Safe Passage Home by John Shaw - Framed

Limited Edition Print - Framed

A Salute to the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II

Hand signed by General Charles McGee 332nd Fighter Group and Staff Sergeant Corliss Norton 459th Bomb Group.

Overall size: 35”w x 24”h.

Image size: 28.75”w x 16.25”h

Known as the “Red Tails,” the famed ‘Tuskegee Airmen’ were the first all-black fighter units to fly combat in World War II. They were especially known for their unequaled record of safely protecting their bombers on escort missions, often being specifically requested for this duty by the bomber crews themselves, providing a safe passage home. This scene depicts Mustangs of the 302nd FS escorting B-24s of the 459th Bomb Group back to their base in Italy after a daylight bombing mission during the summer of 1944, with Lt Charles McGee flying his P-51C “Kitten” in the foreground. The main B-24 shown (“Cherokee Maiden”) was part of the 756th Squadron, and brought several crews safely home over the course of many missions, ultimately ending its wartime career in April, 1945.

During the course of creating the painting, it was a privilege for the artist to consult with Col. McGee of the Tuskegee Airmen and with two of Cherokee Maiden’s gunners, who vividly recalled combat missions in which they shared the skies with the Red Tails during those tumultuous days in the skies over Europe.

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