Shepherds - a tribute to two WW2 veterans

[Skyraider3D]

Here is my latest artwork, titled "Shepherds".

After my first Mustang image done for veteran pilots, I got many requests for follow-up work for other veterans and their families. This is the latest, made last December as a Christmas gift for two veteran Mustang pilots of the 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group, USAAF. The piece was commissioned by the son of one of the pilots.



The image shows the P-51 Mustangs that the veterans flew during World War II. Here they provide protective escort to a formation of B-17 bombers of the 418th Bomber Squadron of the famous "Bloody 100th" Bomber Group, who are retuning to England after a long mission.

Below two sideview illustrations of the same aircraft. "Wild Will" is a P-51D flown by Lt. Col. James W. Parsons. "Michigan Mauler" is a P-51K flown by Lt. Warner C. Jennings.




After my previous Mustang image, Daddy's Girl, I got many requests for prints. I am happy to announce that prints of all my Mustang artwork is now available through www.digitalaviationart.com. DigitalAviationArt.com is a fairly new website that aims to put the digital aviation artist in the spotlight. Expect it to grow in the near future.

I have half a dozen more Mustang commissions in the works, so I hope you're not tired of them yet
In the meantime I'll be finishing my Corsair and will start a P-47D "Razorback" Thunderbolt as well! My main short-term goal is to reach as many veteran pilots as I can, as they are the ones who appreciate this kind of artwork most. It's a real joy working for them and researching their combat histories is quite addictive too!

[ssg keay]

Hi there Skyraider3D, I wonder if you are interested in doing a print of a pilot and his P-47D-30, who was MIA for 60 years and was found last August by our team. We are contacting artists all around as we want a print for the family and one of the museum. Alas, our one distractor is limited funding as I am active duty military and thus don't get paid those mighty dollars
I have a color photo of the pilot, if that helps. I was thinking of a close-up of him sitting in his cockpit, or as an alternate (also more work), his attack on Werl airfield, where he destroyed a parked Ju88 night fighter seconds before he was shot down by the airfield AA guns.
Thanks SFC Danny Keay

[Boris Ciglic]

Wow,

very impressive! I really enjoy it!

Boris

[Skyraider3D]

Thanks for your replies! Very much appreciated.


Dan, I will first be focussing on the Razorback, but after that I may do a bubbletop as well. Probably not for another year to come though...

[Andy Mac]

Originally Posted by ssg keay

Hi there Skyraider3D, I wonder if you are interested in doing a print of a pilot and his P-47D-30, who was MIA for 60 years and was found last August by our team. We are contacting artists all around as we want a print for the family and one of the museum. Alas, our one distractor is limited funding as I am active duty military and thus don't get paid those mighty dollars
I have a color photo of the pilot, if that helps. I was thinking of a close-up of him sitting in his cockpit, or as an alternate (also more work), his attack on Werl airfield, where he destroyed a parked Ju88 night fighter seconds before he was shot down by the airfield AA guns.
Thanks SFC Danny Keay

Hi Danny - can you tell more about the P47 MIA ?

Thanks, Andy.

[Skyraider3D]

Today I met up with the pilot of the front-most aircraft of the Shepherds artwork. He signed a number of prints for me, which I will soon release as my first limited edition signed print

It was a very enjoyable day, mostly spent in the RAF Museum in London, together with Neil Carroll of www.digitalaviationart.com

Here is a picture of the signing:

[Skyraider3D]

Little update...

"Shepherds" Limited Edition is now signed by both veteran pilots:
http://www.digitalaviationart.com/shepherds_le.html

Lt. Warner Jennings on the left, with Lt. Col. James Parsons next to him adding his signature to the print: