| 33" x 21" | "Satan's Angels" Hugh Polder co-signed Edition Size: 750 |
$165.00 (Cdn) |
Major Thomas B. McGuire Jr. won the Congressional Medal of Honor (posthumously) after he gave his life in an attempt to save a fellow pilot who was under attack at low altitude over the Philippine Jungle on January 7, 1945. He had previously received many decorations for shooting down 38 enemy aircraft in the various P-38's he flew ("Pudgy" I, II, III, IV and V). His record as the second ranking U.S.A.F. Ace of all time still stands. Only Major Dick Bong (40 kills) ever shot down more.
Major McGuire gained all his victories with the 431st Fighter SQN of the 475th Fighter group operating in the Pacific Theatre. In October of 1944, Tommy McGuire, flying Pudgy IV at the time, flew with Charles A. Lindberg, who was helping the Airforce to stretch the range of the P-38 even further through better engine operating techniques. Although Lindberg was not to be risked in combat, he flew many missions with the 431st and shot down 2 enemy aircraft. The Lithograph portrays McGuire and Lindberg "Exchanging Notes" after a mission and Hugh Polder has captured the men and the aircraft with breathtaking realism. Reproduced on 100% cotton rag 90 lb. paper this generously sized work is simply outstanding.
 P-38 Ace Major John Tilley joined the 431st in November 1943 and accumulated 556 hours during 159 missions (80 missions with McGuire). Rising to become one of the lead pilots of the 431st, he flew P-38 #116 and was presented with lithograph #116 by artist Hugh Polder. Major Tilley (retired) was pleased to accept "in honor of that wonderful P-38" which he flew in company with all the other great souls (pilots and especially his ground crew) of the famous 431st "Satan's Angels" Fighter Squadron.
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