Duxford Eagles by Nicolas Trudgian features P-51 Mustangs of the 78th Fighter Group taking off.

Base to the legendary Douglas Bader Fighter Wing during the Battle of Britain, Duxford became home to the 78th Fighter Group in April 1943. Today it appropriately houses the American Air Museum, and hosts the many summer air-shows where crowds thrill to the sight and sound of the glorious WWII warbirds. First equipped with P-47 Thunderbolts then P-51Ds, the 78th Fighter Group was credited 474 enemy aircraft destroyed in the air, and another 406 destroyed on the ground during low-level strafing missions. Charles London of the 78th became the 8th Air Force’s first fighter ace of the war and a 78th pilot, Quince Brown, was the first to down a Me262 jet in August 1944.

Nick Trudgian’s dramatic painting vividly captures the heady atmosphere of a take-off sequence from a busy wartime Duxford. It is March 1945. Led by Colonel John Landers flying 'Big Beautiful Doll', one of the 8th Air Force’s most flamboyant fighters, the 78th P-51D Mustangs roar off the field to begin an escort mission taking B-17 Fortresses – already airborne in the background – all the way to Hamburg. Most of the hangars seen in Nick’s painting are still there today, beautifully maintained, housing flying examples of the legendary aircraft that won the Second World War.

Duxford Eagles by Nicolas Trudgian is signed by two highly distinguished fighter pilots who flew P-51s with the 78th Fighter Group:
Lt Colonel CLARK W CLEMONS
Captain WAYNE L COLEMAN.

We are selling this print on behalf of one of our collectors. It was purchased from ourselves when released in 2001 and has been stored dark and flat since. It is in mint condition and is supplied with the original Certificate of Authenticity.
Reference: SB085

Note: the 'Nicolas Trudgian' logo on the bottom right of the image does not appear on the actual print itself.