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06 - WWII - Americans In Europe
Live To Ride, Fly To Fight by Dan Zoernig
In 1938, the War Department went shopping for a motorcycle. With a 500cc bike in mind, government specs required an iron horse that could maintain a consistent speed of 65mph, ford streams, and keep temps in the green at idle or during slow running. Ruggedness and durability were given requirements for extended use in the field. The competition opened up between Indian and Harley-Davidson. While Indian's designers produced a design to the War Department's exact specifications, William Harley aggressively pushed for a 750cc motorcycle instead, and offered up the Harley-Davidson WLA, a sturdy three-speed machine with four inches of ground clearance and alloy cylinder heads to keep the 23hp engine cool. With over 90,000 units produced during wartime, the Harley-Davidson WLA found favor with servicemen in recon, traffic control, and dispatch duties. Pressed into service as the occasional squadron hack was not unheard of either, with good use being made of the WLA's saddle bags, scabbard and cargo rack.
Operating out of Debden, England in 1944 the US Fourth Fighter Group was credited with 1,016 German aircraft destroyed. Accounting for 45 of these was the team of Captain Dominic (Don) Gentile and his wingman Captain John Godrey, who flew together during most of their tour. Fighting in the P-51B Mustang, both pilots earned their places in history as aggressive and willing dogfighters whose missions often kept them in the cramped cockpits for seven or eight hours at a time. This illustration recalls a maximum effort of the 336th Squadron in the spring of 1944 as the unit attempts to put up all available planes. One flier, perhaps not on the board that day, jumps on the outfit's Harley and roars down an access road adjacent to the strip, as Gentile in the lead Mustang "Shangri-La" just begins to retract his flaps and landing gear.
On his wing is Godrey piloting "Reggie's Reply". The Fourth Fighter Group's famed "Boxing Eagle" emblem is visible on the cowling of Gentile's fighter, the accessory box on the HD WLA, and the rider's leather jacket.
Available as print or canvas.
Edition size: 250 signed and numbered by artist only
Print size: 19"w x 13"h
