Tribute to Oliver 'Boots' LeBoutillier by Ivan Berryman [Original Painting]

'Boots' LeBoutillier was an American flying Ace credited with 10 victories in World War One. Having crossed into Canada and subsequently flying for the British, he is seen here in his Sopwith Triplane N5459 of 9 Naval Squadron in France in 1917 in which he scored 3 victories. In April 1918 he was involved in the dogfight in which Manfred von Richthofen - the infamous Red Baron - was shot down and killed. He was awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross and after the war performed barnstorming and skywriting and gave flying lessons to Amelia Earhart. He appeared in many Hollywood movies as a stuntman, and for his rescue of a crashed pilot in Colorado he received the Silver Medal of Valor, the highest decoration of the Civil Air Patrol. LeBoutillier died in 1983 aged 88 after a life in aviation.

Oil on Canvas

Size: 16 inches x 12 inches (41cm x 31cm)