Show of Strength by Stan Stokes.

Following The War to End All Wars military expenditures were severely curtailed, and only limited funds were available to support new military aviation projects. A number of important issues, which would influence the future of aviation, were debated in both public and private forums during this period. One related to the general importance of the role of aircraft in future military conflicts. A second was the relative importance of bombers vs. pursuit aircraft, and another issue affecting aviation was the rivalry between the Navy and the Army. One of the tactics utilized by the Armys Air Corps during this period to generate positive public support for its efforts, was the massing of large airborne armadas to impress the general populace. Many such fly overs took place during this period, and many were quite extravagant in terms of the sheer number of aircraft assembled for the displays. In Stan Stokes painting appropriately entitled A Show of Strength, one of these fly overs takes place over Boston in the mid-1930s. The aircraft featured in the scene is the Martin B-10 bomber. This aircraft, although a bit funny-looking by todays standards, was unique in many respects. Designated by its designer as the Martin Model 123, it was designed as a speculation by Martin, and a prototype was given to the Air Corps for evaluation in 1932. Called the XB-907 by the Army, the prototype could attain a top speed of 197-MPH. Later modifications included more powerful, cowling-covered, Cyclone engines, and a slightly larger wing surface. A gun turret was also added to the nose, and the top speed was enhanced to 207-MPH, an impressive figure for that time. Martin won the coveted Collier Trophy for this design, but more important to the company was the award of an initial contract for 48 production versions of the aircraft. The aircraft began to reach operational units in 1935, and additional orders for more than another 100 B-10B variants were placed. Powered by twin 775-HP 9-cylinder radials, the B-10B could carry a maximum bomb load of 2,200 pounds, had a range of 590 miles, an operational ceiling of 24,000 feet, and a maximum speed of 213-MPH. This was a good sized aircraft for the time with its 71-foot wingspan and 45-foot length. In 1936 the Government authorized the B-10 for export and more than one hundred B-10s were sold overseas, with the largest numbers going to the Netherlands Antilles, Argentina, Turkey, and China. Some of these models were modified to utilize one long green house canopy instead of the two utilized on the fuselage of the standard versions. The production life of the B-10 was cut short by the introduction of the Douglas B-18 and Boeing B-17, which were more advanced designs. Also shown in Stans painting escorting the B-10 bombers over Boston are two 1930 vintage Air Corps pursuit planes; the Boeing P-26 pea shooter monoplane, and the Curtiss P-6 Hawk biplane.

Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.

Signed limited edition of 4750 prints.

Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm)