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US Navy
America-Art-Prints  US Navy |
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US Naval battleships, aircraft carriers and cruisers from WW2, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf in fine art naval prints. |
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Cats First Cruise by Stan Stokes. Grumman Aircraft has had a long tradition of providing rugged aircraft for naval aviators. These Grumman planes were all named Cats. The F-14 Tomcat, the latest in the long line of Grumman carrier cats, evolved from Grummans involvement as a subcontractor in the ill-fated TFX development program. Ever since the WW II Battle of Midway, the Navy has been concerned about the vulnerability of its carriers to attack. Super carriers, the largest mobile machines ever developed by mankind, are vulnerable to attack from ground, sea or air-launched missiles. To protect its carriers, the Navy has long recognized the critical need for high speed, long-range, heavily-armed, interceptors. The first two jet-powered aircraft to fill this role were the F-8 Crusader and the F-4 Phantom II. The F-14 Tomcat was developed to provide an improved interceptor capable of carrying the heavier Phoenix missile, and advanced avionics. The first Tomcat prototype flew on December 21, 1970. By late 1972 full scale production of the F-14 had commenced. The Tomcat is big and heavy. It can operate at altitudes in excess of 50,000 feet, can exceed speeds of 1,500 MPH, and has a maximum range in excess of 2,000 miles. Despite its size and high performance the Tomcat is an agile bird. With its variable-geometry wings, the F-14 can be configured on the fly to change its flying and handling characteristics. The aircraft is equipped with a 20mm cannon, and can carry a large assortment of highly lethal guided missiles. The aircraft got its Tomcat name because of Admiral Tom Connollys involvement in the project, and the fact that Grumman was the designer and builder of the F-14. The Tomcat, like the F-4 before it, carries a two-man crew. Grumman designed the aircraft with upgradability in mind. This has permitted improved engines, improved avionics, and improved missals to be incorporated into the basic air frame with remarkable effectiveness. Highly regarded aviation artist Stan Stokes, in his dramatic painting entitled Cats First Cruise, shows an F-14 of the Navys VF-1 Wolfpack squadron on final approach to the USS Enterprise. The Wolfpack, and the VF-2 Bounty Hunters were the first two squadrons of Tomcats deployed for carrier duty. Their first cruise was in 1974. By 1980 the Navy had deployed Tomcat squadrons on nearly all its active carriers. The Tomcat has proven itself in actual combat and no doubt will continue to serve as the Navys primary long range carrier-based interceptor for many more years. |
Quite a Pair by Stan Stokes. The US Navys first two effective aircraft carriers were the USS Lexington and the USS Saratoga; both converted from battle cruiser hulls in 1927. The Lexington, CV-2, was built in Quincy, Massachusetts, and commissioned in December of 1927. The Saratoga, CV-3, was built in Camden, New Jersey and commissioned in November of 1927. During fleet exercises in the early 1930s the capabilities and limitations of these two great ships had a huge impact on the evolution of carrier tactics. The speed of these big carriers allowed them to operate as an independent task force, and they would therefore need to carry an air group that would provide for a balance between offensive and defensive forces. The Lexington was in the Pacific during the attack on Pearl Harbor. She was involved in raids on Japanese strongholds in the southwestern Pacific in early 1942. She joined the Yorktown in the Battle of the Coral Sea. Her aircraft participated in attacks on the Japanese carriers Shoho, Shokaku, and Zuikaku. On May 8 the Lady Lex herself was the target of Japanese carrier aircraft. She took three bomb hits, and two torpedo hits. She was scuttled by her crew, becoming the first carrier lost by the US during the War. The Saratoga was in San Diego when the Pearl Harbor attack occurred. She served admirably in the Pacific sustaining repairable damage on several occasions. She took leave of the Pacific theater for a year to assist the British. The Big E met an ignominious demise as part of the Bikini Atoll atomic bomb tests. Showing her toughness she survived the first blast she was exposed to, but an underwater blast from only 500 yards away sunk the ship in August 1946. The Saratoga and the Lexington are depicted in Stan Stokes painting during maneuvers in the early 1930s. A Boeing FB fighter passes overhead. The Boeing Aircraft was founded in 1916 and initially built floatplanes. The companys first contract for a fighter/pursuit aircraft came in 1921 when it won the contract to build the Thomas-Morse designed MB-3 fighter. Boeings engineers began developing a fighter of their own design that would utilize a welded steel tube frame instead of the normal wooden frame. The Army tested the Model 15 prototype in 1923. Although they liked many of the features the Army opted to purchase the competing Curtiss design. They did order a couple of the Boeing planes for testing, and about a year later they placed an order for 25 PW-9s. The Navy also decided in 1924 to purchase the design, designating it as the FB-1. Improved variants were designated FB-2/3/4/5/6 etc. Boeing built a total of nearly 600 aircraft in this family, making it one of the most widely produced aircraft in the between Wars era. The FB-2/3/4 variants included modifications for carrier use and a more powerful 510-HP Packard-IA engine. With the additional power, a taller rudder assembly was deemed necessary to provide adequate flight stability. The Navy ordered twenty-seven FB-5s and began taking deliveries in 1927. The upper wing of the FB-5 variant was moved forward while the lower wing was moved backwards. In addition a slightly more powerful Packard engine was utilized. |
Stalemate at Hampton Roads by Stan Stokes. The USS Monitor and CSS Virginia. |
America on the Move by William S Phillips. CVA-66 America is silhouetted against the sunset with a cruiser and destroyer in background. An F04 takes the cat stroke, while an A-4 prepares for launch. On Deck are an A-3 Sky Warrior and 2 RA-55. |
Union Fleet Passing Vicksburg by Tom Lovell. One secondary market print available, numbered 50 / 1500. |
Intruder Outbound by William S Phillips. May 19th, 1967. Cpt. Eugene McDaniel is launched from USS Enterprise in an A-6 intruder on his fateful 81st combat mission over Vietnam. |
The Little Beavers at the Battle of cape St George by R G Smith. Cpt. Arleigh Burkes destroyers engage Japanese destroyers, Nov 25th 1943. |
The Battle of Midway June 4th 1942 by R G Smith. SOLD OUT (Nov 2008) |
Return of the Bounty Hunter by Philip West. A pair of F-14 Tomcats of VF-2 Bounty Hunters return to the USS Constellation from a CAP mission in the Indian Ocean, 1997. Two F-14D Tomcats, with tail hooks lowered, prepare to recover aboard the USS Constellation at the end of a mission during a deployment that took the carrier to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea in 1997. Generally accepted as the worlds finest long range interceptor, the Tomcat has celebrated 25 years of F-14 front-line service. |
Attack on the Hiei by Robert Taylor. Marine Ace Captain Joe Foss leads a flight of eight F4F Wildcats of VMF121, based at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, in a diversionary attack on the Imperial Japanese battlecruiser Hiei north of Savo Island, Friday November 13, 1942. In the distance TBF Avenger torpedo bombers of VMSB-131, having already attacked from the starboard side, head for base. That evening, after relentless air attack, the Hiei, disappeared beneath the sea- the first Japanese battleship sunk by American Forces in World War II |
Phantom Showtime by Robert Taylor Irish and I came into the break smoking at 500 knots, below the level of the flight deck. I could see thousands of men watching from the catwalks. I made a six-G break turn with 90 degree angle of bank. We landed after one of my best passes of the cruise. - Commander Randy Duke Cunningham. Back on deck, first to shake the hands of Lt.Randy Cunningham and his Radar Intercept Officer, Lt (jg) Willie Irish Driscoll, was ordnancement Willie White: Mr. Cunningham, we got our MiG today, didn't we! It was January 19, 1972 aboard the USS Constellation in the Gulf of Tonkin. As Cunningham shut down the engines of his Fighting Falcons F-4J Phantom, Task Force 77 Commander Admiral Cooper congratulated Cunningham and Driscoll on achieving their first of five air victories They went on to become the US Navys only Aces of the Vietnam war. |
Hornets Nest by John D Shaw. Lt. Col. James H.Doolittle confers with Capt. Marc A. Mitscher on the bomber-laden deck of the U.S.S. Hornet as the fateful day of April 18, 1942 approaches. This daring bombing raid on Japan gave America and its allies a badly-needed morale boost in the wake of the destruction at Pearl Harbour. |
Preparing for the Storm by Mark Churms. (GL) USS Sacramento (AOE-1) refueling Iowa Class battleships: USS Missouri (BB-63) and USS Wisconsin (BB-64) in the Persian Gulf, 1991. They prepare for Desert Storm, and war against Iraq to liberate Kuwait from Saddam Husseins occupying forces. |
Miraculously Sheltered from Harm - USS Raymond by Mark Churms. (GL) At the Naval battle off Samar near Leyte, a John C. Butler Class Destroyer Escort takes on the much larger Japanese cruiser (Haguro) with 5in. gunfire and torpedoes, then picks up survivors from stricken escort carrier St. Lo. Though heavily involved in close quarter combat USS Raymond DE-341, is not hit by a single shot |
Midway - Strike Against the Akagi by Robert Taylor. A SDB Dauntless from the USS Enterprise attacks the Japanese carrier Akagi during the Battle of Midway. |
Morning Thunder by Robert Taylor. There are few truly defining moments in the history of a State - single episodes that touch every citizen, and cast a nations future. Epoch-making events that influence the entire world are even more uncommon. The events that took place in the space of less than two hours on the morning of December 7, 1941 were of such defining importance, their memory is now deeply embedded into the history of the Twentieth Century. At ten minutes to eight, as the US Pacific fleet lazily came awake, suddenly, and without warning, the world around them exploded with all the mighty force of thunder: Within seconds Pearl Harbor became cloaked with attacking Japanese aircraft. Before sailors could comprehend what was happening, bombs and torpedoes had ripped out the heart of the fleet: Four of eight battleships were sunk, a dozen more naval vessels lay stricken in the water, 2400 souls perished. In those terrible few moments, the tranquil scene was transformed into a boiling cauldron of explosions, fire, smoke and unimaginable destruction. Pearl Harbor became a raging inferno. Robert Taylors specially commissioned masterpiece recreated desperate moments during the second wave attack at around 9am on December 7, 1941. Having taken six torpedo hits and two bomb strikes in the first wave attack on Battleship Row, the West Virginia is ablaze, her bows already low in the water and decks awash. Ignoring the risks, crews push the navy tug Hoga alongside with fire-fighting equipment and to pick up survivors. Overhead, Japanese Zeros swoop through the smoke, aiming the second wave attack at installations on Pearl Harbors Ford Island, to complete one of historys most devastating unprovoked declarations of war. |
Flight of the Phantom by Stan Stokes. The McDonnel Douglas F-4 Phantom II was flown by both the USN and USAF in Vietnam. The aircraft was utilized in many roles during the War. The only two aces in Vietnam both flew the F-4. Randall Duke Cunningham did the honors for the Navy, while Steve Ritchie attained five victories flying the Phantom with the USAF. |
Night Strike by Stan Stokes. The A-6 Intruder has had a long and effective career as the Navys primary attack plane. A-6s were used in Vietnam and still were effective during Desert Storm, as the avionics on these aircraft have been constantly upgraded over the years. In Stans painting an A-6 departs the USS Ranger. |
Corsair on Final by Stan Stokes. SOLD OUT |
A Heritage of Excellence by Stan Stokes. CV-12 is the eighth USN warship to bear the name Hornet. She participated in numerous combat operations for the last 16months of WWII. While operating in the Far East in support of operations in Vietnam, the Hornet participated in several Apollo recovery missions including that of Apollo 11 in 1969. |
Golden Gate Corsair by Stan Stokes. The Chance-Vought F4U Corsair was arguably the finest naval aviation fighter of its era. Work on this design dates to 1938 and was headed-up by Voughts Chief Engineer, Rex Biesel. The initial prototype was powered by an 1800-HP Pratt & Whitney double Wasp radial engine. This was the third Vought aircraft to carry the Corsair name. The graceful and highly recognizable gull-wing design of the F4U permitted the aircraft to utilize a 13-foot, three-blade, Hamilton Standard propeller, while not having to lengthen the landing gear. Because of the rigors of carrier landings, this was a very important design consideration. Folding wings were also required for carrier operations. The F4U was thirty feet long, had a wingspan of 41 feet and an empty weight of approximately 7,500 pounds. Another interesting feature was the way the F4Us gear rotated 90 degrees, so it would lay flush within the wing when in the up position. In 1939 the Navy approved the design, and production commenced. The Corsair utilized a new spot welding process on its all aluminum fuselage, giving the aircraft very low drag. To reduce weight, fabric-covered outer wing sections and control surfaces were fitted. In May of 1940 the F4U made its maiden flight. Although a number of small bugs were discovered during early flight tests, the Corsair had exceptional performance characteristics. In October of 1940 the prototype F4U was clocked at 405-MPH in a speed test. The initial production Corsairs received an upgraded 2,000-HP radial giving the bird a top speed of about 425-MPH. The production models also differed from the prototype in having six, wing-mounted, 0.5 caliber machine guns. Another change was a shift of the cockpit about three feet further back in the fuselage. This latter change unfortunately made naval aviators wary of carrier landings with the F4U, due to its limited forward visibility during landings. Other concerns were expressed regarding a severe port wing drop at landing speeds and a tendency of the aircraft to bounce off a carrier deck. As a result, the F4U was initially limited to land-based USMC squadrons. Vought addressed several of these problems, and the Royal Navy deserves credit for perfecting an appropriate landing strategy for the F4U. They found that if the carrier pilot landed the F4U while making a sweeping left turn with the port wing down, that sufficient visibility was available to make a safe landing. With a kill ratio of 11 -to- 1 in WW 11 combat, the F4U proved superior in the air to almost every opposing aircraft it encountered. More than 12,000 F4Us were built and fortunately a few dozen remain in flyable condition to this date. |
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