Don Gentile Top scoring ace of the 4th FG during WWII!
Don Gentile Top scoring ace of the 4th FG during WWII!
"Help! I'm Being Clobbered!" Oil on Canvas 30" x 40" © Troy White 2010 FOR SALE
Another painting in the Rotational Series
This image is available as a Limited Edition of only 10 prints with one Artist's Proof...
This beautiful canvas print features Captain Don S. Gentile, the first American to break Eddie Rickenbacker's WWI record.
Captain Don Gentile is seen here during his epic turning duel of 14 January 1944. Having just dispatched a pair of FW 190s Gentile was jumped by two others down on the deck and the chase which lasted 15 minutes was on. At one point he radioed to his comrades "Help I'm being clobbered! If I don't make it back tell them I got two!"
His Encounter Report reads in part "...I suddenly flicked and about wiped myself out on the trees. Recovering, I reversed my turn to starboard, and there he was, still inside me and still shooting like hell. ..."
The iconic Don S. Gentile of the famous 121 Eagle Squadron and 4th Fighter Group.
Don is officially credited with 21.83 air and 6 ground victories during WWII.
"Help I'm Being Clobbered!" is a benchmark painting which was designed to be viewed from all four rotations of the canvas.
Larry Krantz Crew Chief and Assistant Crew Chief James Lammering pose by "Donnie Boy"
Captain Don Gentile and his assistant crew chief Dick Mansfield. Photo: Lee Mansfield
Don Gentile and John Godfrey (above left & right) are seen returning from a mission. Don Was a pilot before the war and at age 19 joined the RAF in September 1940. He won his wings in November 1941. After a serving as an instructor for a bit he transferred to No. 133 Eagle Squadron. Don joined The USAAF when the Eagle Squadrons were absorbed into the USAAF to form the famed 4th Fighter Group in September 1942. Don flew his last mission on 13 April 1944 and returned home to Piqua, Ohio with much fanfare. He stayed in the Air Force after the war but was killed in the crash of a T-33 jet trainer on 28 January 1951.
Read more about Don Gentile and his fellow Eagle Squadron and 4th Fighter Group pilots in "Kidd Hofer-- The Last of the Screwball Aces" Click here for more information.
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Copyright © 2010 by Stardust Studios. All rights reserved.
Revised: 12 Jan 2011.
