August 2012 Auction Ends Thursday, August 30th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/30/2012
Chennault's Flying Tigers crew signed print. The 1st American Volunteer Group (AVG) or the Flying Tigers, were an elite squad of American military pilots contracted by Roosevelt in WWII. Considered mercenaries by some, they were handsomely paid to assist the Chinese Air Force in its defense against Japan. The flying aces sign the border along with the artist ''Robert Taylor'': ''Tex Hill'', ''Bob Neale'', ''Charles Older'', ''Ed Rector'', ''Dick Rossi'', ''Erik Shilling'', and ''Robert T. Smith''. Commanded by Claire Lee Chennault, the AVG successfully employed high-speed ''boom and zoom'' diving maneuvers in the P-40 fighter planes illustrated here. The actual planes were painted with the sinister toothy grin designs, and the mascot for the entire Flying Tigers squad was designed by Disney. This print is No. 185 in a limited edition of 1250, and is hand-labeled as such on the lower left. Matted and framed to an overall size of 37.25'' x 28.75''. In very good to near fine condition.
Chennault's Flying Tigers -- WWII Print Signed by Aces Tex Hill, Bob Neale, Charles Older, Ed Rector, Dick Rossi, Erik Shilling and Robert T. Smith
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