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Hellcat Fury by Robert Taylor.
Truk, the small atoll in the South Pacific, was the major anchorage for the
Japanese Fleet. Comprising a magnificent harbor and four heavily defended
airfields, it was thought impregnable by the US forces as they fought their way
up through the Pacific. But on 16-17 February 1944 a violent two-day aerial
assault by carrierborne aircraft of Task Force 58 exploded the myth. In just two
days the US Navy flyers sunk over 200,000 tons of Japanese naval shipping and
destroyed an estimated 275 enemy aircraft, totally eliminating all effectiveness
of the Japanese base. Light as the US Navy losses were only 25 aircraft failed
to return the battle for Truk was ferocious. The ground installations, ships,
and airfield batteries put up intense antiaircraft fire against the attacking
American aircraft, while Zeros did their best to repel the onslaught. The air
above the atoll became a maelstrom of flak, tracer, flying lead and shrapnel,
while below huge explosions rocked the ground as ammo and fuel dumps were hit,
fires raged, and the acrid smoke of battle pervaded the entire area. In this
important new painting, his first featuring the F6F Hellcat, Robert Taylor
brings to life the scenario that was crucial to Admiral Spruances forceful drive
through the Central Pacific. The once feared Japanese base at Truk is being
reduced to a statistic of war. Hellcats of VF6 hurtle across the lagoon at
masthead height with guns blazing, creating havoc as they tear into the enemy
positions below. Seen in the foreground is the F6F-3 of Lt. Alex Vracui,
subsequently to become one of the Navys top guns. This exhilarating work
dramatically conveys the awesome conditions endured day after day by the pilots
of the US Navy and Marine Corps in the Pacific. |
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Hellcat Fury by Robert Taylor.
Truk, the small atoll in the South Pacific, was the major anchorage for the Japanese Fleet. Comprising a magnificent harbor and four heavily defended airfields, it was thought impregnable by the US forces as they fought their way up through the Pacific. But on 16-17 February 1944 a violent two-day aerial assault by carrierborne aircraft of Task Force 58 exploded the myth. In just two days the US Navy flyers sunk over 200,000 tons of Japanese naval shipping and destroyed an estimated 275 enemy aircraft, totally eliminating all effectiveness of the Japanese base. Light as the US Navy losses were only 25 aircraft failed to return the battle for Truk was ferocious. The ground installations, ships, and airfield batteries put up intense antiaircraft fire against the attacking American aircraft, while Zeros did their best to repel the onslaught. The air above the atoll became a maelstrom of flak, tracer, flying lead and shrapnel, while below huge explosions rocked the ground as ammo and fuel dumps were hit, fires raged, and the acrid smoke of battle pervaded the entire area. In this important new painting, his first featuring the F6F Hellcat, Robert Taylor brings to life the scenario that was crucial to Admiral Spruances forceful drive through the Central Pacific. The once feared Japanese base at Truk is being reduced to a statistic of war. Hellcats of VF6 hurtle across the lagoon at masthead height with guns blazing, creating havoc as they tear into the enemy positions below. Seen in the foreground is the F6F-3 of Lt. Alex Vracui, subsequently to become one of the Navys top guns. This exhilarating work dramatically conveys the awesome conditions endured day after day by the pilots of the US Navy and Marine Corps in the Pacific.
Aces Edition. Signed limited edition of 450 prints. Paper size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm). Price £200.00 Signed by Commander Willis E Hardy USN, Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN (deceased) and Commander Alex Vraciu USN.
War in the Pacific Edition. Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Paper size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm). Price £395.00 Signed by Commander Willis E Hardy USN, Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN (deceased), Commander Alex Vraciu USN, Commander John Ted Crosby USN, Colonel Archie G Donahue USMC (deceased), Lt Commander Fred Buck Dungan USN, Lt Commander James E Duffy USN, Captain John R Strane USN (deceased) and Commander Ed Wendy Wendorf USN.
War in the Pacific Edition. Signed limited edition of 300 prints. Image size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm). Price £250.00 Signed by Commander Willis E Hardy USN, Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN (deceased), Commander Alex Vraciu USN, Commander John Ted Crosby USN, Colonel Archie G Donahue USMC (deceased), Lt Commander Fred Buck Dungan USN, Lt Commander James E Duffy USN, Captain John R Strane USN (deceased) and Commander Ed Wendy Wendorf USN.
Portfolio Publisher Proof Edition. Signed limited edition of 75 prints. Paper size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm). Price £ Signed by Commander Willis E Hardy USN, Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN (deceased), Commander Alex Vraciu USN, Commander John Ted Crosby USN, Colonel Archie G Donahue USMC (deceased), Lt Commander Fred Buck Dungan USN, Lt Commander James E Duffy USN, Captain John R Strane USN (deceased), Commander Ed Wendy Wendorf USN, Colonel Bruce Porter USMC (deceased), Colonel James E Swett USMC MOH (deceased) and Captain Stanley Swede Vejtasa USN.
ITEM CODE NT0007
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Hellcat Fury by Robert Taylor
- The Signatures
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 | Commander Willis E Hardy USN
Bill Hardy enlisted in the US Navy in 1939, and after working his way up through the ranks was commissioned in 1943, thereby enabling him to change from flying seaplanes to the latest fighters. Assigned to Fighting Seventeen, he flew the F6F Hellcat from the USS Hornet, and took part in the strikes against Tokyo, the landings on Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, where on 6th April 1945 he downed four Japanese planes in a day. That day also saw him make his first night-time deck landing after he remained in combat too long heading off a tenacious attack by Kaikazes against a US destroyer. Bill finished the war with 6.5 aerial victories, and retired from the service in 1959.
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 | Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN (deceased)
Hamilton Mac McWhorter first saw combat with VF-9 flying the F4F Wildcat from the USS Ranger in strikes against Casablanca. In March 1943 he transferred to the new F6F Hellcat aboard USS Essex in the Pacific, and participated in the strikes against Marcus, Wake, Marshall and Gilbert Islands, Rabaul, Truk - where he scored a notable triple victory in a few minutes, and Saipan. Joining VF-12 aboard USS Randolph, he took part in strikes against Tokyo in February 1945, and Iwo Jima and Okinawa. With 12 air victories in 89 combat missions Mac McWhorter was the first carrier-based pilot to become an F6F double Ace. He retired from the navy in 1969. Sadly, he passed away on 12th April 2008.
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 | Commander Alex Vraciu USN
Alex Vraciu first saw combat flying the F6F Hellcat off carriers with VF-6, becoming an Ace in January 1944 aboard the USS Lexington. His tally of victories continued to mount, and during the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot he splashed six dive-bombers in eight minutes, the following day adding a Zero, bringing his total to 19. His luck ran out in December 1944 when he was shot down strafing an airfield. Bailing out, he spent five weeks with Filipino guerrillas before meeting up with advancing Americans. He ended the war as the US Navys fourth highest Ace, and he retired in 1963.
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Commander John Ted Crosby USN
Ted Crosby joined the Navy in 1942, and was commissioned in May 1943. Serving on board USS Bunker Hill with VF-18 flying F6F Hellcats, he shared in downing a Betty bomber. Transferring to VF-17 he served on USS Hornet from January 1945 where he scored a further five victories, including three in a day on 16th April, to become a Hellcat Ace.
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Colonel Archie G Donahue USMC (deceased)
Archie Donahue was born in Casper, Wyoming in 1917. He attended schools in Wyoming until 1934 when his family moved to Texas. He had his first airplane ride at the age of eight and the flying bug bit him. Archic completed three years of engineering studies at the University of Texas before joining the Navy as an Aviation Cadet. During his training Archie was stationed at Kansas City, Jacksonville, and finally Corpus Christi. He requested a transfer to the Marine Corps, and upon his graduation he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in February of 1942. After a short posting to Norfolk, Archie was assigned to VMF-112, which was nicknamed the "Wolfpack." The squadron was sent to Guadacanal in September where they commenced combat missions flying the Grumman F4F Wildcat. Archie would soon transition to the state-of-the-art F4U-1 Corsair. Between September 1942 and June of 1943 Archie was credited with nine aerial victories. One of these was achieved in the Wildcat with the balance attained while piloting the Corsair. On May 13, 1943 Archic would down five A6M3 Zeros during a single mission. In June of 1943 VMF-112 returned to the States, and the squadron was disbanded. Serving as a flight officer at El Toro Air Station in California, Archie was given the assignment of carrier qualifying VMF-451. In February of 1945 VMF-451 began combat operations flying from the deck of the USS Bunker Hill. For the next three months Donahue and his squdroninates flew numerous missions in support of the landings at lwo Jima and Okinawa, as well as strikes at the Japanese mainland, and in the process earning the nickname "Angels of Okinawa." On April 12, 1945 Donahue was once again credited with five victories during a fierce aerial battle over Okinawa. On May 11 th Archie's flight of 16 Corsairs had just returned to the carrier, and as the pilots completed their debriefing the Bunker Hill was hit by two Kamikaze aircraft, setting off a huge fire and killing 346. The Bunker Hill had to be withdrawn from action. Donahue returned to the States where he was made Commander of a squadron at El Toro. He was later transferred to Quantico, a large Marine base near Washington, DC. Archie flew a total of 215 combat missions during WWII including 56 from the deck of the Bunker Hill. He was credited with a total of 14 confirmed aerial victories. He had more than 4000 flying hours in military aircraft and 110 successful carrier landings. Although he never crashed an airplane, Archie was reported killed during aerial gunnery training when a student made a beautiful run and cut the tail off Archie's plane about five feet behind his head. Archie is a recipient of the Navy Cross, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, and five Air Medals. Archie has also been an active participant in the Confederate Air Force, and in 1990 he piloted an SBD with an unusual pilot, Saburo Sakai, the high scoring Japanese ace who was shot down in WWII by the rear gunner of a SBD. Following his retirement from military service in 1958 Archie began a long and successful career in real estate development. Archie lives in Texas with his wife Mary. They have five children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Sadly, he passed away on 30th July 2007.
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Lt Commander Fred Buck Dungan USN
Commissioned in October 1942, Fred Dungan joined VF(N)-76 and served with them flying the F6F Hellcat from USS Yorktown until April 1944. He then transferred with the unit to USS Hornet until July 1944, when he was wounded and sent back to hospital. He was credited with 7 victories, all in the Hellcat, including four in one day.
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Lt Commander James E Duffy USN
James Duffy joined the Navy in 1942. Designated a naval aviator he was commissioned in July 1943. Assigned to VF-15 flying the F6F Hellcat, he served aboard the USS Essex from May 1944, scoring his first victory in June. He achieved his fifth and final victory to become an Ace on 5th November 1944 against an Oscar over Luzon.
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Captain John R Strane USN (deceased)
One of VF-15s leading Aces with 13 victories, John Strane had joined the Navy in April 1941. Assigned to VF-15 in August 1943 flying the F6F Hellcat, he served on the USS Essex scoring his first victories - three in a day, on June 19th 1944. On 25th October he downed four Zekes in a day but was shot down into the sea and wounded, being picked up the next day by the destroyer USS Cotten. He scored his victory in November 1944. Sadly, John Roberts Strane passed away on 7th April 2009.
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Commander Ed Wendy Wendorf USN
On his very first combat mission, with VF-16, he was hit by flak, which disabled his compass and radio; downed two Japanese aircraft, was badly wounded in a dogfight, and bleeding heavily flew 120 miles back to his carrier - the USS Lexington, without flaps, tailhook, or brakes. Recovered aboard, he was sent to the sick bay, and almosy immediately the Lexington was hit by an aerial torpedo that flooded the sick quarters. He just escaped with his life! He survived to fly during the Truk raids, took part in the Marianas Turkey Shoot, and survived a ditching during the Mission Beyond Darkness. He finished the war with 6 victories.
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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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 | Captain Stanley Swede Vejtasa USN
Commissioned in August 1939, Swede Vejtasas first combat assignment was in May 1942 whilst flying the SBD Dauntless with VS-5 aboard the USS Yorktown during the Battle of the Coral Sea. here he participated in the attack on the Japanese carrier Shoho, and flew anti-torpedo plane patrol, claiming three Zeroes. Switching to fighters with VF-10 flying the F4F Wildcat aboard the USS Enterprise he took part in the Battle of Santa Cruz, where he notched up 7 air victories on one flight in October. In March 1943 he flight-tested the new F4U Corsair in the combat zone. His final tally for the war was 11 aerial victories.
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