| 25" x 21" | "Kittyhawk Pilot Zeroes In" J.F. Edwards Edition Size: 850 |
$95.00 (Cdn) |
This print portrays a Kittyhawk MKI aircraft of No. 260 Squadron RAF, flying over the Western Desert, North Africa, 8 June 1942.
The 'Kittyhawk Pilot', J.F. "Eddie" Edwards is a Canadian, based at Gasr el Arid, Libya.
260 Squadron is airborne on an offensive fighter sweep over "Knights Bridge Crossroads", where a battle rages on the desert floor against General Rommel's advancing Panzer Divisions.
ME109's attack the Squadron over Bir Hacheim, a dog fight ensues, and Edwards shoots one down.
In the lithograph, the artist, Wing Commander (Ret.) "Stocky" Edwards, himself, captures the moment of concentration and suspense as he "zeroes in" on the enemy aircraft over an arid and seemingly empty desert landscape. The faster, higher flying ME-109's held a distinct advantage over the earlier Kittyhawks, and inflicted heavy losses on the valiant allied pilots througout 1941 and 1942. However, the tough, reliable P-40 gave a good account of itself when flown to its potential. A brilliant marksman, Edwards became the R.C.A.F.'s only triple ace of the desert campaign. Three years later the 'Hawk of Maruba' ended his wartime service as a Spitfire Wing Commander with 373 missions to his credit. The kid from Battleford, Saskatchewan, who learned to fly before he could drive a car, remained in the R.C.A.F., led No. 2 Wing (F-86 Sabres) overseas, checked out in the CF-100, and finally retired in 1972 after an amazing 32 year career. He is one of the many who truly "did their bit".
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