Return to Gallery > 12 - Vietnam War Era 1965 to 1974
12 - Vietnam War Era 1965 to 1974
Rhino Charge by Rich ThistleBy Rich Thistle ©
On June 2, 1972 , flying an F 4E Phantom II at over 1.2 mach, United States Air Force pilot Maj. Phil "Hands" Handley shot down a MiG 19 with 20mm cannon fire. It was one of the first victories for an F-4 with internal cannon, the only MiG-19 shot down by cannon fire during the course of the Vietnam War, and believed to be the highest speed gun kill in the history of aerial combat. In the back seat was WSO 1/Lt. Jack Smallwood. Phil's best friend and partner on many combat missions, Smallwood was the last rated officer to die in the War of 1000 Days, when his F-4 was shot down over Cambodia as the war ended.
Signed by Col. Handley
Edition size: 500 signed and numbered
Image size: 17 1/4"w x 20"h