P-51 Mustang "Old Crow" World War 2 artwork

"Double Trouble" by Raymond Waddey

Bud Anderson Old Crow Limited Edition by Ernie Boyette

"Old Crow" by Terry South

"A Bandit Goes Down" by William S. Phillips

"The Last Mission" by Chuck Long

Artist Joe Milich

Hunter's Crossing by Bill Northrup

"Four from the 357th" by Terry South

Finger Four by Dan Zoernig

The newest action aviation print offered by Dan. Please visit his website at Dan Zoernig Illustrations

The Finger Four formation was first used by the Germans during WWI and then reinvented by the Luftwaffe during the Spanish Civil War. It was widely accepted by all nations during WW II as the best formation for combat. The flight consisted of a leader (#1) and his wingman (#2) joined by an element leader (#3) and his wingman (#4). The flight and element leaders are the attackers and the wingman’s job is to keep their leaders aware of any threat from the rear. Look at the back of your flattened hand and you can visualize how the aircraft are generally positioned as well as how the name was derived. By flying in a more spread out manner the formation was very maneuverable and provided wider visual coverage by the wingmen to the rear. For flying in the weather or for show the formation flew much closer.(Legend for Finger Four courtesy of Colonel Clarence C.E. “Bud” Anderson, USAF Retired.)

Finger Four depicts four P-51Mustangs from the 363rd Fighter Squadron of the 357th Fighter Group assigned to the 8th Air Force in the ETO. The 357th was best known as the highest scoring unit in the shortest time, 595.5 enemy aircraft destroyed in the air in 14 months. The unique aspect of this illustration is that it displays both the variety of paint schemes and the variants of the Mustangs flown by the Group. Above, Clarence E ‘Bud’ Anderson then a Major is the flight leader (#1) flying a classic P-51D s/n 44-414450 B6-S “Old Crow” in natural aluminum paint scheme. He was a triple ace destroying 16 enemy aircraft in the air.1st Lt John Skara is flying as Andersons wingman (#2) in an early model Mustang with the birdcage canopy painted in a half natural aluminum and half dark green camouflage paint scheme. “Doodlebug” is P-51B s/n 42-106458 B6-Z. Captain William R O’Brien, in the element leader position (#3) is flying a late model Mustang but in a solid dark green camouflage paint scheme. P-51D 44-13522 B6-G was named “Billy’s Bitch.” O’Bee was an ace with 6 aerial victories. 1st Lt William B Overstreet is the (#4) member of the flight as O’Brien’s wingman is flying P-51B s/n 42-103309 B6-O. “Berlin Express” is also in a hybrid pint scheme. This aircraft was equipped with a Malcolm hood. This type canopy was developed by the British to eliminate the birdcage and provide better visibility. Overstreet had 2 confirmed aerial victories.

"Winter of 45"

by Artist Philip West

Old Crow sits on it's hardstand at Leiston Airfield, England, during the Winter of 1945. Crew Chief, S/Sgt Melvin "Schunny" Schueneman and Armorer SGT Leon Zimmermann, make final preparations for Bud Anderson to launch on another combat mission. Please visit SWA Fine Arts Publishers for information about this and other great art prints. Print displayed thanks to Sean Whyte and Philip West.