"THE BLACK SHEEP"
BY NICOLAS TRUDGIAN
Autographed by 2 - 7 Black Sheep pilots.
Limited edition signed and numbered by the artist.
Size: 24" x 35.5"
Price: $175 - 325
— SOLD OUT —
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Few fighter units in World War II gained as much notoriety or served with a much
distinction as the VMF-214 "Black Sheep" Squadron. One of only two Marine Corps
fighter squadrons to win the coveted Presidential Unit Citation, the "Black
Sheep" are remembered today as a legendary unit. With American forces pushing up through the South Pacific, the First Marine Air
Wing was looking for a seasoned leader to form a unit to take the new F4U
fighter into combat. Marine ace "Pappy" Boyington had the combat experience and
rank to lead a squadron and was a natural choice. Recruiting pilots from the reserve pool and others awaiting assignment to
squadrons, Boyington knocked them into one of the most effective fighter units
in the South Pacific. In the first twelve weeks of operation they brought down
97 Japanese aircraft, of which 95 were fighters. During this period they lost
only 11 pilots. VMF-214 saw action at Guadalcanal, the northern Solomons and Vella Lavella. They
were the first to strafe Kahili, the first to operate from the field at Munda
while it was still under enemy artillery fire and the first to lead fighter
sweep over Rabaul. Trudgian's outstanding new painting captures the scene at
Vella Lavella as Boyington leads the "Black Sheep" off the island strip to escort
a B-17 Flying Fortress raid on Rabaul in December, 1943. Boyington led his
"Black Sheep" pilots through two combat tours before he was brought down and
taken prisoner. Nicolas Trudgian's fine new image pays tribute to one of the most illustrious
fighter squadrons in U.S. Marine Corps history. Each print in this limited
edition is personally signed by the "Black Sheep" fighter pilots of VMF-214. The Fighter Pilots Edition
2 signatures:
– Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. McClurg
– Brigadier General Bruce J. Matheson USMC
125 Signed and Numbered
$175
The Black Sheep Edition
All signatures from the Fighter Pilots Edition, plus:
– Lieutenant Colonel W. Thomas Emrich USMC
– Colonel Edwin A. Harper USMC
– Lieutenant Colonel William D. Heier USMC
– Lieutenant Colonel James J. Hill USMC
– Captain Fred S. Losch USMC
(7 total signatures)
| 500 Signed and Numbered | $225 |
Artist Proof
All signatures from the Black Sheep Edition
| 25 Signed and Numbered | $325 |