To coincide with the publication of Robert Taylor's
Air Combat Paintings Volume VII, a very limited number of USAAF cover special edition books have been set aside to be issued with a matching-numbered copy of the print
Fighter Escort.
Completed by Robert in 2023, he skillfully depicts P-51 Mustangs of the 77th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group, as they head out from their base at King's Cliffe, Northamptonshire (Station 367) on the morning of 14 January 1945. Their task is to provide fighter escort to an Eighth Air Force bombing mission to Germany.
Every print is personally signed by Robert and embossed with the logo of The Robert Taylor Trust, a body established to preserve Robert's legacy and safeguard the future copyright of his work in years to come.
Signatures (including the bookplates) are only on the Veteran's Edition, Artist's Proof & Remarque Editions (The 50 "Limited Editions" are signed by Robert Taylor only.)
Mounted With Print:
Colonel CLARENCE E. 'BUD' ANDERSON - Pilot and Ace with the 357th Fighter Group, his career total of victories totals 16.25
Colonel JOSEPH A. PETERBURS - Flying with the 20th Fighter Group he scored 2 victories including an Me262 jetSigned Bookplate:
Displayed in a luxury presentation case, each matching-numbered USAAF copy of
Air Combat Paintings, Volume VII contains an astonishing bookplate which has been personally signed by Robert along with at least eleven of the following legends of air combat during World War Two:
Colonel DON BLAKESLEE DSC SS LoM DFC AM - Fighter pilot with the RCAF, RAF and USAAF, he ended the war with 15.5 victories having flown more missions against the Luftwaffe than any other American pilot
Air Commodore ALAN DEERE DSO OBE DFC* - Spitfire pilot credited with 17 victories ranking him the second highest-scoring New Zealand fighter Ace of the Second World War
Generalleutnant ADOLF GALLAND Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords & Diamonds - Luftwaffe fighter Ace credited with 104 aerial victories who later became the youngest General in the entire German armed forces
Oberst ERICH HARTMANN Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords & Diamonds - Luftwaffe pilot and the highest-scoring fighter Ace in the history or aerial warfare with 352 victories
Warrant Officer NORMAN JACKSON VC - Flight Engineer on RAF Lancasters with 106 Squadron and recipient of the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest award for Gallantry
Air Vice-Marshal JOHNNIE JOHNSON CB CBE DSO** DFC* - With 38 victories he was the highest-scoring Spitfire Ace of the war and the most prolific RAF pilot against the Luftwaffe
General LEON JOHNSON MoH AFDSM SS LoM DFC AM - Bomber pilot on B-24 Consolidated Liberators in the USAAF, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for leading the attack on the Ploesti oil fields
Wing Commander DON KINGABY DSO AFC DFM** - RAF Spitfire Ace with 21 aerial victories and the only pilot to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal three times
Colonel BOB MORGAN DFC AM - Captain in the 91st BG, USAAF, piloting the famous B-17 Flying Fortress 'Memphis Belle'
Generalleutnant GÜNTHER RALL Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves & Swords - Luftwaffe fighter pilot credited with 275 aerial victories ranking him the third most successful Ace in aviation history
Flight Lieutenant BILL REID VC - RAF Lancaster pilot with 61 & 617 Squadrons, he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration in the British decorations system
Colonel HUB ZEMKE DSC SS DFC PH AM - One of the leading USAAF pilots and subsequent fighter leaders in the European Theatre who was credited with 19.5 aerial victories
To coincide with the publication of Robert Taylor's Air Combat Paintings Volume VII, a very limited number of USAAF cover special edition books have been set aside to be issued with a matching-numbered copy of the print Fighter Escort.
