A rare Limited Edition print by Robert Taylor - Hostile Sky is signed by two P-38 fighter Aces and two top-scoring Fw190 fighter pilots who fought in the skies over Europe in World War II.

Ask any B-17 or B-24 crewman which was the greatest American fighter of the war, and he'll tell you it was the P-38. For it was the P-38 Lockheed Lightning that was the first fighter to provide air cover all the way to the target, and it was the presence of P-38 escorts that deterred the Luftwaffe fighters from attacking the bombers as they flew deep into German territory.

When the P-38s arrived in England in 1943, the bombers of the 8th Air Force were taking a pounding. The endurance of the P-47 Thunderbolts allowed them to escort the bombers only as far as the German border; after that they were on their own and the Luftwaffe knew it. The German fighter pilots waited until the P-47s turned back to refuel then pounced, bomber losses were high. Though no match in a dogfight with the nimble Me109s and Fw190s, the P-38 pilots bravely took on the enemy whenever they attacked, and more than held their own by displaying courage and fighting skills of the highest order.

In Robert Taylor's dramatic painting, we see a typical scene recreated by the world's most collected aviation artist; a B-24 has been hit and is losing touch with the main formation; the Luftwaffe pilots are concentrating their attentions on the unfortunate aircraft. Two Fw190s, having made a diving pass through the formation, are zooming back up for the damaged B-24. Seeing the desperate situation, a P-38 escort pilot has made a head­ on attack, splitting the pair of determined Fw190s, thwarting their attempt to finish off the B-24. Another P-38, aware of the predicament, is turning into the path of the Fw190s, and Robert makes it clear that the action has some way to go before any conclusion will be reached. With pure artistry this gifted painter gives us a wonderful view of a battle hardened P-38 and the two Fw190s, as they pass within feet of each other.

Each print in Robert Taylor's Limited Edition, Hostile Sky, is signed by 2 P-38 Aces and 2 top-scoring Fw190 pilots:
Colonel Gerald Brown
Colonel John Lowell
Captain Alfred Grislawski
Captain Gunther Schack.

We are selling this print on behalf of one of our collectors. It was purchased from ourselves when released in 1992 and has been stored dark and flat since with long term investment in mind. It is in mint condition and is supplied with the original Certificate of Authenticity.

Reference: SB069