In early 1944, P-47D's of the 325th Fighter Group were flying bomber escort missions from their base in Foggia, Italy. In this painting Lt. Col. Robert L. Baseler, flying his personal mount #88 "Big Stud" leads a flight of three aircraft from the 317th Fighter Squadron providing bomber escort for a raid on the rail marshalling yards in Rome. The other aircraft depicted were flown by 1st Lt. Cecil O. Dean in #17, 1st Lt. George P. Novotny in #27 "Ruthless Ruthie / Lady Jane VI, and 2nd Lt. Edsel Paulkin in #33 "Little Sir Echo." I have wanted to paint the aircraft of the "Checkertail Clan" ever since the Museum of Flight in Seattle opened the Personal Courage Wing and put their P-47D on display in Col. Baseler's markings.
*This original work is available for purchase. Acrylic on canvas.Painting size in inches: 24 x 30. Contact Steve Cox by thephone number listed on this website for more information. Please reference "Big Stud."
Signed prints may be ordered through this website by clicking on the "add to cart" button. Print size in inches: 16 x 20 on 18 x 22 paper.
Big Stud
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