"Eagles Prey"
by Robert Taylor

In the months that followed Dunkirk, the Royal Air Force stood alone against the might of the Luftwaffe and the massed forces of Germany preparing to invade Britain. While America anxiously watched events some 240 pilots made their way to England to join the RAF in their herculean struggle against the overwhelming odds. Volunteers to the man, many having to avoid the FBI to get there, this cavalier bunch became America's vanguard into Europe.

Motivated by the urge to fight for the cause of freedom, a swashbuckling sense of adventure, and a pure love of flying, this happy band of warriors set standards of courage, skill and fortitude that today are legendary. They were the American Eagles.

Arriving in a foreign country determined to fly and fight a war not really their own, these brave young men unwittingly became a symbol to the beleaguered British, and their selfless participation and sacrifice gave them a special place in the hearts of the British people that will remain forever.

Armed with log books often wildly overstating their experience and with convincing lies about their ages, they were welcomed into the RAF and quickly demonstrated the same determination that carried the pilots through the Battle of Britain and on to the Fighter Offensive in 1941. Their standards were high, their reputation in battle unsurpassed, but the price they paid was high, one third of them never to see their homeland again.

By the spring of 1941 enough American volunteers were battle-ready, and No. 71 Squadron RAF was formed to give the Eagles their own fighting unit. By autumn two more squadrons, 121 and 133, were formed and during October and November 1941 the Eagles had the distinction of being the top-scoring squadrons of the RAF.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Eagle Squadrons, their first aerial combats, and their top-scoring achievements, Robert Taylor has painted a magnificent aviation picture. Featured are the Mk Vb Spitfires of No. 71 Squadron as they race low across the French countryside after a combat with Luftwaffe fighters over Northern France in 1941. Lying prey to the Eagles is an Me109 brought down during the dogfight, the lead Spitfire pilot clearly seen in the painting glancing down at their victim as they dash for the Channel and home.

Conferring great significance upon this commemorative limited edition each print is signed by five famous Eagles, making this a print with which to record for all time the courage, persistence and triumph of the legendary AMERICAN EAGLE SQUADRONS.

Each print is individually signed by: General Carroll 'Red' McColpin, Colonel Don Blakeslee, Colonel Oscar Coen, Colonel Jim Goodson, and Colonel Reade Tilly. It is also signed and numbered by Robert Taylor.