Gunfighters of the Eighth by John Shaw

While escorting a formation of B-17s back from their target in Germany, 2nd Lt Clinton Burdick and P-51D Mustangs of the 356th Fighter Group intercept an attacking swarm of Fw190s south of Dümmer, 14 January 1945. During the savage dogfight the Luftwaffe fighters are completely overwhelmed, and Burdick claims two Fw190’s in quick succession, putting him on the verge of Ace status.

With the festivities of Christmas now past, the New Year of 1945 dawned to one of the coldest winters for many years. The relentless pounding of German industry by US and RAF bombers continued unabated and Allied infantry, airborne and armored divisions advanced ever closer to the Reich from the Netherlands and Belgium. Hitler’s once indomitable armies were in retreat.

But still, Germany was not defeated. On the ground, its forces fought with relentless aggression during the Battle of the Bulge, and in the air the expert pilots of the once fabled Luftwaffe responded with renewed intensity, in a desperate attempt to turn the tide as the Allies grew closer to Berlin. The pilots of the USAAF faced a daunting challenge against these battle-hardened "Luftwaffe Experten", and some of the most brutal encounters took place during these last few months of the war in Europe.

This powerful painting by master artist John Shaw recalls a furious encounter on January 14th 1945. While escorting a formation of B-17s over Germany, P-51D Mustangs of the 356th Fighter Group dive into a swarm of marauding Fw190s, completely overwhelming the Luftwaffe fighters. In the thick of the action is 2nd Lt Clinton Burdick, who claims the first of two Fw190s during the encounter as his .50 caliber machine guns destroy the German fighter’s hydraulics.

The archival paper sheets used to create this edition were personally signed some years ago by iconic Mustang Aces, including Clinton Burdick, giving collectors a rare opportunity to acquire a new release personally endorsed by these legendary WWII Mustang Aces.

This historic edition from one of the world’s most remarkable aviation artists is a lasting tribute to the brave pilots who fought in Europe during the intense final stages of the War.

Signatures

Gallery Edition is signed by the artist only

Collector's Editions (including AP and Remarque editions)

Captain CLINTON BURDICK - 356th Fighter Group / 5½ victories

Lieutenant Colonel ROBERT KARR - 52nd Fighter Group / 6 victories

Lieutenant Colonel CLYDE EAST – 10th Photo Recon Group / 14 victories

Captain JIM BROOKS – 31st Fighter Group / 13 victories

Colonel STEVE PISANOS - 4th Fighter Group / 10 victories

Major BILL ALLEN - 55th Fighter Group / 5 victories

Lieutenant Colonel BOB GOEBEL – 31st Fighter Group / 11 victories

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Captain CLINTON DeWITT BURDICK 356th Fighter Group / 5½ victories

It was natural that Burdick would join the Air Force on his 18th birthday as his father, Lt Howard Burdick, was a Fighter Ace during the First World War, scoring 8 victories. In October 1944 “Clint” joined the 356th Fighter Group at Martlesham Heath in England initially flying P-47s with the 361st Fighter Squadron and flew his first combat mission in the November. The Group converted to P-51 Mustangs later that month and Burdick excelled in his new fighter bearing the name "DoDo", immediately scoring his first victory over an Fw190 on 25 November. Often flying alongside his good friend, Donald Strait – the Group’s top scoring Ace – more victories followed in 1945 and he achieved Ace status in February. Flying until the end if the war in Europe, Clint completed 53 combat missions and with 5 ½ victories was one of only five aerial Aces in the 356th. He and his father also made history as the only known pair of American father-son flying aces.

Lieutenant Colonel CLYDE EAST 10th Photo Recon Group / 14 victories

Volunteering to join the RCAF in 1941 he flew P-51 Mustangs on photographic reconnaissance operations from England with 414 Squadron RCAF. Clyde transferred to the USAAF In January 1944, joining the 10th PRG, flying Spitfires and then P-51 F6s. Flying missions throughout the Normandy invasion, he scored his first victory over an Fw190, becoming the first American Pilot to shoot down a German aircraft on D-Day. Flying until the end of the War, he completed over 200 combat missions and was the highest scoring Ace in the Group with 14 victories. He later flew a further 130 combat missions in RF-80s during the Korean War and in 1962 he was decorated for recon missions during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Captain JAMES BROOKS 31st Fighter Group / 13 victories

After flying P-39s and P-40s with the 52nd Fighter Squadron in the Panama Canal region, he joined the 31st Fighter Group in Italy in 1944, flying Spitfire MK IXs and then P-51s over the Mediterraneanvand Germany. Scoring his first victory on 18 May 1944 while escorting B-24s to Ploesti he also shot down Me109s, Fw190s, Italian Macchi Mc202s and even Ju87 Stukas during a shuttle mission to Russia. Flying in the European Theater until the end of the War he flew 55 combat missions and scored 13 ½ aerial victories. Flying F-86s with the 4th Fighter Group during the Korean War, he was one of four Sabers which in December 1950 participated in the first major jet-versus-jet air battle over the Yalu River, against 12 MiG-15s.

Colonel BOB GOEBEL 31st Fighter Group / 11 victories

After joining the Army Reserves in 1942 he flew P-39s in the Panama Canal region alongside Jim Brooks before transferring to the Mediterranean, joining the 31st Fighter Group in North Africa in December 1943. He initially flew Spitfires before converting to P-51 Mustangs and moved with the unit to Italy where his victories soon accumulated, shooting down a staggering 11 Me109s during the summer of 1944. He flew 62 combat missions throughout Europe, which included 16 hazardous trips to the Romanian oilfields, and led his squadron into combat seven times, and his entire Group twice, all at the tender age of 21.

Lieutenant Colonel ROBERT "BOB" KARR 52nd Fighter Group / 6 victories

Bob joined the Army reserves in 1942 and after training on P-47s initially joined the 87th Fighter Group, before transferring to the 52nd Fighter Group at Madna Airfield in Italy in May 1944. Flying P-51Cs with the 5th Fighter Squadron he immediately scored his first victory on 9 June and more victories followed throughout 1944 and he achieved Ace status with three victories in one mission on December 17 over southern Poland. He flew with the 52nd over Europe from North Africa and Italy until June 1945 and scored 6 confirmed aerial victories, all of which were Bf109 Fighters.

Major BILL ALLEN 55th Fighter Group / 5 victories

Gaining his pilots wings in November 1943, Bill was posted to fly P-38 Lightings with the 55th Fighter Group based at Wormingford in England on May 15, 1944. Joining the 343rd Fighter Squadron the following day, he flew his first combat mission on June 14 in his P-38J “Pretty Patty”. The unit converted to Mustangs in July and while flying his P-51D “Pretty Patty II” he became an Ace in a Day on September 5th, when he shot down five German aircraft in one mission, finishing the war with five confirmed victories.

Colonel STEVE PISANOS 4th Fighter Group / 10 victories

Born in Greece, he made his way to the US in 1938, earning a private pilot's license. After Greece was attacked in 1940 he volunteered for the RAF and joined 71 Squadron, the first Eagle Squadron, flying Spitfire Vbs. After America entered the War, his unit transferred to the USAAF as part of the 4th Fighter Group, and he became the first individual in US history to be naturalized outside the United States. He scored victories in both the P-47 and P-51 but in March 1944, after shooting down two Bf109s, he suffered an engine failure over France. Evading capture he served behind enemy lines with the French Resistance, the OSS, and the SOE. Returning to England in September 1944 he finished the war with 10 aerial victories.