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Battle for the Islands by Nicolas Trudgian.
Corsairs of VMF 121 provide close air support to the US landings on Rendova,
June 30, 1943. Fiercely contested, the invasion force was heavily attacked by
Zero fighters and Mitsubishi G4M1 Betty bombers, flying from their base at
Rabaul. Dog-fighting at tree-top height, VMF 121 Corsairs rip into a bunch of
Betty bombers as they try to make their escape following their attack on
shipping. On fire, the Betty in the foreground is doomed, and will shortly
become one of 19 Japanese aircraft accounted for by VMF 121. Other Marine
fighter units brought the total this day to a staggering 58 enemy aircraft
destroyed. |
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Battle for the Islands by Nicolas Trudgian.
Corsairs of VMF 121 provide close air support to the US landings on Rendova, June 30, 1943. Fiercely contested, the invasion force was heavily attacked by Zero fighters and Mitsubishi G4M1 Betty bombers, flying from their base at Rabaul. Dog-fighting at tree-top height, VMF 121 Corsairs rip into a bunch of Betty bombers as they try to make their escape following their attack on shipping. On fire, the Betty in the foreground is doomed, and will shortly become one of 19 Japanese aircraft accounted for by VMF 121. Other Marine fighter units brought the total this day to a staggering 58 enemy aircraft destroyed.
Signed limited edition of 600 prints. Paper size 36 inches x 22 inches (91cm x 56cm). Price £155.00 Signed by Colonel Robert M Baker, Colonel Robert Bruce Porter (deceased) and Colonel James E Swett (deceased), in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of artist proofs. Paper size 36 inches x 22 inches (91cm x 56cm). Price £205.00 Signed by Colonel Robert M Baker, Colonel Robert Bruce Porter (deceased) and Colonel James E Swett (deceased), in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of publishers proofs. Paper size 36 inches x 22 inches (91cm x 56cm). Price £185.00 Signed by Colonel Robert M Baker, Colonel Robert Bruce Porter (deceased) and Colonel James E Swett (deceased), in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of 60 artists special reserve prints, signed by the artist only. Paper size 36 inches x 22 inches (91cm x 56cm). Price £110.00
Limited edition of 25 remarques. Paper size 36 inches x 22 inches (91cm x 56cm). Price £325.00 Signed by Colonel Robert M Baker, Colonel Robert Bruce Porter (deceased) and Colonel James E Swett (deceased), in addition to the artist.
ITEM CODE DHM2047
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Battle for the Islands by Nicolas Trudgian
- The Signatures
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 | Colonel Robert M Baker USMC
Bob Baker joined the Marine Corps in 1941 and first saw combat in the Pacific theater in February 1942. By the summer of 1943 he was flying F4Us with VMF 121 over the Solomons. On June 30 he downed three Zeros in one fight. Two days later he and three of his flight were attacked by a large force of over forty Zeros, Baker shot down two in the action to become an Ace. For these actions he was awarded the DFC. He fought at Rendova, also Guadalcanal and Munda.
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 | Colonel Bruce Porter USMC (deceased)
After a tour in the Pacific, Bruce joined VMF 121 in 1943 at Guadalcanal and soon downed 4 Zeros. He served tours with VMF (N) 511 (first all-Marine carrier squadron) and later VMF (N) 533. He helped lead that squadron on one of the longest over-water flights of WWII for a single engined aircraft - flying from the Marshall-Gilbert islands to Saipan-Iwo Jima. On June 15, 1945 he scored a double night victory at Okinawa, making him an Ace. He was probably the only Marine pilot to gain two or more kills in both the Corsair and Hellcat; and became only one of six Marines to score a double or triple kill in one mission. Sadly, Bruce Porter died 20th April 2009.
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 | Colonel James E Swett USMC MOH (deceased)
Jim Swett became one of the top-scoring F4U Aces, with 15.5 victories in 94 missions in the Corsair, but he had already earned himself the Congressional Medal of Honor piloting the F4F Wildcat before switching to the F4U. Leading a four plane section with VMF 221 on April 7, 1942 he shot down no fewer than 7 Japanese Val dive-bombers in an engagement over Tulagi Harbor, before taking a hit himself, and ditching in the sea. In all Jim Swett flew 211 combat missions, 94 in F4U Corsairs, made 120 carrier launches and recoveries, and in addition to his Medal of Honor, was awarded 6 DFCs and 2 Purple Hearts. Sadly, Jim Swett died on 18th January 2009.Citation for Medal of Honor For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, as a division leader in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO TWENTY-ONE in action against enemy Japanese aerial forces in the Solomon Islands Area, April 7, 1943. In a daring flight to intercept a wave of 150 Japanese planes, First Lieutenant Swett unhesitatingly hurled his four-plane division into action against a formation of fifteen enemy bombers and during his dive personally exploded three hostile planes in mid-air with accurate and deadly fire. Although separated from his division while clearing the heavy concentration of anti-aircraft fire, he boldly attacked six enemy bombers, engaged the first four in turn, and unaided, shot them down in flames. Exhausting his ammunition as he closed the fifth Japanese bomber, he relentlessly drove his attack against terrific opposition which partially disabled his engine, shattered the windscreen and slashed his face. In spite of this, he brought his battered plane down with skillful precision in the water off Tulagi without further injury. The superb airmanship and tenacious fighting spirit which enabled First Lieutenant Swett to destroy seven enemy bombers in a single flight were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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