Cranston Military Prints .com Home Page
Customer Helpline (UK) : 01436 820269
Subscribe to our Newsletter!

You currently have no items in your basket

Payment Options Display
Buy with confidence and security!
Publishing historical art since 1985


Navigation Menus
Military
Art Index
Aviation
Art Index
Naval
Art Index
Artists
Index
Product Search         
Aviation
History Archive
Naval
History Archive
HALF PRICE AND FREE PRINT SPECIAL OFFERS
ALWAYS GREAT OFFERS :
20% FURTHER PRICE REDUCTIONS ON HUNDREDS OF LIMITED EDITION ART PRINTS
BUY ONE GET ONE HALF PRICE ON THOUSANDS OF PAINTINGS AND PRINTS
FOR MORE OFFERS SIGN UP TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Colonel Richard Willsie - Cranston-Military-Prints.com Aviation Art Store
Aviation Art Collecton - Colonel Richard Willsie





Died : 2013

Joining up in 1942, Dick Willsie was posted to North Africa with the 414th Night Fighter Squadron, where he flew 31 missions on the Beaufighter. He transferred to the 96th Fighter Squadron, 82nd Fighter Group, flying the P38 Lightning on 82 day missions through to the end of hostilities in Europe. Willsie would go on to serve in both Korea and Vietnam, and Willsie became the commanding officer of the 602nd Air Commando Squadron and retired in 1974. Dick Willsie was born on the 6th of September 1920 in Michigan USA and joined the US Air force in 1942. Dick Willsie was posted to North Africa with the 414th Night-fighter Squadron, where he flew 31 missions on the Beaufighter. He transferred to the 96th FS, 82nd Fighter Group, flying the P38 Lightning on 82 day missions through to the end of hostilities in Europe. He notched up a large number of ground attack victories as well as three aerial victories in his P38 'Snake Eyes'. On one mission Captain Richard 'Dick' Willsie's P-38 was damaged by flak near Ploesti, Romania. Lieutenant Willsie felt the bullets tearing into his aircraft, the force of the hits actually making his feet bounce on the rudder pedals. He noticed oil leaking from the left engine, and then the engine lost oil pressure. Willsie immediately feathered the propeller, turning the blades edge on to present the least resistance to the wind, and headed for home, his right engine at full power. Then he noticed coolant streaming from his remaining good engine. Within minutes he would be without power. He immediately reported over the radio that he was going down. One of the many to hear his broadcast announcement was 19-year-old Richard T. 'Dick' Andrews, who flew with the same 82nd Fighter Group as Willsie. But unlike the more experienced Willsie, Andrews had less than 100 flying hours in the P-38. Pick a good field, radioed the youngster, and I will come in after you.It was a strange message; it made no sense. But Willsie had no time to wonder about it. His remaining engine was popping loudly, a fresh hit shattered his windscreen and bloodied his forehead, and a plowed field appeared ahead. As his wounded fighter barely made it over the final obstacle he planted his forehead firmly against the padded gun sight. That did not prevent his nose taking a beating as his plane skidded to a stop with its wheels retracted. Scrambling from the cockpit as quickly as possible, he - as per instructions - destroyed his P-38 with a small phosphorous bomb. With truckloads of enemy troops approaching from beyond some trees six Me-109 German fighters appeared overhead. And a second P-38 was coming toward him with its landing gear down! Other Lightnings engaged the Me-109s and Andrews set his P-38 down, landing in line with the plowed furrows. Willsie raced to the plane, praying it might be his salvation, praying they would both be able to fit into the one small seat. Andrews threw his parachute - and everything else that was handy and not nailed down - out of the cockpit. With no time to think of how it might be done both men climbed hurriedly into the plane 'with miraculous precision,' as the older pilot would later joke. At Andrews' suggestion the more experienced Willsie took the controls. With Andrews in back, one leg slung over Willsie's shoulder, the two somehow managed to close and securely lock the canopy. They barely cleared the trees at the end of their improvised 'runway' and quickly ran into inclement weather and became separated from the other P-38s. With no map and fully expecting to be greeted by friendly fire because of their aircraft type, with which the Russians might not be familiar, they headed for an air base at nearby Poltava. Word of the rescue spread and others tried to emulate it. But so many were injured in these attempts that the USAAF had to issue orders forbidding the use of such tactics. Richard T. Andrews was awarded the Silver Star for his unique rescue. Willsie would go on to serve in both Korea and Vietnam, and Willsie became the commanding officer of the 602nd Air Commando Squadron and retired in 1974. Colonel Richard Willsie died on Febuary 16th, 2013 in Dana Point, Orange County, California.

Based on many years of experience in dealing with thousands of aviation signatures, we have estimated the value this signature adds to a print as £45


Lightning Encounter by Nicolas Trudgian.


Lightning Encounter by Nicolas Trudgian.

P-38 Lightnings launching a surprise attack on a German freight train as it winds its way through the hills of Northern France towards the battle front, shortly before D-Day, 1944.
Item Code : DHM2026Lightning Encounter by Nicolas Trudgian. - Editions Available
FULL DETAILS
DESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASINGPACKS
Signed limited edition of 1000 prints.
Great value : Value of signatures exceeds price of item!
Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm)
Willsie, Dick

Died : 2013
Colonel Richard Willsie (deceased)
Joining up in 1942, Dick Willsie was posted to North Africa with the 414th Night Fighter Squadron, where he flew 31 missions on the Beaufighter. He transferred to the 96th Fighter Squadron, 82nd Fighter Group, flying the P38 Lightning on 82 day missions through to the end of hostilities in Europe. Willsie would go on to serve in both Korea and Vietnam, and Willsie became the commanding officer of the 602nd Air Commando Squadron and retired in 1974. Dick Willsie was born on the 6th of September
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Blumer, Larry

Died : 1997
Captain Larry Blumer (deceased)
Assigned to the 393rd Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, Scrappy, nicknamed after his 'Scrap Iron' P-38, became one of the few fighter pilots to become an 'ace-in-a-day' when he shot down five FW-190s in 15 minutes of aerial combat on 25 August 1944. Scrappy rose to command the 393rd and destroyed another FW-190 before returning to the States in January 1945. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal with
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Dobrowolski, Joseph A

Died : 2006
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph A Dobrowolski (deceased)
Enlisting in June 1942, Joseph Dobrowolski was assigned to the 367th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force, and arrived the European Theater, April 1944, flying P-38s out of Stoney Cross in England. He flew his first combat mission a month later. Flying throughout the whole D-Day invasion period he notched up 175 combat hours, the majority in the hazardous ground-attack role, chalking up many ground victories before returning to the U.S. in November 1944. He retired Lieutenant Colonel in 1967. Joe Dobro
Signature Value : £50
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Milliken, Robert C

First Lieutenant Robert C Milliken
Robert C. Milliken joined the U.S. Army Air Force in June of 1942. After training he was assigned to fly P-38s for the 429th Fighter Squadron of the new 474th Fighter Group out of Warmwell England in late April of 1944. Second Lieutenant Milliken flew his first combat mission on April 30, 1944. During his participation in D-Day operations, and thereafter, he flew a great variety of missions claiming his first of several victories when he shot down a German FW-190 in an air battle fought between
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Nicolas Trudgian
£100 Off!
Add any two items on this offer to your basket, and the lower priced item will be half price in the checkout!
Now : £180.00

Quantity:
In 2 Pairs
and 1 Pack
View
Limited edition of artist proofs. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm)
Willsie, Dick

Died : 2013
Colonel Richard Willsie (deceased)
Joining up in 1942, Dick Willsie was posted to North Africa with the 414th Night Fighter Squadron, where he flew 31 missions on the Beaufighter. He transferred to the 96th Fighter Squadron, 82nd Fighter Group, flying the P38 Lightning on 82 day missions through to the end of hostilities in Europe. Willsie would go on to serve in both Korea and Vietnam, and Willsie became the commanding officer of the 602nd Air Commando Squadron and retired in 1974. Dick Willsie was born on the 6th of September
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Blumer, Larry

Died : 1997
Captain Larry Blumer (deceased)
Assigned to the 393rd Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, Scrappy, nicknamed after his 'Scrap Iron' P-38, became one of the few fighter pilots to become an 'ace-in-a-day' when he shot down five FW-190s in 15 minutes of aerial combat on 25 August 1944. Scrappy rose to command the 393rd and destroyed another FW-190 before returning to the States in January 1945. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal with
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Dobrowolski, Joseph A

Died : 2006
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph A Dobrowolski (deceased)
Enlisting in June 1942, Joseph Dobrowolski was assigned to the 367th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force, and arrived the European Theater, April 1944, flying P-38s out of Stoney Cross in England. He flew his first combat mission a month later. Flying throughout the whole D-Day invasion period he notched up 175 combat hours, the majority in the hazardous ground-attack role, chalking up many ground victories before returning to the U.S. in November 1944. He retired Lieutenant Colonel in 1967. Joe Dobro
Signature Value : £50
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Milliken, Robert C

First Lieutenant Robert C Milliken
Robert C. Milliken joined the U.S. Army Air Force in June of 1942. After training he was assigned to fly P-38s for the 429th Fighter Squadron of the new 474th Fighter Group out of Warmwell England in late April of 1944. Second Lieutenant Milliken flew his first combat mission on April 30, 1944. During his participation in D-Day operations, and thereafter, he flew a great variety of missions claiming his first of several victories when he shot down a German FW-190 in an air battle fought between
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Nicolas Trudgian
£50 Off!Now : £250.00

Quantity:
Limited edition of 75 publishers proofs. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm)
Blumer, Larry

Died : 1997
Captain Larry Blumer (deceased)
Assigned to the 393rd Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, Scrappy, nicknamed after his 'Scrap Iron' P-38, became one of the few fighter pilots to become an 'ace-in-a-day' when he shot down five FW-190s in 15 minutes of aerial combat on 25 August 1944. Scrappy rose to command the 393rd and destroyed another FW-190 before returning to the States in January 1945. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal with
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Dobrowolski, Joseph A

Died : 2006
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph A Dobrowolski (deceased)
Enlisting in June 1942, Joseph Dobrowolski was assigned to the 367th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force, and arrived the European Theater, April 1944, flying P-38s out of Stoney Cross in England. He flew his first combat mission a month later. Flying throughout the whole D-Day invasion period he notched up 175 combat hours, the majority in the hazardous ground-attack role, chalking up many ground victories before returning to the U.S. in November 1944. He retired Lieutenant Colonel in 1967. Joe Dobro
Signature Value : £50
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Milliken, Robert C

First Lieutenant Robert C Milliken
Robert C. Milliken joined the U.S. Army Air Force in June of 1942. After training he was assigned to fly P-38s for the 429th Fighter Squadron of the new 474th Fighter Group out of Warmwell England in late April of 1944. Second Lieutenant Milliken flew his first combat mission on April 30, 1944. During his participation in D-Day operations, and thereafter, he flew a great variety of missions claiming his first of several victories when he shot down a German FW-190 in an air battle fought between
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Wills, Dick
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Colonel Dick Wills
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Nicolas Trudgian
£40 Off!
Add any two items on this offer to your basket, and the lower priced item will be half price in the checkout!
Now : £220.00

Quantity:
Promotional Flyer A4 Size Single Sheet 6 inches x 8 inches (15m x 21cm)noneAdd any two items on this offer to your basket, and the lower priced item will be half price in the checkout!£2.00

Quantity:
Signed limited edition of 1000 prints. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm)
Blumer, Larry

Died : 1997
Captain Larry Blumer (deceased)
Assigned to the 393rd Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, Scrappy, nicknamed after his 'Scrap Iron' P-38, became one of the few fighter pilots to become an 'ace-in-a-day' when he shot down five FW-190s in 15 minutes of aerial combat on 25 August 1944. Scrappy rose to command the 393rd and destroyed another FW-190 before returning to the States in January 1945. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal with
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Dobrowolski, Joseph A

Died : 2006
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph A Dobrowolski (deceased)
Enlisting in June 1942, Joseph Dobrowolski was assigned to the 367th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force, and arrived the European Theater, April 1944, flying P-38s out of Stoney Cross in England. He flew his first combat mission a month later. Flying throughout the whole D-Day invasion period he notched up 175 combat hours, the majority in the hazardous ground-attack role, chalking up many ground victories before returning to the U.S. in November 1944. He retired Lieutenant Colonel in 1967. Joe Dobro
Signature Value : £50
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Milliken, Robert C

First Lieutenant Robert C Milliken
Robert C. Milliken joined the U.S. Army Air Force in June of 1942. After training he was assigned to fly P-38s for the 429th Fighter Squadron of the new 474th Fighter Group out of Warmwell England in late April of 1944. Second Lieutenant Milliken flew his first combat mission on April 30, 1944. During his participation in D-Day operations, and thereafter, he flew a great variety of missions claiming his first of several victories when he shot down a German FW-190 in an air battle fought between
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Wills, Dick
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE
Colonel Dick Wills
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Nicolas Trudgian
SOLD
OUT
NOT
AVAILABLE
**Signed limited edition of 1000 prints. (One print reduced to clear)
Great value : Value of signatures exceeds price of item!
Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm)
Willsie, Dick

Died : 2013
Colonel Richard Willsie (deceased)
Joining up in 1942, Dick Willsie was posted to North Africa with the 414th Night Fighter Squadron, where he flew 31 missions on the Beaufighter. He transferred to the 96th Fighter Squadron, 82nd Fighter Group, flying the P38 Lightning on 82 day missions through to the end of hostilities in Europe. Willsie would go on to serve in both Korea and Vietnam, and Willsie became the commanding officer of the 602nd Air Commando Squadron and retired in 1974. Dick Willsie was born on the 6th of September
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Blumer, Larry

Died : 1997
Captain Larry Blumer (deceased)
Assigned to the 393rd Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, Scrappy, nicknamed after his 'Scrap Iron' P-38, became one of the few fighter pilots to become an 'ace-in-a-day' when he shot down five FW-190s in 15 minutes of aerial combat on 25 August 1944. Scrappy rose to command the 393rd and destroyed another FW-190 before returning to the States in January 1945. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal with
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Dobrowolski, Joseph A

Died : 2006
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph A Dobrowolski (deceased)
Enlisting in June 1942, Joseph Dobrowolski was assigned to the 367th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force, and arrived the European Theater, April 1944, flying P-38s out of Stoney Cross in England. He flew his first combat mission a month later. Flying throughout the whole D-Day invasion period he notched up 175 combat hours, the majority in the hazardous ground-attack role, chalking up many ground victories before returning to the U.S. in November 1944. He retired Lieutenant Colonel in 1967. Joe Dobro
Signature Value : £50
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Milliken, Robert C

First Lieutenant Robert C Milliken
Robert C. Milliken joined the U.S. Army Air Force in June of 1942. After training he was assigned to fly P-38s for the 429th Fighter Squadron of the new 474th Fighter Group out of Warmwell England in late April of 1944. Second Lieutenant Milliken flew his first combat mission on April 30, 1944. During his participation in D-Day operations, and thereafter, he flew a great variety of missions claiming his first of several victories when he shot down a German FW-190 in an air battle fought between
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Nicolas Trudgian
£100 Off!Now : £160.00

Quantity:



Doolittles D-Day, 6th June 1944 by Robert Taylor.


Doolittles D-Day, 6th June 1944 by Robert Taylor.

By any military standards, it is difficult to imagine the Supreme Commander of the largest air force of the day, piloting himself over the battlefront during the early moments of one of historys greatest military operations. But General Jimmy Doollittle was no ordinary commander. Already awarded Americas highest decoration for valour, General Doolittle was, by the summer of 1944, in command of the American 8th Air Force. On the morning of 6 June, D-Day, he dispatched 1350 bombers together with his entire fighter force to attack enemy ground installations near the beachheads. Sitting around waiting for intelligence reports was not Jimmy Doolittles style. He was going to see for himself what was happening! With Pat Partridge as wingman, they took off flying P-38 Lightnings - chosen for their distinctive profile in the hopes they would deter friendly fire - and climbed above the overcast. Having observed the 8th Air Forces operations at first hand, as they turned for home, Doolittl.........


More Text...
Item Code : RT0313Doolittles D-Day, 6th June 1944 by Robert Taylor. - Editions Available
FULL DETAILS
DESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASINGPACKS
Limited edition of 500 prints. Image szie 32 inches x 16 inches 81cm x 41cm)
Hurlbut, Frank D

Lt Colonel Frank D Hurlbut (deceased)
Frank Hurlbut joined the National Guard in early 1940 before being activated following the Japanese Attack at Pearl Harbor. He was posted to the 82nd Fighter Group, 96th FS flying P38s in Europe. He became a P38 Ace on 10th July 1943 during a notable fighter sweep in which his Group was credited with 10 kills. Frank Hurlbut flew over 50 combat missions and scored nine confirmed victories, all in Europe, making him the second highest Ace in the 12th Air Force. In Italy, in the summer of 1944,
Signature Value : £35
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Willsie, Dick

Died : 2013
Colonel Richard Willsie (deceased)
Joining up in 1942, Dick Willsie was posted to North Africa with the 414th Night Fighter Squadron, where he flew 31 missions on the Beaufighter. He transferred to the 96th Fighter Squadron, 82nd Fighter Group, flying the P38 Lightning on 82 day missions through to the end of hostilities in Europe. Willsie would go on to serve in both Korea and Vietnam, and Willsie became the commanding officer of the 602nd Air Commando Squadron and retired in 1974. Dick Willsie was born on the 6th of September
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Childress, Hubert M
Colonel Hubert M. Childress
Hubert Childress was posted to England, joining the 27th Photo Recon Squadron, 7th Photographic Group flying the F5 - a specially adapted photo-recon version of the P38 with cameras and no guns. Hubert flew his first combat mission on New Year's Eve 1943, and was heavily involved in many reconnaissance missions prior to D-Day. He also flew the Spitfire MkIXs on several operations. He flew 58 combat missions and later commanded the 7th Photographic Group (R)
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Ostronik, Richard
First Lieutenant Richard Ostronik
Joining the service at the end of 1942, Dick Ostronik was posted to the 82nd Fighter Group in Italy, in the summer of 1944, where he flew P38s with the 96th FS. Attacking targets of opportunity and strafing trains, the squadron escorted the heavy bombers that attacked aircraft factories and industrial targets, and flew defending photo reconnaissance missions - once against a pair of Me262s. Dick flew over 30 combat missions, finishing his stint in Europe in May 1945.
Signature Value : £35
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Roasvig, Mel
First Lieutenant Mel Roasvig
Already in the Reserves, Mel Roasvig was activated for full service in August 1941, and was posted overseas to join the 97th Fighter Squadron, 82nd Fighter Group, by then operating in Italy. Flying the P38 Lightning in its main role of bomber escort, he also took part in dive bombing operations in Czechoslovakia, and hitting targets of opportunity, including strafing an ammunition train which exploded, the debris seriously damaging his aircraft.
Signature Value : £40
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : Robert Taylor
SOLD
OUT
NOT
AVAILABLE
Studio Proof Edition of 75 giclee canvas prints. Size 38 inches x 20 inches (96cm x 51cm)Artist : Robert Taylor£495.00

Quantity:


Contact Details
Shipping Info
Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy
Privacy Policy

Sign Up To Our Newsletter!

Stay up to date with all our latest offers, deals and events as well as new releases and exclusive subscriber content!

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

Return to Home Page