{"product_id":"hellcat-fury-by-robert-taylor-ap","title":"Hellcat Fury by Robert Taylor (AP)","description":"NT7AP. Hellcat Fury by Robert Taylor.\u003cp\u003e Truk, the small atoll in the South Pacific, was the major anchorage for the Japanese Fleet. Comprising a magnificent harbor and four heavily defended airfields, it was thought impregnable by the US forces as they fought their way up through the Pacific. But on 16-17 February 1944 a violent two-day aerial assault by carrierborne aircraft of Task Force 58 exploded the myth. In just two days the US Navy flyers sunk over 200,000 tons of Japanese naval shipping and destroyed an estimated 275 enemy aircraft, totally eliminating all effectiveness of the Japanese base. Light as the US Navy losses were only 25 aircraft failed to return the battle for Truk was ferocious. The ground installations, ships, and airfield batteries put up intense antiaircraft fire against the attacking American aircraft, while Zeros did their best to repel the onslaught. The air above the atoll became a maelstrom of flak, tracer, flying lead and shrapnel, while below huge explosions rocked the ground as ammo and fuel dumps were hit, fires raged, and the acrid smoke of battle pervaded the entire area. In this important new painting, his first featuring the F6F Hellcat, Robert Taylor brings to life the scenario that was crucial to Admiral Spruances forceful drive through the Central Pacific. The once feared Japanese base at Truk is being reduced to a statistic of war. Hellcats of VF6 hurtle across the lagoon at masthead height with guns blazing, creating havoc as they tear into the enemy positions below. Seen in the foreground is the F6F-3 of Lt. Alex Vracui, subsequently to become one of the Navys top guns. This exhilarating work dramatically conveys the awesome conditions endured day after day by the pilots of the US Navy and Marine Corps in the Pacific. \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSigned by Commander Willis E Hardy USN, \u003cbr\u003eCommander Hamilton McWhorter USN (deceased), \u003cbr\u003eCommander Alex Vraciu USN (deceased), \u003cbr\u003eCommander John Ted Crosby USN, \u003cbr\u003eColonel Archie G Donahue USMC (deceased), \u003cbr\u003eLt Commander Fred Buck Dungan USN, \u003cbr\u003eLt Commander James E Duffy USN, \u003cbr\u003eCaptain John R Strane USN (deceased) \u003cbr\u003eand \u003cbr\u003eCommander Ed Wendy Wendorf USN. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e War in the Pacific Edition.  Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Paper size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Military Aviation Art Prints","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135328407885,"sku":null,"price":395.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5449\/9149\/files\/2026NEWnt0007.jpg?v=1781873374","url":"https:\/\/militaryaviationartprints.com\/products\/hellcat-fury-by-robert-taylor-ap","provider":"Military Aviation Art Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}