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Pappy's P-40

$499.00
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SKU:
700700

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Take advantage of the rare opportunity to own commemorative artwork signed by legendary aviator Pappy Boyington!



Stan Stokes. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington was born in Idaho in 1912. On June 15, 1935, he enlisted in the Volunteer Marine Corps Reserve, going on to Pensacola, Florida, for flight training. In November of 1940, Boyington was promoted to Lieutenant, though, on August 26, 1941, he resigned his post in the Marines to accept a position within the newly formed American Volunteer Group — the famed "Flying Tigers" — an American collection of pilots serving in the Chinese Air Force. As a Flying Tiger, though he reportedly did not get along with Claire Chennault, he proved himself as a capable fighter pilot and scored 3.5 victories (though Boyington himself claims the total was much higher).



After his time as a Flying Tiger, Boyington did return to the United States and reenlisted in the Marines where he operated with VMF-121 out of Guadalcanal. It was here that the skilled aviator would make his mark, becoming the Commanding Officer of the Black Sheep Squadron (Marine Fighter Squadron 214). He flew an F4U Corsair, downing 14 enemy warbirds in just 32 days. His 26th victory of the war came on January 3rd, 1944, though shortly thereafter he was shot down, picked up by a Japanese sub, and became a prisoner of war. After Allied victory, however, he was released and awarded both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. He was the top scoring Marine aviator of World War II.



This limited edition print — a very rare and exciting, numbered collectible signed by both the artist and Colonel Boyington himself! — depicts the famous ace during his Flying Tiger days, piloting a shark-mouthed P-40 Warhawk. 27"x 20".