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History of the P47 Thunderbolt. US
Fighter,P47 Thunderbolt US Air Force fighter in aviation art prints This superb
range of aviation art prints by leading Aviation artists , Simon Smith, Robert Taylor,
Ivan Berryman and David Pentland, include the Thunderbolt
P-47 of the US Ninth Air Force and Thunderbolt fighter aircraft of Colonel
Herbert Zemke shown in aviation prints by Robert Taylor and David Pentland.
Alexander
Kartveli was a engineer with Seversky Aircraft who designed the P-35,
which first flew in 1937. With Republic Aviation Kartveli supervised the
development of the P-43 Lancer. Neither of these aircraft were produced
in large numbers, and neither was quite successful. However, the
Republic Aviation P-47 Thunderbolt, also nicknamed the Jug, was quite a
different story. The Jug was the jewel in Kartvelis design crown, and
went on to become one of the most produced fighter aircraft of all time
with 15,683 being manufactured. The P-47 was the largest and heaviest
single seat fighter of WW II. The P-47 immediately demonstrated its
excellent combat qualities, including speed, rate of climb,
maneuverability, heavy fire power, and the ability to take a lot of
punishment. With a wingspan of more than 40 feet and a weight of 19,400
pounds, this large aircraft was designed around the powerful 2000 HP
Pratt and Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engine. The first P-47
prototype flew in May of 1941, and the primary variant the P-47D went
into service in 1943 with units of the U.S. Armys Eighth Air Force. The
Jug had a maximum speed in excess of 400 MPH, a service ceiling in
excess of 42,000 feet, and was heavily armed with either six or eight
heavy caliber machine guns. With its ability to carry up to a 2,500
pound bomb load, the Jug saw lots of use in ground attack roles. Until
the introduction of the N model, the P-47 lacked the long range required
for fighter escort missions which were most often relegated to P-51
Mustangs or P-38 Lightnings. In his outstanding painting entitled Bridge
Busting Jugs, noted aviation artist Stan Stokes depicts Eighth Air
Force Jugs in a ground attack mission in the Alps in June of 1944. The
top P-47 ace was Francis Gabreski who had flown with the 56th Fighter
Group, the first unit to be equipped with the P-47. In August of 1943
Gabreski attained his first aerial combat victory (over an Fw-190) and
by years end he had reached ace status with 8 confirmed victories. As
Commander of the 61st Squadron, Gabreski continued to chalk up victory
after victory, and on seven different occasions he achieved two
victories during the same mission. However, in July of 1944 Gabreski
damaged the prop on his Jug during a low level attack on an airfield
near Coblenz. Forced to make a crash landing, he was captured and
remained a prisoner of war until Wars end in 1945. Following the War
Gabreski returned to military service with the Air Forces 4th
Fighter-Interceptor Wing in Korea. Flying the F-86 Sabre Jet, Gabreski
attained 6.5 more aerial victories in 1951 and 1952 becoming an ace in
two different wars.
Duxford Pair by Ivan Berryman These Republic P-47D Thunderbolts were operational with the 82nd FS,
78th FG based at Duxford during the final months of the war in Europe.
Zemke's First Fan by David Pentland On the 12th May 1944, Col. Hubert Zemke tried his new "fan"
tactic, designed to engage Luftwaffe fighters. Unfortunately on this
occasion his aircraft was bounced by German ace Major Gunther Rall in
his ME109 G-6(AS), and escaped only by sending his P47-D Thunderbolt
into a gut wrenching dive.
Return From Bremen by Simon Smith Francis ' Gabby'
Gabreski, 26th November 1943.Signed by Gabby Gabreski and Simon
Smith. |
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Duxford Pair by Ivan Berryman.
These Republic P-47D Thunderbolts were operational with the 82nd FS, 78th FG based at Duxford during the final months of the war in Europe.
Signed limited edition of 1150 prints. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £95.00
Limietd edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £135.00
Johnson Presentation edition of 5 prints from the signed limited edition of 1150 prints. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £250.00 Features the matted original signature of
Lt Col Robert S Johnson (deceased).
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £370.00
ITEM CODE B0093
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Zemkes First Fan by David Pentland.
On the 12th May 1944, Col. Hubert Zemke tried his new fan tactic, designed to engage Luftwaffe fighters. Unfortunately on this occasion his aircraft was bounced by German ace Major Gunther Rall in his ME109 G-6AS, and escaped only by sending his P47-D Thunderbolt into a gut wrenching dive.
Limited edition of 750 prints signed by Gunther Rall from the signed limited edition of 1000 prints. Image size 23 inches x 14 inches (58cm x 36cm). Price £145.00 Signed by the artist, and German Ace Gunther Rall (deceased).
Hajo Hermann Knights Cross signature series edition of 50 prints from the signed limited edition of 100 prints. Image size 23 inches x 14 inches (58cm x 36cm). Price £145.00 Signed by Oberst Hajo Hermann.
Erich Rudorffer Knights Cross signature series edition of 200 prints from the signed limited edition of 1000 prints. Image size 23 inches x 14 inches (58cm x 36cm). Price £145.00 Signed by Major Erich Rudorffer.
Aces Presentation edition of 5 prints from the signed limited edition of 1000 prints. Image size 23 inches x 14 inches (58cm x 36cm). Price £340.00 Features the matted original signatures of
Lt Col Robert S Johnson (deceased),
Major Erich Rudorffer,
General Gunther Rall (deceased)
and
Oberst Hajo Hermann.
ITEM CODE DHM0795
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Return From Bremen by Simon Smith.
The leading ace of the mighty Eighth Air Force, Gabby Gabreski. He finished the war with a total of 28 air victories and 2 1/2 enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground by strafing airfields. Gabreski also scored 6 1/2 air victories in the Korean war.
Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm). Price £120.00 Signed by Colonel Gabby Gabreski (deceased)
Limited edition of artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Colonel Gabby Gabreski (deceased)
ITEM CODE DHM1463
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Looking for Trouble by Keith Woodcock.
Open edition print. Image size 14.5 inches x 9.5 inches (37cm x 24cm). Price £16.00
ITEM CODE KW0003
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Herkys Big Day by Stan Stokes.
The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, or Jug7 as it was more popularly called, was the mount of many of the American aces of WW 11. The P-47 represented the crowning achievement from two aircraft designers, Alexander Kartvelli and Alexander De Seversky, both immigrants from Russia. It came on the heels of two other aircraft, the P-35 and P-43, which were satisfactory pre-war designs, but not up to the new standards required to compete against Bf-109 fighters in Europe or Mitsbushi Zeroes in the Pacific. The P-47 was the largest and heaviest single seat American fighter of the War. Powered by a huge 2000-HP radial engine, more than 15,000 Jugs were produced. The first production variant was the P-47B which had a razorback fuselage. During tests the aircraft attained a speed of 429-MPH with a maximum range at 10,000 feet of 835 miles. Later variants included a C and D model with the razorback fuselage. Belly tanks and wing tanks became standard equipment as the range of this fighter was stretched for bomber escort missions in Europe. In mid- 1943 one of the biggest pilot complaints about the aircraft was remedied when a bubble top canopy and redesigned fuselage was incorporated into the D model. This dramatically improved rearward vision of the pilots. These aircraft were armed with 8 machine guns, and could carry up to 2500 pounds of additional fuel or ordinance. Herschel Herky Green was one of the top USAAF aces in Europe with a total of 18 confirmed aerial victories (3 in P-40s, 10 in P-47s, and 5 in P-5 Is.) Green was born in 1920 in Mayfield, Kentucky. While studying mechanical engineering at Vanderbilt University he learned to fly in the Civilian Pilot Training Program. He joined the Army as an aviation cadet in 1941 and earned his wings an a commission at Foster Field in 1942. One of Greens first assignments was flying P40s in North Africa. He scored a total of three victories in P-40s before his squadron transitioned to the Jug. As depicted in Stan Stokes painting, appropriately entitled Herkys Big Day, Green downed six enemy aircraft on one mission over Northern Italy on January 30, 1944. Greens flight initially encountered a group of Ju-52 transports, and Green bagged four of them. About thirty minutes later the ace encountered a lone Macchi 202. In a low level turning duel Green eventually got in position and nailed the Italian fighter. Its wing dipped, caught the ground, and sent the Macchi into a terrible cartwheel of destruction. Heading home Green encountered a Do-217, which quickly became victim number 6. Green went on to later add four more P-47 victories, and after his group changed to the P-51 he scored an additional five, making him an ace in both the Jug and the Mustang. Green remained in the Air Force following the War, serving as Deputy Commander of the 4th Fighter Group at Selfridge Field. He also held a number of important staff positions prior to his retirement in 1964. Since that time he has been a successful businessman. Greens numerous decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, The Air Medal with 25 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm. Green resides in Southern California.
Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Size 22 inches x 18 inches (56cm x 446cm). Price £94.00 Signed by P-47 Ace Herky Green (deceased).
ITEM CODE STK0037
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Bridge Busting Jugs by Stan Stokes.
Alexander Kartveli was a engineer with Seversky Aircraft who designed the P-35, which first flew in 1937. With Republic Aviation Kartveli supervised the development of the P-43 Lancer. Neither of these aircraft were produced in large numbers, and neither was quite successful. However, the Republic Aviation P-47 Thunderbolt, also nicknamed the Jug, was quite a different story. The Jug was the jewel in Kartvelis design crown, and went on to become one of the most produced fighter aircraft of all time with 15,683 being manufactured. The P-47 was the largest and heaviest single seat fighter of WW II. The P-47 immediately demonstrated its excellent combat qualities, including speed, rate of climb, maneuverability, heavy fire power, and the ability to take a lot of punishment. With a wingspan of more than 40 feet and a weight of 19,400 pounds, this large aircraft was designed around the powerful 2000 HP Pratt and Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engine. The first P-47 prototype flew in May of 1941, and the primary variant the P-47D went into service in 1943 with units of the U.S. Armys Eighth Air Force. The Jug had a maximum speed in excess of 400 MPH, a service ceiling in excess of 42,000 feet, and was heavily armed with either six or eight heavy caliber machine guns. With its ability to carry up to a 2,500 pound bomb load, the Jug saw lots of use in ground attack roles. Until the introduction of the N model, the P-47 lacked the long range required for fighter escort missions which were most often relegated to P-51 Mustangs or P-38 Lightnings. In his outstanding painting entitled Bridge Busting Jugs, noted aviation artist Stan Stokes depicts Eighth Air Force Jugs in a ground attack mission in the Alps in June of 1944. The top P-47 ace was Francis Gabreski who had flown with the 56th Fighter Group, the first unit to be equipped with the P-47. In August of 1943 Gabreski attained his first aerial combat victory (over an Fw-190) and by years end he had reached ace status with 8 confirmed victories. As Commander of the 61st Squadron, Gabreski continued to chalk up victory after victory, and on seven different occasions he achieved two victories during the same mission. However, in July of 1944 Gabreski damaged the prop on his Jug during a low level attack on an airfield near Coblenz. Forced to make a crash landing, he was captured and remained a prisoner of war until Wars end in 1945. Following the War Gabreski returned to military service with the Air Forces 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing in Korea. Flying the F-86 Sabre Jet, Gabreski attained 6.5 more aerial victories in 1951 and 1952 becoming an ace in two different wars.
Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00
Signed limited edition of 225 prints. Size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm). Price £154.00 Signed by Double War Ace USAF Col. Francis Gabby Gabreski (deceased).
ITEM CODE STK0028
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Jenkins Jerry Junkers by Stan Stokes.
This tribute to the 510th Fighter Squardron shows four P-47s; The Bug, Squirt, Raid Hot Moma and The Touch of Texas.
Limited edition of 300 giclee paper prints. Size 20 inches x 15 inches (51cm x 38cm). Price £109.00
Limited edition of 300 giclee canvas prints. Size 40 inches x 30 inches (102cm x 76cm). Price £624.00
Limited edition of 300 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 27 inches (91cm x 69cm). Price £489.00
Limited edition of 300 giclee canvas prints. Size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm). Price £294.00
ITEM CODE STK0031
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Thunderbolt Strike by Robert Taylor.
A flight of P47 thunderbolts of the 404 Fighter group, 9th Air force, clear the target area after a low-level attack on the airfield inland from Le Havre, Normandy, 1944. Tracer winds up towards them from ground defences and almost all the aircraft have taken hits. Ground-attack pilots went in low, did the job and got our fast!
Signed limited edition of 1250 prints. Paper size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm). Price £165.00 Signed by General Paul Douglas, General James Hill and Colonel Joe Matte.
Limited edition of artist proofs. Image size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm). Price £265.00 Signed by General Paul Douglas, General James Hill and Colonel Joe Matte.
ITEM CODE DHM2073
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Herkys Big Day by Stan Stokes.
Herschel
Herky Green downed 6 Axis aircraft on one mission over N. Italy on
January 30, 1944. Greens flight initially encountered a group of Ju-52s.
Green would bad 4. Minutes later he wasted a Macchi 202 in a low level
turning duel. Heading for home he ran into a Do-217 which became victory
number six.
Looking for Trouble by Keith Woodcock Lt Col Francis S (Gabby) Gabreski's P-47 Thunderbolt.
Bridge Busting Jugs by Stan Stokes.
Alexander
Kartveli was a engineer with Seversky Aircraft who designed the P-35,
which first flew in 1937. With Republic Aviation Kartveli supervised the
development of the P-43 Lancer. Neither of these aircraft were produced
in large numbers, and neither was quite successful. However, the
Republic Aviation P-47 Thunderbolt, also nicknamed the Jug, was quite a
different story. The Jug was the jewel in Kartvelis design crown, and
went on to become one of the most produced fighter aircraft of all time
with 15,683 being manufactured. The P-47 was the largest and heaviest
single seat fighter of WW II. The P-47 immediately demonstrated its
excellent combat qualities, including speed, rate of climb,
maneuverability, heavy fire power, and the ability to take a lot of
punishment. With a wingspan of more than 40 feet and a weight of 19,400
pounds, this large aircraft was designed around the powerful 2000 HP
Pratt and Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engine. The first P-47
prototype flew in May of 1941, and the primary variant the P-47D went
into service in 1943 with units of the U.S. Armys Eighth Air Force. The
Jug had a maximum speed in excess of 400 MPH, a service ceiling in
excess of 42,000 feet, and was heavily armed with either six or eight
heavy caliber machine guns. With its ability to carry up to a 2,500
pound bomb load, the Jug saw lots of use in ground attack roles. Until
the introduction of the N model, the P-47 lacked the long range required
for fighter escort missions which were most often relegated to P-51
Mustangs or P-38 Lightnings. In his outstanding painting entitled Bridge
Busting Jugs, noted aviation artist Stan Stokes depicts Eighth Air
Force Jugs in a ground attack mission in the Alps in June of 1944. The
top P-47 ace was Francis Gabreski who had flown with the 56th Fighter
Group, the first unit to be equipped with the P-47. In August of 1943
Gabreski attained his first aerial combat victory (over an Fw-190) and
by years end he had reached ace status with 8 confirmed victories. As
Commander of the 61st Squadron, Gabreski continued to chalk up victory
after victory, and on seven different occasions he achieved two
victories during the same mission. However, in July of 1944 Gabreski
damaged the prop on his Jug during a low level attack on an airfield
near Coblenz. Forced to make a crash landing, he was captured and
remained a prisoner of war until Wars end in 1945. Following the War
Gabreski returned to military service with the Air Forces 4th
Fighter-Interceptor Wing in Korea. Flying the F-86 Sabre Jet, Gabreski
attained 6.5 more aerial victories in 1951 and 1952 becoming an ace in
two different wars.
Jenkins Jerry Junkers by Stan Stokes.
This tribute to the 510th Fighter Squardron shows four
P-47s; The Bug, Squirt, Raid Hot Moma and The Touch of Texas.
Thunderbolts and Lightnings by Nicolas Trudgian.
The relief of
Bastogne turned the tide in the Battle of the Bulge and Hitlers final
great offensive of World War II lay in ruins. P47 Thunderbolts of the
406th Fighter Group, in company with P38 Lightnings, support the
advancing armor of General George Pattons US Third Army as they prepare
to relieve the battered 101st Airborne Division from their heroic
defence of Bastogne during the final climax to the Battle of the Bulge,
24 December 1944. The Battle of the Bulge was one of the largest land
battles of WWII with more than a million American, British and German
troops involved, incurring huge casualties on all sides and this release
pays tribute to the sacrifice of Allied Forces, during this important
milestone in World War II.
Thunderbolt Strike by Robert Taylor
P-47 Razorback Thunderbolt's of the US Ninth Air Force make their
escape following an attack on installations near the port of Le Havre,
Northern France 1944.
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