Scramble for the Marianas by Nicolas Trudgian features F6F Hellcats launching from USS Lexington.

Soon after dawn on June 19th 1944 radar operators on the carrier USS Lexington picked up a large number of bogies approaching them, every available Hellcat was scrambled to intercept.  Ninety miles out the dog fight began.  American Navy pilots ripped into wave after wave of enemy aircraft.  As each new onslaught arrived there were more fighters there to meet them.  Other squadrons joined in the melee and the radio circuits crackled with shouts and cries of encouragement. "Hell this is like an old time turkey shoot!" yelled one pilot - and thus the battle became known as the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot. 

By the late afternoon two Japanese carriers had been sunk by submarines, and an incredible 373 enemy planes shot down.  The U.S. Navy pilots had won an historic victory.  Seen hurtling off the deck of the U.S.S. Lexington is the F6F Hellcat of Lt. Alex Vraciu of Fighting Squadron VF-16.  With 12 victories already to his credit, Vraciu would add a further 6 to his tally in the space of just 8 minutes on that momentous day.

Nicolas Trudgian's Limited Edition, Scramble For The Marianas, is signed by four distinguished Hellcat Aces:
Commander Alex Vraciu USN
Captain Richard 'Zeke' Cormier USN
Commander Hamilton 'Mac' McWhorter USN
Captain Armistead 'Chick' Smith USN.

Published in 1994 this print sold out many years ago and is now difficult to find on the secondary market.

Condition: this copy has a number of mild handling kinks, mainly in the left white and tinted borders. There is also a yellow mark, approx 1.5 cm in the lower white border close to the outer edge of the print. Framing would conceal the faults. It is otherwise excellent with strong, vibrant 'as new' colours, having never been framed and having been stored flat and dark at room temperature. The signatures in the lower border area are in perfect condition. It comes with the original Certificate of Authenticity. Normal price for a perfect example of this print would be £350-450 or more. A very striking image, this print would be ideal for someone wanting a modestly priced example for framing and display.

The faults would be difficult to show properly in a photograph - however the print is covered by our 'No Quibble Guarantee' so if its not as you expected you can return it for a full refund.

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