"Fighting 17"

Navy Squadron VF-17 was one of the most successful fighting units in the Pacific Theater during WWII. They were known as "The Jolly Rogers" and the skull and crossbones was painted on the cowlings of their Vought F4U-1A Corsairs.  Like the Pirates of the high seas, the sight of the Jolly Rogers struck so much fear in the hearts of the enemy, Japanese pilots referred to them as the "Wolves".  Led by Skipper "Tommy" Blackburn, VF-17 became the rival of Greg "Pappy" Boyington and the famous Black Sheep squadron, their Marine contemporaries.  In only 76 days of combat, VF-17 shot down 152 enemy aircraft - a record no one has beaten. No bomber escorted by the Jolly Rogers was ever lost to enemy aircraft and no ship protected by them was ever hit by a bomb or aerial torpedo. Fighting with their Corsairs, VF-17  became the Top Guns of the PTO. The painting depicts a strafing attack on the Japanese airfield at Lakunai, Rabaul, New Britain, on February 7, 1944.

Fighting 17

L/E of 700 prints
25 x 21 inches
Signed by: RR ADM Roger Hedrick, Robert Jackson, James Streig, and the artist.
$135.00 plus $10.00 S/H
Remarque: add $75.00

Artist Edition:
Signed by: Artist
$75.00 plus $10.00 S/H
Remarque: add $75.00

 Home | Contact Artist | Original Paintings | Limited Editions | Open Editions |Digital Art | Commissioned Work | What's New |

All of the images protected by Copyright Laws and may not be copied or reproduced without express written consent from Jim Laurier.
 ©2002 Jim Laurier