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THIS ITEM IS INCLUDED IN OUR BUY ONE GET ONE HALF PRICE OFFER ! Choose any two prints in this special offer and the lower priced item is half price. (Any free bonus prints already supplied with an item are separate and will also be included !) Hundreds of items across our websites are included in this offer! |
Signatures on this item | |
*The value given for each signature has been calculated by us based on the historical significance and rarity of the signature. Values of many pilot signatures have risen in recent years and will likely continue to rise as they become more and more rare. | |
Name | Info |
Maj Urban L Drew USAF (deceased) *Signature Value : £40 | Urban 'Ben' Drew was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1924. Three months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, at the age of eighteen, Drew joined the USAAF and commenced pilot training. He earned his wings and a commission at Mariana, Florida in October 1943. He remained in the States honing his flying skills as an instructor pilot for the North American P-51 Mustang at Bartow, Florida. In May of 1944 he received his first overseas combat assignment, sailing to England on the Queen Elizabeth. He was assigned to the 375th Fighter Squadron 'Yellowjackets' of the 361st Fighter Group based in at Bottisham in Cambridgeshire. Later his squadron would be relocated to Little Walden in Essex. During his combat tour Drew would fly a total of seventy-five combat missions, rising to command of X Flight and later to command of the 375th squadron. Drew would be officially credited with six aerial victories during his combat tour. Notable was his downing of two Me-262 jets on October 7, 1944. He was the first fighter pilot to down two of the German jets, and he received the Air Force Cross for this achievement. Also of note was the ace's destruction of the largest aircraft to fly in WW 11, the BV-238, which he destroyed in a strafing pass with two wingman on Lake Schaal on September 18, 1944. Initially he was credited with the destruction of a BV-222, and it was not until many years later during the research for a British Broadcasting Company documentary that it became clear that it was a BV-238 which Drew and his wingmen strafed and destroyed on September 18, 1944. Following his successful combat tour, Drew returned to the States where he again served as a flight instructor. In 1945 he was assigned to the 412 th Fighter Squadron of the 414 th Fighter Group based at lwo Jima flying the P-47 Jug. Drew's final victory tally included 6 confirmed aerial victories, 1 damaged, and 1 additional aircraft destroyed on the ground. In addition to the Air Force Cross, Drew was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 14 Air Medals. Following the War Drew helped organize the 127 th Fighter Group of the Michigan National Guard. He became Deputy Group Commander and later was appointed the first Air Adjutant General of the State of Michigan. After his retirement from the Air Force with the rank of Major, he established an aviation business in Britain and South Africa. He currently resides in Southern California, and remains active in matters involving the American Fighter Aces Association. Sadly we have learned that Ben Drew passed away on 3rd April 2013. |
The Aircraft : | |
Name | Info |
Mustang | The ubiquitous North American P-51 Mustang, which many consider to be the best all-around fighter of WW II, owes its origins to the British Air Ministry. Following Britains entry into WW II in 1939, the RAF was interested in purchasing additional fighter aircraft from American sources, particularly the Curtiss P-40. Curtiss, which was busy, was unable to guarantee timely delivery so the British approached North American Aviation as a possible second source for the P-40. North American chose to propose its own fighter design which would use the same Allison engine as the P-40. Utilizing new laminar flow wings, the North American fighter was expected to have performance better than the P-40. Developed in record time the new aircraft was designated as a Mustang I by the Brits, whereas the USAAF ordered two for evaluation which were designated XP-51 Apaches. Intrigued with the possibility of using this aircraft also as a dive bomber, North American proposed this to the USAAF which decided to order 500 of the P-51 aircraft to be modified for dive bombing use. Designated as the A-36 Invader, this version of the Mustang utilized dive flaps, and bomb racks under each wing. Some reinforcing of the structural members was also required because of the G-forces to be encountered in dive bombing. A-36s entered combat service with the USAAF prior to any P-51s. In early 1943 the 86th and 27th Fighter Bomber Groups of the 12th Air Force began flying A-36s out of Northern Africa. Despite some early problems with instability caused by the dive flaps, the A-36 was effective in light bombing and strafing roles. It was not, however, capable of dog fighting with German fighters, especially at higher altitudes. Despite these drawbacks one USAAF pilot, Captain Michael T. Russo, who served with the 16th Bomb Squadron of the 27th Fighter Bomber Group, was credited with five confirmed aerial victories in the A-36, thereby becoming the first mustang ace. |
Artist Details : Brian Bateman |
Click here for a full list of all artwork by Brian Bateman |
Brian Bateman His interest began as a child growing up in Dayton, Ohio. His best friend began showing him drawings of airplanes that he drew off of model box tops and that was it. Brian immediately began to draw aircraft and since then has not looked back. He became enthused with model building, dioramas, and research books---anything and everything Brian could get on the subject of WWII. It helped that Brian lived in an area where aviation was at the forefront, most notably Wright-Patterson AFB and its wonderful museum. I remember having my father take me there almost once a week for awhile, until I could get my driver's license to go there myself. I would spend countless hours looking at not only the planes, but the paint, rivets, wheel wells; anything you can imagine. I also remember studying and reading everything I could get my hands on regarding military aviation; in particular the Luftwaffe. Brian also remembers the first time he saw an aviation painting. It was in his junior year in high school; a Robert Taylor painting of The Battle of Britain. How wonderful he thought, to be able to paint scenes such as these and make a living out of it. The dream was cast, but was there a market out there for this small, select subject? In the late 1980s Brian moved to San Diego California, a state where there are many vintage planes and restoration facilities available, not to mention near-perfect weather all year around. In 1995 his first aviation painting, Shadow of the Moon, was well received, and Brian went to print with it. The painting continues to be one one his best sellers and a personal favorite. Another favorite is Topaz One, one of his latest releases, as it depicts a personal friend, Bruce Porter, and his Hellcat over Okinawa in late 1945. Brian started Bateman Galleries the same year, trying to make a well-rounded business out of his love for aviation and for art in general. The gallery has grown over the years to include many facets of his art, and not just aviation. Brian has since released 6 prints on the market and continues to strive to produce quality work at a level where others can enjoy it. His edition sizes remain small, at 250, to increase collectability and to have a better market value. Brian has opened this web site to expand on his vision of having his art reach more people. The site showcases his many talents and diverse styles, from aviation to military history, to wildlife and the human figure. I realize that there are many wonderful artists working in the aviation field today: Ferris, Taylor, Trudgian, Grinnell, and Crandall have been some of my personal favorites over the years for many reasons. One of the thrills I have had was meeting Robert Taylor. I remember that not only was he a super talent, but one of the nicest guys I have met. I think a well-rounded sense of one's self is just as important as one's talents. Please visit and view his many print releases along with his original art for those who are interested in collecting for investment. Brian is a participant of the CAF - Air Group One in San Diego, and has been privileged to have met many of the subjects in his paintings. He lives in San Diego with his family and two pets. His wonderful support from all his family, friends, and relatives are an inspiration and sense of stability. More about Brian Bateman |
Related Pages :
Brian Bateman Original Aviation Drawings
Contact Details |
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