|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Captain William B. Overstreet Signed Naval Art
Captain William B. Overstreet
Posted to England in November 1943 to join the 363rd fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group at Leiston Bill Overstreet flew his P51 combat mission on 12th February 1944. He commanded nearly 50 combat missions during his tour with the 357th FS, taking part in escorting the big raids to Berlin, Frankfurt, Leipzeig and many other city targets as well as participating in escort missions to Russia from Italy. Shot down once he managed to escape to freedom after two days capacity. Returning stateside in October 1944. He died on 29th December 2013.
| Captain William B. Overstreet - Signed Naval Art Naval Crew Signatures |
|
|
|
|
|
| Text for the above items : |
Clipped Signature - William B Overstreet. Joined the 363rd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group in England in November 1943, flying the P-51 Mustang. Commanding almost 50 missions, he flew many of the big raids on German cities and was shot down but evaded capture. He died in 2013. |
Dallas Doll by Philip West. North American P51D-NA15 Mustang 414495 Dallas Doll 352nd Fighter Squadron, 353rd Fighter Group, 8th Air Force. American designed and built, British inspired and, later, powered, the Mustang turned into arguably the finest WW11 long-range fighter ever constructed. The Mustang, developed from the Prototype NA73X, was manufactured in large quantities, with an impressive final total of 15,586 aircraft. Of these 13,600 were powered by the British, Rolls Royce designed Merlin engine. |
Air Superiority by Robert Taylor. It had taken almost six years of continual air fighting for the Allied forces to attain complete and total air superiority over the Luftwaffe. At the outbreak of World War II the mighty German Air Force had appeared invincible but the ensuing Battle of Britain gave the Luftwaffe its first taste of what was to come. When America joined the war, bringing with her to Europe new types of fighters and bombers, the writing must have been clearly chalked on the wall of Hitler's bunker. Unleashing the full power of the Eighth Air Force against the Third Reich by day, and with the RAF Bomber Command's constant attacks by night, production in Germany's aircraft and munitions factories became fatally depleted. In the air the Allied fighter pilots were beginning to dominate the skies, and by the spring of 1945, had achieved complete air superiority. It had been a long and bitter struggle, fought with great courage and sacrifice. |
The Eagles Divide by Robert Taylor. P-51 Mustangs of the 357th Fighter Group clash with Me109s in close combat as they struggle for air superiority over the heart of Germany, during the desperate days of 1945. It had begun - the end game was inexorably in play. The final defeat of Germany and the end of Nazi tyranny was almost within sight but in the skies over Germany the defiant remnants of the Luftwaffe fought on with savage determination. Ever since the long-range American P-51 escort fighters had first appeared, the skies over the Reich had witnessed grim encounters with the Mustangs taking on the Luftwaffe as they tried to stop the heavy bombers of the USAAF reaching their targets. By early 1945 it was a losing battle, but still the Luftwaffe fought on and, in the resulting maelstrom of combat, the Mustang pilots still had their work cut out against these battle hardened, expert pilots. Robert Taylor's superb drawing dramatically reconstructs one such clash in early 1945 as P-51 Mustangs of the 357th Fighter Group have spotted a group of Bf109s heading their way. Without hesitation they dive head-on in an attempt to break-up the enemy formation and for the pilots on both sides the explosive encounter of close combat is suddenly upon them. Limited edition prints of this classic Robert Taylor Master Drawing have been signed over the last few years by some of the most respected USAAF P-51 and distinguished Luftwaffe pilots who duelled in those merciless skies over Europe. Since signing the prints some of these legendary names have very sadly passed away, making it one of the most collectible editions of recent years. |
Fallen Comrades by Stan Stokes. Fallen Comrades by Stan Stokes is a tribute to all the young men of the 357th Fighter Group, Yoxford Boys, who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country in training for and during WWII combat. The 357th scored an impressive 595 aerial victories in only 15 months of combat. The group also downed 18.5 Me-262s, the highest of any fighter group during the War. Bud Anderson and Bill Overstreet, the two co-signers of this limited edition, wanted to especially remember two of their friends and fallen squadronmates from the 363rd Fighter Squadron, Jim Browning and Eddie Simpson. Jim Browning was born in Syracuse, Kansas in 1917. In joined the 363rd FS while in training in Tonopah, Nevada in 1943. Browning was officially credited with 7 aerial victories. His regular aircraft was named Gentleman Jim. Jim completed his first tour of duty and was only two missions shy of completing his second when he was reported missing while flying Glen Zarnkes P-5 1, Junior Miss on February 9, 1945. Brownings remains were not recovered and he was listed as Missing in Action despite the best efforts of the Army to resolve its investigation. Merle Olmsted, Historian for the 357th pursued this mystery for fifty years, finally piecing together what apparently happened to Browning on his last mission. During a bomber escort mission the 363rd squadron engaged nine Me-262 jets. Browing and his wingman Captain Bochkay chased a pair of the 262s. At 24,000 feet Bochkay informed Browning that he was cutting him off to pursue the last of the 262s, Browning told Bochkay to keep going as he had him covered. Brownings P-51 collided with one of the 262s piloted by a high-ranking German officer, Oberstleutanant Freiherr Von Riedesel. Baron Von Riedesel was commander of KG(J) 54 a former bomber Gruppe that had been re-equipped with the Me-262 and re-designated as a fighter unit. Edward K. Simpson was from East Orange, New Jersey. Eddies second P-51 was purchased with war bonds sold by the students of East Orange High School and was named The Flying Panther. Simpson joined the 363d squadron at Tonopah, Nevada in the spring of 1943. Eddie was officially credited with 4 1/4 aerial victories. Eddie was a very likable person and a superb pilot and team member. He became a Flight Leader, and on August 10, 1944 Simpson was involved in a inidair collision with his squadron mate Lt. Don Ferron near Sens, France. Ferron was killed, but Eddie survived the collision. He evaded capture by the Germans and was found by the Marquis (French freedom fighters) and taken to their forest camp. Four days later, during a funeral, a German patrol located the Marquis base. Fearing an assault by the Germans the 200-300 freedom fighters boarded a convoy of captured German vehicles to make a run for the approaching Allied forces. They were spotted and pursued by a German column of trucks and armored cars. Simpson and five Marquis jumped out of the last vehicle, set up a machine gun emplacement, and took out the lead German vehicle in the pursuing column. This blocked the road, thereby buying time for the Marquis to escape. All six were killed by the Germans. Eddies bravery is commemorated by a monument in the French village of Ouzouer-sur-Loire. |
|
Contact Details |
|
Sign Up To Our Newsletter!
This website is owned by Cranston Fine Arts. Torwood House, Torwoodhill Road, Rhu, Helensburgh, Scotland, G848LE Contact: Tel: (+44) (0) 1436 820269. Email: cranstonorders -at- outlook.com
|
 |
