| | Item Code : DHM2043 | Lone Star Lady by Philip West. - This Edition | |
| | TYPE | EDITION DETAILS | SIZE | SIGNATURES | OFFERS | YOUR PRICE | PURCHASING | | PRINT | Signed limited edition of 500 prints.
| Paper size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm) | Artist : Philip West | £45 Off! | Now : £60.00 |
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| Extra Details : Lone Star Lady by Philip West. | | About all editions : | A photograph of the print edition:
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| The Aircraft : | | Name | Info | | Stratofortress | The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress has played a major role in Americas defense for nearly forty years. In his dramatic painting appropriately entitled B-52s: They Keep On Ticking, aviation artist Stan Stokes depicts an early big-tailed B-52B and a more contemporary B-52G which saw service during Operation Desert Storm. The origins of the development of the B-52 begins way back in the early 1940s. All major aircraft companies were interested in developing the first truly intercontinental bomber. Shortly after WW II the Convair XB-36 and the Northrop XB-35 were developed, and both had intercontinental range. However, neither of these aircraft were capable of penetrating deep into Soviet airspace, and defense planners in the early 1950s presumed that the Soviets would be our prime adversaries for years to come. In 1946 the Air Force issued a requirement for its next generation of strategic bombers. Required was a range of at least 5,000 miles with a minimum 10,000 pound bomb load, a top speed in excess of 450 MPH and an operational ceiling of at least 40,000 feet. Boeing entered this competition with the XB-52 which incorporated six turboprop engines. Part way into prototype development, Boeings designers decided to scrap this design in favor of a swept wing jet powered aircraft. The first XB-52 was rolled out in November of 1951. One major change in the prototype was a complete redesign of the forward fuselage to allow the pilots to sit side-by-side. The B-52B was the first true production model of the Stratofortress. It became operational in 1955 with the Strategic Air Command. On January 16, 1957 SAC demonstrated the amazing capabilities of the B-52 with a non-stop around the world flight covering over 24,000 miles in 45 hours and 19 minutes. The B-52B was phased out in the mid 1960s. The B-52C was the first of these aircraft to be painted gloss white on its entire underside to reflect the heat from nuclear blasts. The C remained in service until 1971. The B-52D saw significant service in Vietnam. Many of these models were modified to carry up to as many as 108 conventional bombs. During a major offensive strike at Hanoi in December 1972 a total of 729 B-52 sorties were flown. Only 15 aircraft were lost, despite the fact that Hanoi was heavily protected with SAMs and anti-aircraft batteries. The B-52G was the first of the short tail models. The manned rear gun turret was removed on these models, and the fuel capacity was significantly increased. The G model was the first of the B-52s to carry cruise missiles, a development which significantly lengthened the useful service life of this aircraft. The B-52G is, like its predecessors, a very large aircraft with a wingspan in excess of 185 feet, and a maximum take off weight of 488,000 pounds. With a range in excess of 7,000 miles and a maximum speed of 634 MPH, the Gs were successfully utilized in the Gulf War, and no doubt will continue to see service for many more years into the future. The B-52 is clearly one of the most unique of all post-WW II military aircraft, and it is interesting to note that it is one of only a very few aircraft designs which is older than most of the pilots who fly it. |
| Artist Details : Philip West | | Click here for a full list of all artwork by Philip West |
Philip West
Philip West is recognised as one of the worlds finest aviation artists. Collectors of his original oil paintings span the globe, many waiting patiently for his next breathtaking canvas to appear. With some one hundred and eight limited editions behind him, a waiting list of commissioned paintings for clients both existing and new, and a head full of ideas for new limited edition prints, life is never dull for this Wiltshire based artist! Self-taught, after years of painting pictures for friends and relatives, Philip took the plunge and became a full-time professional artist. Since then he has developed a very loyal and expanding for both his original paintings and prints. Whilst jets, and Phantoms in particular, light Philips fire, he is also a master painter of piston-engined classics; being renowned for his rendition of Avro Lancasters and Supermarine Spitfires. Philip is also one of the few artists to also enthusiastically paint pictures of Fleet Air Arm aircraft. Philips knowledge of aircraft and the accuracy of his work combine to record a moment in history so perfectly, that both collectors and admirers of his work are able to feel a real sense of the excitement and drama that his work portrays.
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