DAMAGE ON BORDER, SEE PHOTOS BELOW, NOT VISIBLE WHEN FRAMED.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOnly one print of this edition remains. (slight damage see photos below) \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSigned by Pappy Boyington. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e  Signed Artist Proof, one of very few made available. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135329685837,"sku":null,"price":600.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0165.jpg?v=1781873608"},{"product_id":"war-in-the-atlantic-by-stan-stokes-c","title":"War in the Atlantic by Stan Stokes. (C)","description":"STK0139C. War in the Atlantic by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e During WW I Germany made very effective use of its U-boat fleet in a campaign which almost resulted in Englands defeat. As a result, the Versailles Treaty prohibited Germany from possessing submarines. By the late 1920s Germany had circumvented these restrictions and by the time WW II began, they had several dozen U-boats in service. The period between July of 1940 and December of 1941 was known as the fat years for the U-boat fleet. During this period, aided by the use of French Atlantic ports, and the effective use of wolfpack hunting techniques, German U-boats wreaked havoc on convoys in the Atlantic. By the spring of 1941 the Nazi U-boat fleet numbered 120, and later in the war would exceed 350 in number. The tide began to turn in favor of the Allies in late 1941 when the Royal Navy acquired fifty old destroyers from the U.S., and began an effective campaign against German weather and supply surface ships which supported the undersea hunters. The RAF was also involved, and the Short Sunderland flying boat played an important role in stemming the tide. The Short Brothers acquired one of the first licenses to built Wright biplanes, and eventually began building their own designs, including a number of dirigibles and torpedo planes during WW I. After the war they developed the first British all metal aircraft, the Silver Streak. The company is probably best known for a series of commercial flying boats, the pinnacle of which was their Empire Series of 4-engine, high wing monoplanes which were capable of cruising speeds of 200-MPH. The Short Sunderland was developed in the 1930s for the British Air Ministry as a long-range, all purpose flying boat. It was a large aircraft for its time with a wingspan of 112 feet. More than 700 of these aircraft were produced. During WW II the Sunderland was utilized in the anti-U-Boat role. With its armament upgraded the aircraft earned the nick-name the Flying Porcupine from U-boat crews. When America entered the war, the U-boat command expanded its hunting zone all the way to the East Coast of the United States. For a period the submariners experienced another period of happy times, and in November of 1942 almost 750,000 gross tons of shipping was lost. With production of averaging five new U-boats per week, for a time it appeared that victory in the Atlantic might be obtainable for the Germans. Eventually, the U-boat war was won by the Allies through the use of effective radar technology, the use of the Leigh Light (a powerful airborne searchlight), development of forward firing depth charges, and the use of special techniques to counter the U-boat threat. The U-boats also suffered from a general lack of coordination between its command and that of the Luftwaffe. In May of 1943 a total of 41 U-boats were lost, and by early 1944 more U-boats were being destroyed than Allied merchant ships were being sunk. The men who served in the U-boat command during WW II had the most hazardous of all positions in the War with close to a 75% casualty rate by wars end. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe original signatures of : Flt. Lt. John Bishop, Sqn. Ldr. Alan Nicoll, Wg. Cdr. A.W.L. Paddy Mahon MBE, C. Eng. MRAeS and Wg. Cdr. V. Hodgkinson DFC, MID, MRAeS. are supplied as loose clipped signatures - you can mount these signatures in a border before framing to enhance your print.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSignature Special edition of 2 prints from the limited edition of 4750 prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135527833933,"sku":null,"price":240.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0139.jpg?v=1781873611"},{"product_id":"something-to-write-home-about-by-stan-stokes","title":"Something to Write Home About by Stan Stokes.","description":"STK0001. Something to Write Home About by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e The 94th and 95th Pursuit Squadrons of the U.S. Army Air Service were the first American units to see action in WW I following Americas entry into the War. The units were assigned in March of 1918 to a former French aerodrome at Villeneuve, which was located about twenty miles behind the front line. The 94th had several experienced pilots who had flown with the Lafayette Escadrille, including Major Raoul Lufbery, who had become the top American ace with the Lafayette Escadrille. The weather in March was poor for flying, and the 94th lacked appropriately equipped aircraft to oppose attacking German planes. However, the unit could hear the thunder of heavy guns in the distance, and when it was clear a string of observation balloons could be seen in the distance. Rumors of German advances startled the young flyers of the 94th, and compounded their frustrations. On March 30 the unit was moved further back from the lines to an aerodrome adjacent to the small village of Epiez. In early April guns finally arrived for the units Neuport 28s. Major Huffer, commander of the squadron, suggested the hat-in-the-ring insignia for the unit which was drawn-up by Lt. J. Wentworth. On the morning of April 14, the 94th planned to fly its first combat sortie. Two of the pilots, Lt. Douglas Campbell and Lt. Alan Winslow were to keep a sharp lookout at the aeodrome for enemy fighters. Unfortunately the weather on the morning of the 14th was marginal with a heavy mist, and the mission was partially aborted. Later that morning two enemy aircraft buzzed the aerodrome, and Winslow and Campbell rushed to their waiting machines. Within a few minutes Alan Winslow had bagged a Hun, and shortly thereafter Campbell was successful at downing the other aircraft. Both enemy machines fell right on the doorstep of the aerodrome. These were the first two enemy aircraft downed by pilots flying for the American Air Service. It appears that the enemy pilots became disoriented in the bad weather and mistook the 94ths aerodrome for their own. This double victory for the Americans brought joy to the members of the American Air Service and to the local inhabitants would had withstood unopposed attacks by enemy aircraft. The young Winslow, who received the Croix de Guerre, wrote his parents a letter on April 17, 1918 describing the incident and all the commotion made thereafter, in which he indicated that the 14th of April was the, happiest day of my life. Cables poured in from all across the United States, and as Eddie Rickenbacker pointed out in his Fighting the Flying Circus, It was particularly fortunate for the squadron that such an extraordinary success should have marked the very first day of our operations ..... the episode put great confidence into all of us and we felt that we were a match for the whole German Air Force. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Signed limited edition of 4750 prints.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54136142496077,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0001.jpg?v=1781873607"},{"product_id":"something-to-write-home-about-by-stan-stokes-b","title":"Something to Write Home About by Stan Stokes. (B)","description":"STK0001B. Something to Write Home About by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e The 94th and 95th Pursuit Squadrons of the U.S. Army Air Service were the first American units to see action in WW I following Americas entry into the War. The units were assigned in March of 1918 to a former French aerodrome at Villeneuve, which was located about twenty miles behind the front line. The 94th had several experienced pilots who had flown with the Lafayette Escadrille, including Major Raoul Lufbery, who had become the top American ace with the Lafayette Escadrille. The weather in March was poor for flying, and the 94th lacked appropriately equipped aircraft to oppose attacking German planes. However, the unit could hear the thunder of heavy guns in the distance, and when it was clear a string of observation balloons could be seen in the distance. Rumors of German advances startled the young flyers of the 94th, and compounded their frustrations. On March 30 the unit was moved further back from the lines to an aerodrome adjacent to the small village of Epiez. In early April guns finally arrived for the units Neuport 28s. Major Huffer, commander of the squadron, suggested the hat-in-the-ring insignia for the unit which was drawn-up by Lt. J. Wentworth. On the morning of April 14, the 94th planned to fly its first combat sortie. Two of the pilots, Lt. Douglas Campbell and Lt. Alan Winslow were to keep a sharp lookout at the aeodrome for enemy fighters. Unfortunately the weather on the morning of the 14th was marginal with a heavy mist, and the mission was partially aborted. Later that morning two enemy aircraft buzzed the aerodrome, and Winslow and Campbell rushed to their waiting machines. Within a few minutes Alan Winslow had bagged a Hun, and shortly thereafter Campbell was successful at downing the other aircraft. Both enemy machines fell right on the doorstep of the aerodrome. These were the first two enemy aircraft downed by pilots flying for the American Air Service. It appears that the enemy pilots became disoriented in the bad weather and mistook the 94ths aerodrome for their own. This double victory for the Americans brought joy to the members of the American Air Service and to the local inhabitants would had withstood unopposed attacks by enemy aircraft. The young Winslow, who received the Croix de Guerre, wrote his parents a letter on April 17, 1918 describing the incident and all the commotion made thereafter, in which he indicated that the 14th of April was the, happiest day of my life. Cables poured in from all across the United States, and as Eddie Rickenbacker pointed out in his Fighting the Flying Circus, It was particularly fortunate for the squadron that such an extraordinary success should have marked the very first day of our operations ..... the episode put great confidence into all of us and we felt that we were a match for the whole German Air Force. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOnly one print remains of this sold out edition.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee art prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54136142594381,"sku":null,"price":135.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0001.jpg?v=1781873607"},{"product_id":"early-night-raiders-by-stan-stokes","title":"Early Night Raiders by Stan Stokes.","description":"STK0002. Early Night Raiders by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e One of the strategies utilized by the German military in WW I was the terror bombing of civilian targets in hopes of swaying popular opinion to permit favorable peace terms to be exacted. While this strategy was flawed, the principal instrument utilized in its implementation early in the War was the dirigible. While dirigibles had the range to hit targets in Britain, they became increasingly vulnerable to attack as fighter aircraft and ammunitions performance improved. One of the most successful developers and builders of these dirigibles was Count von Zeppelin. Zeppelin was a visionary in airship and aircraft design, and by the time WW I had begun his interest had largely shifted from lighter-than-air airships to more conventional aircraft designs. Zeppelin was well aware that his giant dirigibles had severe limitations in a military role, including their large size, slow speed, small payload capacity, and most important their high flammability. What was needed was a conventional aircraft capable of flying round-trip to strategic military targets that could carry a meaningful payload. Such aircraft would have to be fast enough and have sufficient defensive armament to evade or fend off enemy pursuit aircraft to complete their missions. The most impressive and successful aircraft in this class were built by the Zeppelin-Werke Staaken, a company formed by Zeppelin in Berlin with Robert Bosch as his partner. The company's first goal was to develop a long-range, six-engine, bomber\/transport. By late 1915 German military authorities recognized the need for such aircraft and laid down specifications for their design. Included in the specs were the unique requirements for oxygen apparatus, in-flight servicing of the engines, and for both onboard navigational and communications apparatus. Called R-planes by the military, Zeppelin produced a series of three giants, commonly all referred to as Zeppelin-Staakens. Only one of the R-planes was actually downed by opposing fighters. The R.43 was downed while flying a night bombing mission on August 10, 1918 near Abbeville, England. The R. V series was the largest of the series, but only one aircraft was produced. With a wingspan in excess of 138 feet, it was powered by five 245-HP Maybach engines. Its gross weight at takeoff of more than 28,000 pounds was 15 to 20 times that of a typical fighter aircraft. Despite its size the wing loading of the Zeppelin-Staakens compared favorably to most fighter aircraft of the era. Shown in Stan Stokes' painting is a Zeppelin-Staaken R. VI, the blunt-nosed, 4-engine, version of the German giants. This was the most widely built version of the Zeppelin-Staaken series. Preparing for a night bombing mission at dusk, the crew readies the massive aircraft for a long flight to a target in Britain.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Signed limited edition of 4750 prints.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm)  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54136142627149,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0002.jpg?v=1781873610"},{"product_id":"early-night-raiders-by-stan-stokes-b","title":"Early Night Raiders by Stan Stokes. (B)","description":"STK0002B. Early Night Raiders by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e One of the strategies utilized by the German military in WW I was the terror bombing of civilian targets in hopes of swaying popular opinion to permit favorable peace terms to be exacted. While this strategy was flawed, the principal instrument utilized in its implementation early in the War was the dirigible. While dirigibles had the range to hit targets in Britain, they became increasingly vulnerable to attack as fighter aircraft and ammunitions performance improved. One of the most successful developers and builders of these dirigibles was Count von Zeppelin. Zeppelin was a visionary in airship and aircraft design, and by the time WW I had begun his interest had largely shifted from lighter-than-air airships to more conventional aircraft designs. Zeppelin was well aware that his giant dirigibles had severe limitations in a military role, including their large size, slow speed, small payload capacity, and most important their high flammability. What was needed was a conventional aircraft capable of flying round-trip to strategic military targets that could carry a meaningful payload. Such aircraft would have to be fast enough and have sufficient defensive armament to evade or fend off enemy pursuit aircraft to complete their missions. The most impressive and successful aircraft in this class were built by the Zeppelin-Werke Staaken, a company formed by Zeppelin in Berlin with Robert Bosch as his partner. The company's first goal was to develop a long-range, six-engine, bomber\/transport. By late 1915 German military authorities recognized the need for such aircraft and laid down specifications for their design. Included in the specs were the unique requirements for oxygen apparatus, in-flight servicing of the engines, and for both onboard navigational and communications apparatus. Called R-planes by the military, Zeppelin produced a series of three giants, commonly all referred to as Zeppelin-Staakens. Only one of the R-planes was actually downed by opposing fighters. The R.43 was downed while flying a night bombing mission on August 10, 1918 near Abbeville, England. The R. V series was the largest of the series, but only one aircraft was produced. With a wingspan in excess of 138 feet, it was powered by five 245-HP Maybach engines. Its gross weight at takeoff of more than 28,000 pounds was 15 to 20 times that of a typical fighter aircraft. Despite its size the wing loading of the Zeppelin-Staakens compared favorably to most fighter aircraft of the era. Shown in Stan Stokes' painting is a Zeppelin-Staaken R. VI, the blunt-nosed, 4-engine, version of the German giants. This was the most widely built version of the Zeppelin-Staaken series. Preparing for a night bombing mission at dusk, the crew readies the massive aircraft for a long flight to a target in Britain. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eJust two of this print edition now available.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee art prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54136142692685,"sku":null,"price":145.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0002.jpg?v=1781873610"},{"product_id":"moonlight-renegade-by-stan-stokes","title":"Moonlight Renegade by Stan Stokes.","description":"STK0003. Moonlight Renegade by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e On July 2, 1900 Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin piloted his first rigid-framed, lighter-than-air ship over Lake Constance in Germany. Seventeen years later, on June 16, 1917, Zepellins latest creation, the L-48, was readied at Nordholz, Germany for its first combat mission. The huge L-48 was one of the newest and most technically advanced German airships. Powered by five 250 HP Maybach engines, the great airship could carry 6,000 pounds in bombs, and was manned by a crew of nineteen. For this maiden mission the commodore of the North Sea Airship Division, Victor Schutze, would be joining the L-48s skipper Kapitain-lieutenant Franz George Eichler. Early in the afternoon the L-48 commenced its mission along with several other airships from the Nordholz base. The great Zeppelin would cruise at 60 MPH at 5,000 to 10,000 feet and would ascend to approximately 20,000 feet when approaching its target. This altitude would provide an effective defense against both anti-aircraft or British fighters. RAF Captain Robert Saundby,  had returned from the front, to be put in charge of a very small RFC squadron at Oxford Ness. June 16 was a cloudless night, perfect for a Zeppelin attack., and at 11:15 PM Saundby launched his two active aircraft equipped with incendiary machine gun bullets. As he gazed up at the stars at 1:00 AM Saundby was startled to see a huge zeppelin outlined by searchlights only a few miles away. Awakening two of his mechanics, Saundby instructed them to fire up his single-seat DH2 fighter. Although obsolete and not equipped for night fighting, Saundby, who had never flown at night, got the little pusher-propeller fighter in the air, and began a long ascent. After fifteen minutes of flying Saundby spotted the L-48, which was by now attracting anti-aircraft fire which was exploding several thousand feet below the great airships altitude. For an hour or so, Saundby tried to coax every bit of altitude out of his little DH2, but he could not get in range. At around 3:00AM  the L-48 completed its bombing runs, and the Captain set a due north course. With dawn only an hour away, Captain Eichler was anxious to get out of British airspace. A report from an observation airship which had accompanied the strike force that evening indicated favorable winds at 13,000 feet. Captain Eichler gave the orders to descend. Meanwhile, Captain Saundby who had fought the cold and wind while tailing the L-48 for nearly three hours, was startled to see the great airship descending. Pushing his DH2 to the limit, Saundby emptied 8 canisters of incendiaries at the L-48. Recognizing the attack the L-48 dumped ballast, and immediately began to ascend. Saundbys last few round met their target and the L-48 erupted. Saundby felt the surge of heat and light, and struggled to keep his little craft under control. Within minutes the L-48s maiden mission was over, as Saundby circled the 750 foot long fireball which had come down at Westford. Amazingly, two of the L-48s crewmembers survived, the only people to ever survive a zeppelin which had been ignited. One of these survivors, Kapitanlieuntenant Meith wrote a letter describing the L-48s fateful misssion, providing much of the historical basis for this incident.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Signed limited edition of 4750 prints.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54136142725453,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0003.jpg?v=1781873604"},{"product_id":"the-fokker-scourge-by-stan-stokes","title":"The Fokker Scourge by Stan Stokes.","description":"STK0004. The Fokker Scourge by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e Anthony Herman Gerard Fokker was born in the Dutch East Indies in 1890. When his father retired the Fokker family returned to Holland, where Anthony attended school. He dropped out of college, and being deemed unfit for military service, worked at a number of odd jobs. Fokkers father persuaded his son to attend an automobile mechanics school in Germany, but Anthony was disappointed and convinced his father to enroll him in a school near Mainz which offered courses in aircraft construction and flying. This endeavor was not particularly successful, and Anthony decided to build his own flying machine. He found a partner in Oberlieutenant Von Daum, a fifty-year-old officer in the German military. The aircraft was completed in 1910, and Fokker flew it successfully on a number of flights. Von Daum, unfortunately, destroyed the machine on his first attempt at flying it. The two partners then teamed with a boat-builder to construct a second aircraft. In early 1912 Anthony had organized  Fokker Aviatik GmbH with money advanced from his father. Fokker won his first contract for military aircraft in July 1913. Fokker became interested in the design of the Moraine-Saulnier, which exhibited flying characteristics far superior to the early Fokker designs. The Fokker M.5 (Eindecker I) emerged from the reengineering of a damaged Moraine-Sualnier. With the outbreak of WW I, the German military ordered large numbers of this aircraft for use as a scout. These Fokker scouts were good machines and well-liked by the pilots that flew them. Early in 1915 the French equipped their scouts with forward firing machine guns, and German losses in aerial combat increased sharply. The French system was simplistic and utilized shields on the propeller to deflect soft copper shells. Anthony Fokkers company was the first to introduce a workable machine gun synchronizer which would allow steel bullets to be used. The German military ordered the new Fokker fighter in large numbers, and by late 1915 the tide had shifted dramatically in favor of the Germans. The British press coined the term Fokker Scourge to describe this new menace which was increasing casualties to unprecedented numbers. Oswald Boelcke, and Max Immelmann were two German pilot aces who became very popular. Immelmann is depicted in Stan Stokes painting executing the aerial maneuver which took his name. Immelman received the Blue Max (Pour le Merite) to add to his Iron Cross following his eighth victory on January 12, 1916. He would officially be credited with fifteen victories prior to his death in June of 1916. The Germans maintained that a defective gun synchronizer caused Immelmann to shoot off his own propeller.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Signed limited edition of 4750 prints.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm)  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54136142790989,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0004.jpg?v=1781873606"},{"product_id":"the-fokker-scourge-by-stan-stokes-b","title":"The Fokker Scourge by Stan Stokes. (B)","description":"STK0004B. The Fokker Scourge by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e Anthony Herman Gerard Fokker was born in the Dutch East Indies in 1890. When his father retired the Fokker family returned to Holland, where Anthony attended school. He dropped out of college, and being deemed unfit for military service, worked at a number of odd jobs. Fokkers father persuaded his son to attend an automobile mechanics school in Germany, but Anthony was disappointed and convinced his father to enroll him in a school near Mainz which offered courses in aircraft construction and flying. This endeavor was not particularly successful, and Anthony decided to build his own flying machine. He found a partner in Oberlieutenant Von Daum, a fifty-year-old officer in the German military. The aircraft was completed in 1910, and Fokker flew it successfully on a number of flights. Von Daum, unfortunately, destroyed the machine on his first attempt at flying it. The two partners then teamed with a boat-builder to construct a second aircraft. In early 1912 Anthony had organized  Fokker Aviatik GmbH with money advanced from his father. Fokker won his first contract for military aircraft in July 1913. Fokker became interested in the design of the Moraine-Saulnier, which exhibited flying characteristics far superior to the early Fokker designs. The Fokker M.5 (Eindecker I) emerged from the reengineering of a damaged Moraine-Sualnier. With the outbreak of WW I, the German military ordered large numbers of this aircraft for use as a scout. These Fokker scouts were good machines and well-liked by the pilots that flew them. Early in 1915 the French equipped their scouts with forward firing machine guns, and German losses in aerial combat increased sharply. The French system was simplistic and utilized shields on the propeller to deflect soft copper shells. Anthony Fokkers company was the first to introduce a workable machine gun synchronizer which would allow steel bullets to be used. The German military ordered the new Fokker fighter in large numbers, and by late 1915 the tide had shifted dramatically in favor of the Germans. The British press coined the term Fokker Scourge to describe this new menace which was increasing casualties to unprecedented numbers. Oswald Boelcke, and Max Immelmann were two German pilot aces who became very popular. Immelmann is depicted in Stan Stokes painting executing the aerial maneuver which took his name. Immelman received the Blue Max (Pour le Merite) to add to his Iron Cross following his eighth victory on January 12, 1916. He would officially be credited with fifteen victories prior to his death in June of 1916. The Germans maintained that a defective gun synchronizer caused Immelmann to shoot off his own propeller. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Limited edition of 100 giclee art prints. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54136142856525,"sku":null,"price":145.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0004.jpg?v=1781873606"},{"product_id":"fast-and-furious-by-stan-stokes","title":"Fast and Furious by Stan Stokes.","description":"STK0005. Fast and Furious by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e Thomas Sopwith was a distinguished British aviator who organized the Sopwith Aviation Company. Sopwith produced an aircraft which won the coveted Schneider Trophy race. With the start of WW I, Sopwith Aviation shifted its focus to military aircraft, and was to become one the major suppliers to both the Royal Air Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. In October of 1914 two Sopwith Tabloids flew a 200-mile round trip strike against the airship sheds at Dusseldorf and Cologne. The Sopwith Strutter firmly entrenched Sopwith as a producer of quality-built aircraft. The Strutter was a precursor of the Sopwith Pup, which would serve as the Royal Navys first carrier aircraft. The first production Pup was delivered to the Royal Navy in 1916. Most Pups were powered by a 80-HP Le Rhone radial engine, which gave the Pup a top speed of 115-MPH and an endurance of three hours. Many Navy Pups were modified to utilize a tripod mounted Lewis gun which could be fired forward or upwards through a cutout in the upper wing. Sopwith Pups were also utilized on battlecruisers. In fact, a Pup launched from the HMS Yarmouth downed the Zeppelin L.23 in August of 1917. The Royal Navys HMS Furious was the first dedicated aircraft carrier in the world. The Furious was initially laid down as a battlecruiser, but the design was modified during construction to include a flying deck forward of the main bridge. This configuration allowed aircraft to be launched as the Furious steamed into the wind. An attempt at recovery  by having aircraft side slip on to the deck proved ineffective with one of the early attempts resulting in the death of the pilot, Squadron Commander E. H. Dunning, who had made the worlds first successful carrier landing on a ship underway only days earllier. The Royal Navy decided to further modify the Furious by adding a second deck aft of the bridge. The fore and aft decks were connected by a narrow ramp on either side of the funnel and bridge, and this permitted aircraft to be to moved between the two decks. Sets of longitudinal wires were set across the aft deck, and were designed to catch the skids of the Sopwith Pups during landings.  Recovering aircraft was still tricky, and a rope barrier was erected aft of the mainmast to prevent aircraft which overshot from crashing into the superstructure of the ship. The first carrier-based naval air strike in history was carried out against the Zeppelin hangars at Tondern by the Furious on July 19, 1918. Seven Sopwith Camels, each carrying two 50-pound bombs were utilized for this mission. This important moment in the history of naval aviation is captured magnificently in Stan Stokes highly detailed painting entitled Fast and Furious.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Signed limited edition of 4750 prints.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54136142954829,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0005.jpg?v=1781873612"},{"product_id":"gotcha-by-stan-stokes","title":"Gotcha by Stan Stokes.","description":"STK0006. Gotcha by Stan Stokes. \u003cp\u003e World War I was the first major conflict in which the airplane became a practical instrument of war. However, because of the slow speeds, small armaments, limited fuel capacities and light weights of these aircraft many pilots survived being shot down many times. These were the glory days for early aviators with pilots from both sides having tremendous status amongst both their peers and their adversaries. In Gotcha, Stan Stokes has captured the camaraderie and good sportsmanship shown by the military pilots of the time. In a beautiful scene Stokes shows the downed German aviator dripping from the unscheduled bath just inflicted upon him, as a Spad piloted by Eddie Rickenbacker, Americas top ranking ace, passes overhead for a last look. Steam is rising from the engine of the downed Fokker D VII, which was arguably one of the finest fighter planes of World War I. About 700 Fokker D VIIs were produced during the War, and the aircraft was capable of speeds of 125 MPH with a range of 134 Miles. The D VII was constructed with welded tubing and was fabric covered. Most variants were armed with two 7.9 mm machine guns. Rickenbacker, as a very young man, was involved in automobile racing and engineering, and in 1914 he set a worlds speed record of 134 MPH in a Blitzen-Benz racer. Rickenbacker was in England when WW I began, and while there he became interested in Britains progress in aviation. Returning to the States Rickenbacker figured that his expertise in driving race cars should make him a great pilot, but the best he could do was get himself assigned as General Pershings personal chauffeur. In August 1917 Rickenbacker finally got his wish and was transferred to the Army Air Corp, and by 1918 he was assigned to combat duty. Although bothered by an ear infection which led to his hospitalization in Paris for two months in 1918, Rickenbackers achievements were impressive. In the month of October 1918 alone, he was credited with ten kills, Rickenbacker is pictured by Stokes flying a Spad S.13 which was the best French-built fighter of the War. The S.13 was produced in large numbers (8,472) and was capable of 138 MPH with a range of 250 miles. The Spad S.13 was armed with twin 0.303 inch machine guns. Rickenbackers squadron was nicknamed the Hat in the Ring gang. After the War Rickenbacker had a very successful business career, and he served as Chairman of Eastern Airlines.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Signed limited edition of 4750 prints.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm)  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54136142987597,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWstk0006.jpg?v=1781873607"}],"url":"https:\/\/militaryaviationartprints.com\/collections\/artist-stan-stokes.oembed?page=3","provider":"Military Aviation Art Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}