Looking for Trouble

BY ROBERT TAYLOR

The P-51 Mustang was a triumph – conceived and born in a shorter period than any other significant aircraft in history and testament to its designer Edgar Schmued, and the people who built it.

It was fast, manoeuvrable, hard-hitting and, by the time it was combined with Rolls-Royces’ legendary Merlin engine, was capable of outperforming anything the enemy could throw at it. With the arrival of the long-range fighter the heavy bombers of the USAAF could now be escorted all the way to the German capital and back so whilst the RAF pounded Berlin at night, the Mighty Eighth would do the same by day. When P-51s first appeared in the skies over Berlin, Hermann Goering was reported to have announced that he knew then the war was lost.

A special new breed of men flew the Mustang as the Allies pushed for victory in Europe. Tough, supremely confident, determined, and gloriously brave; it was an era that belonged to them and the P-51 helped produce some of the greatest Aces of the war. In fact, the Mustang was responsible for more US victories than any other fighter of WWII.

So it is to honor the heroic pilots who flew and fought in this iconic machine that Robert Taylor has chosen this classic portrait, completed with all of his usual mastery of his craft, in tribute to all USAAF units that flew the Mustang.

Set against a dramatic bank of clouds, Looking for Trouble portrays P-51Ds of the 352nd Fighter Group with full long-range tanks slung under their wings, heading out from their forward base in Belgium on an extended sweep east of the Rhine crossing on the lookout for enemy aircraft, in the spring of 1945.

Overall size: 23¼" x 29¼"

"Looking for Trouble" is Available in the following editions:

• Limited Edition: Signed by three P-51 Mustang combat pilots - 150 prints ($325)
• Collector's Edition: Signed by eight P-51 Mustang combat pilots - 175 prints ($415)
• Artist's Proof: As above - 25 prints ($550)
• Remarque: As above - 15 prints ($1,195)
• Double Remarque: As above - 10 prints ($2,095)
• Tribute Edition: As above with matted original drawing and six additional signatures - 5 prints ONLY ($3,495)

Each print in the 14 signature Tribute edition is issued with an original pencil drawing by Robert Taylor, which is also signed by four highly distinguished P-51 pilots.

The drawing is conservation matted to include the signatures of a further two P-51 Aces.

LIMITED EDITION SIGNATURES

• Capt. Jim Brooks
• Major General Wayne C. Gatlin
• Lt. Col. Walter M. Drake

COLLECTORS, A/P & REMARQUE EDITION SIGNATURES

• Maj. Jim Brooks
• Maj General Wayne C. Gatlin
• 1st. Lt. Walter M. Drake
• Lt. Joseph Cannon
• Lt. Col. James Carl
• Col. Joseph Joiner
• Lt. Col. Huie Lamb
• Brig General Frank Gailer

TRIBUTE EDITION SIGNATURES

• Maj. Jim Brooks
• Maj General Wayne C. Gatlin
• 1st. Lt. Walter M. Drake
• Lt. Joseph Cannon
• Lt. Col. James Carl
• Col. Joseph Joiner
• Lt. Col. Huie Lamb
• Brig General Frank Gailer
• Col. Clarence ‘Bud’ Anderson
• Lt. Col. Clyde B. East
• Col. Charle E. McGee
• Brig Gen. Robin Olds
• Col. James Goodson
• Maj. Richard ‘Bud’ Peterson