Heading Home Reflections by Rick Herter

Two weary pilots, heading home after a tough mission, are treated to God’s pallet as the sun’s fading light paints the sky. This piece evokes a feeling of peace in the midst of war. The Corsair was one of the most celebrated fighter/bomber aircraft in the Pacific theater. Besides being a tough adversary in air-to air combat against Japanese fighters, the airplane could also be used as a dive bomber and fitted with rockets became a perfect choice for supporting troops on the ground. The airplane performed so well during World War II that the airplane was carried over and used in the Korean War as well. The F-4U was made famous in the 70's TV show Baa Baa Black Sheep which depicted the story of Marine flying ace Gregory "Pappy" Boington. The famed Navy Ace, Ira Kepford of VF-17, the Jolly Rogers, flew the plane in scoring many of his aerial victories as well.

The two F-4U Corsairs depicted in this painting by Rick Herter were from the Second Marine Air Division based at Kadena airfield on the island of Okinawa late in the war. This New Canvas Edition is very limited and the limited edition, paper version of this print has been sold out and only available on the secondary market. Each canvas is printed to order and inspected before being signed and numbered by Rick Herter.