Planejunkie.com announces a New Aviation Book & Print Portfolio by Robert Taylor
Washingtoner/10141888

PUYALLUP, Wash. - Washingtoner -- A dedication to the bomber crews of the United States' Eighth Air Force, each image has been manually signed and personally titled by the artist, and is issued mounted to complete conservation standards with the genuine autographs of some of the most notable personalities to service on B-17s during WWII, such as Bob Morgan, the Belle's Pilot and Captain. A matching-numbered copy of 'The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress – In Air Combat Paintings by Robert Taylor,' produced exclusively for the release and beautifully illustrated from the Military Gallery's archives using a selection of memorable Robert Taylor pieces featuring this legendary aircraft, completes each portfolio.

The Memphis Belle wasn't the first heavy bomber in the Eighth Air Force to complete 25 missions; Hot Stuff, a Consolidated B-24 Liberator with the 93rd Bomb Group, did so on February 7, 1943. The Memphis Belle wasn't the first B-17 Flying Fortress, either; on May 13, the 303rd Bomb Group's Hell's Angels, a B-17F flying out of Molesworth, earned the title. The Memphis Belle, on the other hand, was by far the most well-known, thanks to the clout and glamour of a well-oiled public relations operation.

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The Belle did hold the distinction of being the first B-17 in the 91st Bomb Group to accomplish her 25 missions, unfortunately two days after her normal pilot, Captain Robert K. Morgan, and most of her crew had done so, since they, like many crews, flew other aircraft on occasion. Bob Morgan was now given the task of bringing the Belle and her crew back to the United States for a high-profile, morale-boosting, War-Bond-selling trip. The crew of the Memphis Belle would appear in a film made and produced by famed Hollywood film director William Wyler the next year.

It's no surprise, however, that in his meticulous drawing 'The Rising Mist,' Robert picked the Memphis Belle to represent all of the youthful bomber crews who flew with the Eighth Air Force during WWII. The Memphis Belle is depicted at Bassingbourn, her home port, while the crew waits for the signal to start engines — once the sun has burned off an early morning mist.

Restricted to just FIFTEEN Collector's Editions worldwide, each portfolio contains a copy of the book along with a matching-numbered print, conservation matted to include the signatures of fifteen highly-regarded veterans.

For more information on this item, THE RISING MIST – Book & Print Portfolio - planejunkie (https://planejunkie.com/the-rising-mist-book-print-portfolio/) or other Aviation Art, Books, Gifts, Collectibles, Apparel, and Décor, visit https://planejunkie.com/