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06 - WWII - Americans In Europe
Time To Go To Work by Dan Zoernig
The P-51 Mustangs of the 357th Fighter Group were normally cared for by a crew chief, assistant crew chief and armorer. This illustration honors all crew chiefs, specialists and support personnell. They worked relentlessly in the open during the day or night, in all kinds of weather with great dedication in a trade equally as important as a pilot’s ability. Without them, there would be no flying. There were no 8 hour days as suggested by the flashlight carried by the chief on the right, for Britain’s strict blackout precluded any other kind of lighting during the many nights of work preparing the Mustangs for the next day’s mission. Each of Bud Anderson’s Old Crows had long combat lives in the 363rd Squadron. Never once in 116 combat missions did either ship ever abort or return early due to mechanical problems. Such record is attributed to a pilot who did not abuse his aircraft and to the dedicated care of its ground crew: T/SGT Otto Heino, S/SGT Melvin Schueneman, and S/SGT Leon Zimmerman.
Available as print or canvas.
Edition size: 250 signed and numbered by artist only
Print size: 19"w x 13"h
