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Checkertail Clan by Nicolas Trudgian.
With their brightly coloured checkertail tails there was no mistaking the P.51
Mustangs of the 325th Fighter Group. Escorting B-24s over Austria in August
1944, tangled with a group of Fw190 fighters. The ensuing dogfight spiraled down
below the mountain peaks as Herky Green led the Checkertails in a low-level
chase. Herky nails one Fw190. Behind him his pilots will take out the two Fw190.
When all is done this day the 325th will be credited with 15 enemy fighters
destroyed. |
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Checkertail Clan by Nicolas Trudgian
With their brightly coloured checkertail tails there was no mistaking the P.51 Mustangs of the 325th Fighter Group. Escorting B-24s over Austria in August 1944, tangled with a group of Fw190 fighters. The ensuing dogfight spiraled down below the mountain peaks as Herky Green led the Checkertails in a low-level chase. Herky nails one Fw190. Behind him his pilots will take out the two Fw190. When all is done this day the 325th will be credited with 15 enemy fighters destroyed.
Signed limited edition of 600 prints. Paper size 27 inches x 19 inches (69cm x 48cm). Price £155.00 Signed by Major Robert M Barkey, Colonel Arthur C Fielder and Major Herky Green (deceased), in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of 60 artist proofs. Paper size 27 inches x 19 inches (69cm x 48cm). Price £235.00 Signed by Major Robert M Barkey, Colonel Arthur C Fielder and Major Herky Green (deceased), in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of publishers proofs. Paper size 27 inches x 19 inches (69cm x 48cm). Price £215.00 Signed by Major Robert M Barkey, Colonel Arthur C Fielder and Major Herky Green (deceased), in addition to the artist.
** (Ex Display) Signed limited edition of 600 prints. (Two copies reduced to clear) Paper size 27 inches x 19 inches (69cm x 48cm). Price £120.00 Signed by Major Robert M Barkey, Colonel Arthur C Fielder and Major Herky Green (deceased), in addition to the artist.
ITEM CODE DHM2023
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Checkertail Clan by Nicolas Trudgian
- The Signatures
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 | Major Robert M Barkey
Robert Barkey was assigned to "Checkertail Clan" (325th FG, 319th FS), after his initial training. Robert Barkey began flying P40s in Africa, and after changing to fly the P 47s in late 1943, was moved to Italy. Barkeys first victory on 22.02.1944, Downed 2 more 109s, both flown by aces of elite German JG 26, and another 109 on 24.05.44. Flying the history-making Russian shuttle in P 51 mustang, he became an Ace on 6 June 44 for one more Me 109, this time fying the P 51 mustang. Recalled in 1951 flying F 84s, retiring as Major in 1961. 53 combat missions in WWII. 5 confirmed victories, 1 probable. major Robert Barkey's decorations include: DFC, 13 Air Medals, and Presidential Unit Citation.
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 | Colonel Arthur C Fiedler
Arthur Charles Fiedler was born in Oak Park, Illinois on August 1, 1923. In April of 1942, five months after America entered WW 11, Fiedler enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He was sent to Avon Park, Florida for primary training, followed by basic training at Macon, Georgia, and advanced training at Marianna, Florida. He graduated with Class 43G in July of 1943, and was assigned as a flight instructor, flying Republic P-47 Thunderbolts at Dover, Delaware. In April of 1944 Second Lieutenant Feidler was assigned to combat duty, and was assigned to the 317'h Fighter Squadron of the 325th Fighter Group (the "Cheekertails"), based in Lesina, Italy. He transitioned to the North American P-51 Mustang, naming his assigned aircraft after his wife "Helen" whom he had married in 1943. On June 24, Fiedler claimed a probable. On June 28 he attained his first two aerial victories. At that morning's briefing Fiedler was elated to learn that his squadron's mission would be a fighter sweep over Polesti, Rumania, in advance of a bombing mission targeting the massive oil refining operations in that area.. When flying fighter escort for bombers the fighters were prohibited from flying below 15,000-feet. This gave the Germans a dog fighting advantage, as the early Allison-powered Mustangs were good performers at low altitudes but relatively poor performers at higher altitudes. Forty P-5 Is from the 325th 17G took off at 0725 hours for the fighter sweep. Sweeping the target area at 25,000-29,000 feet for about 45 minutes a total of 47 enemy aircraft were encountered. During this mission Fiedler would earn his first two victories. Fiedler became an ace on July 26 when he downed his fourth and fifth aircraft, a Fw- 190, south of Vienna, and a 109 several minutes later. Promoted to Captain, Fiedler attained his eighth and final victory on January 20, 1945 while escorting B-17s to Regerisbuurg. His flight of four P-51s broke-up an attacking force of 40 German fighters. Following the War Fiedler left the military and attended the University of Illinois, earning a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He was recalled for active duty during the Korean War, and decided to make a career in the Air Force. In addition to his 66 combat missions flown in WW 11, Fiedler would fly 247 combat missions in C-130s during the Vietnam War Col. Fiedler retired from the USAF in 1975, and currently resides in Southern California. His decorations include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross with one OLC, the Air Medal with 22 OLCs, and the Partisan Star.
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 | Major Herky Green (deceased)
'Herky' Green arrived in North Africa in January 1943 flying with the 325th Fighter Group. During his first action his P40 was so riddled with tracer that it had to be scrapped - but he still managed to shoot down one of his attackers. Flying from North Africa, and later Italy, 'Herky' flew P40s, P47s and P51s, scoring victories in all three types. In March 1944 he took command of the 317th Fighter Squadron, flew over 100 missions, ending the war with 18 air victories. Herky Green died 16th August 2006.
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