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| 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 |
 Captain David McCampbell (deceased) *Signature Value : £70 | David McCampbell is the highest scoring ace in the history of the United States Navy. A 1933 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he was selected for pilot training in 1937. McCampbell flew with the 'Red Rippers' of VF-4 on the USS Ranger, and was later assigned to the USS Wasp where he served as signal landing officer until the Wasp was lost in September 1942. McCampbell was given command of VF-15 in September of 1943 when this new unit was commissioned at the Atlantic City Naval Air Station. This new unit was equipped with the Grumman F6F Hellcat, which would prove to be superior to the Japanese aircraft which had dominated aerial combat during the early months of the War in the Pacific. VF-15 was initially assigned to the USS Hornet, and during the Hornet's shakedown cruise McCampbell was promoted to Air Group Commander. In May of 1944 Air Group 15 was reassigned to the USS Essex, which took part in the action against the Marianas later that month. On June 19, McCampbell participated in what has been referred to as the biggest carrier battle in the history of naval warfare. McCampbell scored seven victories on that day. During the Marianas campaign Air Group 15 was credited with 104 aerial victories and an additional 136 enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground. The Group also sank 22 enemy ships, and damaged an additional 38 more. During further battles in the Philippines and Formosa, McCampbell continued to achieve victory after victory, despite instructions by his Admiral to avoid taking part in scrambles. During the Battle of Leyte Gulf on October 24, 1944, the Japanese launched three waves of planes totaling in excess of 150 aircraft. The initial wave of this attack was met head-on by only 7 Hellcats including Dave 's. During this engagement, McCampbell shot down eleven enemy aircraft, nine of which were confirmed. On November 5 McCampbell attained his last multiple victory by downing a WaP over Subic Bay, and then a Zeke. Air Group 15 shot down 138 Japanese aircraft and destroyed another 117 on the ground during its final month of operations in the Philippines. The entire unit was awarded a Presidential Citation, and McCampbell was invited to the White House where he was presented the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Franklin Roosevelt. With 34 confirmed aerial victories to his credit, McCampbell also received the Navy Cross, The Legion of Merit, The Silver Star, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. McCampbell modestly credited his success to his ability to conserve both fuel and ammunition. However, it is safe to say that this greatest of all US Navy fighter aces was also both a great pilot, and an excellent marksman. Captain McCampbell passed away on 30th June 1996. |
| The Aircraft : | |
| Name | Info |
| Hellcat | The Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat was to become the US Navys primary carrier borne fighter plane during World War II. Over 12,000 Hellcats were produced, and the Hellcat was credited with 4,947 of the 6,477 kills of enemy planes downed by carrier pilots during the War. The Hellcat had a top speed of 375 MPH, a range of 1,089 miles and was armed with six machine guns. The aircraft was powered by an 18-cylinder Pratt and Whitney, air-cooled, radial engine which generated 2,000 horsepower. |
| Artist Details : Stan Stokes |
| Click here for a full list of all artwork by Stan Stokes |
 Stan Stokes Stan Stokes is a California native with more than 37 years as a full time professional artist, who developed a passion for vintage cars, trains and airplanes at an early age. Model building and RC planes filled the many hours of the young enthusiasts free time. However, unlike most other young aviation enthusiasts Stokes also displayed a great gift for artistic talent. After studying art in College, Stan decided to pursue a career as a professional artist. Stokes initially focused his great talents on depicting uniquely realistic landscapes of the western desert and mountain scenes. More than thirty years ago a good friend suggested that Stan combine his passion for aviation history and flying with his artistic talents, and render an aircraft or two. The rest is history. Stan has won many prestigious awards including the Benedictine Art Award in 1975 and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museums Golden Age of Flight award in 1985. In May of 2000, Stan was honored with the National Museum of Naval Aviations R. G. Smith Award for Excellence in Naval Aviation Art. Commissioned by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, Stans 12 x 120 foot mural of the History of the Flying White House is on permanent display in the Air Force One Pavilion. In addition Stans painting of the USS Ronald Reagan is hanging in the Legacy Room of the library. In 2005 Stan also completed a painting of our nations next aircraft carrier, the USS George H. W. Bush, which is on permanent display at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas. Stan has also completed several impressive murals for the Palm Springs Air Museum including: The Tuskegee Airmen at 12 x 60 feet and contains 51 portraits of the original Tuskegee Airmen. Dauntless at Midway at 12 x 34 feet and Corsair on Approach at 19 x 55 feet. Stans work also hangs in the Air Force art collection, the Pentagon, San Diego Aerospace Museum, and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. Stan has had the pleasure of meeting and working with many of his boyhood aviation heroes, including the late General Jimmy Doolittle, the late Pappy Boyington, Chuck Yeager, and many many others. A true aviation history buff, Stan often spends more time pouring over research materials for his paintings to assure their accuracy to the smallest detail than he does behind the canvas. Noted for his incredible detail and strikingly realistic illustration, Stans canvases have a life-like three-dimensional effect that often leaves viewers spellbound. Today his work encompasses not only aviation and space but also portraits, landscapes, ships, classic cars and his new collection of cat-related fine art paintings. Stan particularly enjoys the tough assignment. During his 37 years as a professional artist, he has been asked to produce literally hundreds of paintings documenting historical events, people and places. Although Stan has logged many hours flying his own airplanes, in recent years pleasure flying has had to take a backseat to the artistic demands of his backlog. Stan was commissioned to paint more than twenty original paintings for an aviation museum being in the Philippines. Since the mid-1980s NASA has also tapped Stans talents from time to time and he has completed more than fifteen paintings ranging from the space shuttles to the SR 71 Blackbird. Stan has also painted numerous works for the cutting edge genius in aviation and space design, Burt Rutan. More about Stan Stokes |
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This website is owned by Cranston Fine Arts. Torwood House, Torwoodhill Road, Rhu, Helensburgh, Scotland, G848LE Contact: Tel: (+44) (0) 1436 820269. Email: cranstonorders -at- outlook.com |
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McCampbell, David 
(signed in person)
McCampbell, David 
(signed in person)
