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Colonel Don Blakeslee (deceased)

Ace with 15.50 Victories

Joining the RAF in 1940 Don Blakeslee flew Spitfires with 401 Squadron. When the Eagle Squadron were formed he transferred as an experienced flight commander with several victories to his credit. An aggressive and fearless fighter pilot, Blakeslee was promoted to lead 133 Squadron, and was described as the best fighter leader the war produced. Already an Ace, he transferred to the USAAF 4th Fighter Group. By the war end he had over four years of continuous combat flying, and 14.5 air victories to his credit. Colonel Don Blakeslee sadly passed away on 3rd September 2008.

OUR RECOMMENDATION FOR THIS SIGNATURE

P-51 Mustang by Nicolas Trudgian. (G)

DHM2652G. P-51 Mustang by Nicolas Trudgian.

Part of a small print series of six American WW2 aircraft, signed by some of the great American pilots, some no longer with us. Cranston Fine Arts have purchased the last remaining stocks of this aviation series.

Signed by Colonel Walker Bud Mahurin (deceased), Colonel Don Blakeslee (deceased) and the artist.

Signed limited edition of 250 prints. (Mahurin / Blakeslee)

Paper size 11.5 inches x 9 inches (30cm x 23cm)

Price : £55.00

Items Signed by Colonel Don Blakeslee (deceased)

The aircraft in the foreground bears the name Alabama Rammer Jammer, the personal mount of 2/Lt Arthur Cundy ,352nd FS, 353rd FG. The 353rds yellow and black chequered nose bands were one of the most distinctive recognition features of all the Eighths fighter groups. Little Friends by Simon Smith. (B)Click For DetailsDHM1464B
In the dark days of 1940 following Dunkirk, a seemingly defenceless Britain stood starkly alone in Europe, facing the might of an all-conquering Nazi Germany. Protected only by the narrow waters of the English Channel, it was left to a tiny band of young RAF fighter pilots to stem the Luftwaffes onslaught as the country braced itself for invasion. Across the Atlantic, America followed the savage encounters of the Battle of Britain, knowing that soon it too would become involved in the war. Unable to wait, a small band of Americans decided their time had come; some 240 young US pilots, motivated to fight for the cause of freedom, made their way to England to fly with the RAF, and later the USAAF; many paid the ultimate price, more than a third never returning home. By September 1940 these carefree young flyers were united into a re-formed 71 Squadron, the first of three Eagle Squadrons, and the first to go into action, followed shortly after by 121 and 133 squadrons. Showing the same steely determination that had carried their British comrades through the Battle of Britain, they were quickly embraced into the fold of the RAF, their ferocious reputation in combat endearing them to the British people. The legend of the American Eagles was born. Robert Taylors tribute to the young American volunteer pilots who joined the RAF to fight for freedom at the time when Britain stood alone against the Nazi domination in Europe. Robert Taylors painting features Spitfire Vbs of 71 Squadron RAF as they return to their base at North Weald, September 1941, the young American pilots perhaps taking a brief moment to marvel at the myriad colours of the late evening sun – welcome relief from the perils of recent air combat with the Luftwaffe high above the English Channel. Eagle Force by Robert Taylor. (AP)Click For DetailsDHM1639AP
In the dark days of 1940 following Dunkirk, a seemingly defenceless Britain stood starkly alone in Europe, facing the might of an all-conquering Nazi Germany. Protected only by the narrow waters of the English Channel, it was left to a tiny band of young RAF fighter pilots to stem the Luftwaffes onslaught as the country braced itself for invasion. Across the Atlantic, America followed the savage encounters of the Battle of Britain, knowing that soon it too would become involved in the war. Unable to wait, a small band of Americans decided their time had come; some 240 young US pilots, motivated to fight for the cause of freedom, made their way to England to fly with the RAF, and later the USAAF; many paid the ultimate price, more than a third never returning home. By September 1940 these carefree young flyers were united into a re-formed 71 Squadron, the first of three Eagle Squadrons, and the first to go into action, followed shortly after by 121 and 133 squadrons. Showing the same steely determination that had carried their British comrades through the Battle of Britain, they were quickly embraced into the fold of the RAF, their ferocious reputation in combat endearing them to the British people. The legend of the American Eagles was born. Robert Taylors tribute to the young American volunteer pilots who joined the RAF to fight for freedom at the time when Britain stood alone against the Nazi domination in Europe. Robert Taylors painting features Spitfire Vbs of 71 Squadron RAF as they return to their base at North Weald, September 1941, the young American pilots perhaps taking a brief moment to marvel at the myriad colours of the late evening sun – welcome relief from the perils of recent air combat with the Luftwaffe high above the English Channel. Eagle Force by Robert Taylor. (B)Click For DetailsDHM1639B
In the dark days of 1940 following Dunkirk, a seemingly defenceless Britain stood starkly alone in Europe, facing the might of an all-conquering Nazi Germany. Protected only by the narrow waters of the English Channel, it was left to a tiny band of young RAF fighter pilots to stem the Luftwaffes onslaught as the country braced itself for invasion. Across the Atlantic, America followed the savage encounters of the Battle of Britain, knowing that soon it too would become involved in the war. Unable to wait, a small band of Americans decided their time had come; some 240 young US pilots, motivated to fight for the cause of freedom, made their way to England to fly with the RAF, and later the USAAF; many paid the ultimate price, more than a third never returning home. By September 1940 these carefree young flyers were united into a re-formed 71 Squadron, the first of three Eagle Squadrons, and the first to go into action, followed shortly after by 121 and 133 squadrons. Showing the same steely determination that had carried their British comrades through the Battle of Britain, they were quickly embraced into the fold of the RAF, their ferocious reputation in combat endearing them to the British people. The legend of the American Eagles was born. Robert Taylors tribute to the young American volunteer pilots who joined the RAF to fight for freedom at the time when Britain stood alone against the Nazi domination in Europe. Robert Taylors painting features Spitfire Vbs of 71 Squadron RAF as they return to their base at North Weald, September 1941, the young American pilots perhaps taking a brief moment to marvel at the myriad colours of the late evening sun – welcome relief from the perils of recent air combat with the Luftwaffe high above the English Channel.Eagle Force by Robert Taylor. (C)Click For DetailsDHM1639C
A pair of P51D Mustangs of the 361st Fighter Group, 8th Air Force, escort a damaged B17G Flying Fortress of the 381st Bomb Group back to its home base of Ridgewell, England, during the Autumn of 1944. Last One Home by Ivan Berryman. (B)Click For DetailsDHM1724B
With the morning sun glinting on their fuselages, P-51 Mustangs of the 78th Fighter Group cross the Dutch coastline far below, as they head back towards their base at Duxford, England at the end of a long sweep east of the Rhine crossing, Spring 1945. The final months of the war in Europe lie ahead, and for the P-51 pilots victory is within sight. Finally, after years of toil, the sky was theirs. Opening Sky by Robert Taylor. (AP)Click For DetailsDHM1845AP
Spitfires of No.71 Squadron American Eagles fly over a downed Me109 after a dogfight above northern Francce, 1941.Eagles Prey by Robert Taylor.Click For DetailsDHM2077
Spitfires of No.71 Squadron American Eagles fly over a downed Me109 after a dogfight above northern Francce, 1941.Eagles Prey by Robert Taylor (AP)Click For DetailsDHM2077AP
Based at RAF Debden in England under Blakeslees leadership the unit, originally comprising of RAF Eagle Squadron pilots, would produce some of the wars greatest aces. By the end of WWII Blakeslee had flown more combat hours than any US pilot and inspired his group to destroy over 1,000 enemy aircraft. Debden Eagles by John D Shaw.Click For DetailsDHM2638
Based at RAF Debden in England under Blakeslees leadership the unit, originally comprising of RAF Eagle Squadron pilots, would produce some of the wars greatest aces. By the end of WWII Blakeslee had flown more combat hours than any US pilot and inspired his group to destroy over 1,000 enemy aircraft. Debden Eagles by John D Shaw. (B)Click For DetailsDHM2638B
Part of a small print series of six American WW2 aircraft, signed by some of the great American pilots, some no longer with us. Cranston Fine Arts have purchased the last remaining stocks of this aviation series. P-51 Mustang by Nicolas Trudgian. (APC)Click For DetailsDHM2652APC
Part of a small print series of six American WW2 aircraft, signed by some of the great American pilots, some no longer with us. Cranston Fine Arts have purchased the last remaining stocks of this aviation series. P-51 Mustang by Nicolas Trudgian. (APG)Click For DetailsDHM2652APG
Part of a small print series of six American WW2 aircraft, signed by some of the great American pilots, some no longer with us. Cranston Fine Arts have purchased the last remaining stocks of this aviation series.P-51 Mustang by Nicolas Trudgian. (C)Click For DetailsDHM2652C
Part of a small print series of six American WW2 aircraft, signed by some of the great American pilots, some no longer with us. Cranston Fine Arts have purchased the last remaining stocks of this aviation series.P-51 Mustang by Nicolas Trudgian. (G)Click For DetailsDHM2652G
P-51 Mustangs of the 353rd Fighter Group make a low-level run over towns and villages along the Rhine.Eagles Over the Rhine by Robert Taylor.Click For DetailsRST0027
<b>SOLD OUT. Fourth Fighter Patrol by Robert Taylor.Click For DetailsRST0032
<b>SOLD OUT. Home Run by Robert Taylor.Click For DetailsRST0041
78th FG Thunderbolts preparing to depart Duxford - with two visiting 361st FG Mustangs in the background while overhead other 361st FG Mustangs climb away from Bottisham.Outward Bound by Robert Taylor.Click For DetailsRST0064
Colonel Don Blakeslee (deceased)

Squadrons associated with this Signature
NameInfo
336th Fighter Squadron
4th Fighter GroupThe Eagles. Stationed at Debden.
No.133 Sqn RAFEagle

Let us to the battle

No.401 Sqn RAF
No.401 Sqn RCAFRam

Mors cellerima hostibus - Very swift death to the enemy

Aircraft associated with this Signature
NameInfo
SpitfireRoyal Air Force fighter aircraft, maximum speed for mark I Supermarine Spitfire, 362mph up to The Seafire 47 with a top speed of 452mph. maximum ceiling for Mk I 34,000feet up to 44,500 for the mark XIV. Maximum range for MK I 575 miles . up to 1475 miles for the Seafire 47. Armament for the various Marks of Spitfire. for MK I, and II . eight fixed .303 browning Machine guns, for MKs V-IX and XVI two 20mm Hispano cannons and four .303 browning machine guns. and on later Marks, six to eight Rockets under the wings or a maximum bomb load of 1,000 lbs. Designed by R J Mitchell, The proto type Spitfire first flew on the 5th March 1936. and entered service with the Royal Air Force in August 1938, with 19 squadron based and RAF Duxford. by the outbreak of World war two, there were twelve squadrons with a total of 187 spitfires, with another 83 in store. Between 1939 and 1945, a large variety of modifications and developments produced a variety of MK,s from I to XVI. The mark II came into service in late 1940, and in March 1941, the Mk,V came into service. To counter the Improvements in fighters of the Luftwaffe especially the FW190, the MK,XII was introduced with its Griffin engine. The Fleet Air Arm used the Mk,I and II and were named Seafires. By the end of production in 1948 a total of 20,351 spitfires had been made and 2408 Seafires. The most produced variant was the Spitfire Mark V, with a total of 6479 spitfires produced. The Royal Air Force kept Spitfires in front line use until April 1954.

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