BIG HOG Over Bagana

L/E of 1500
S/N by the Artist and Eight Pilots
Image Size: 31" x 23"
Paper Size: 34" x 25"

Plane Type: F4U Corsair

On November 1, 1943, 18 Vals escorted by 12 Zeros fly towards our invasion forces landing at Empress Augusta Bay on Bougainville. Eight Corsairs from VF-17 intercept and the Japanese attack breaks up. Above an eerily smoldering Mt. Bagana, Cdr. Tom Blackburn dives out of the early morning sun and blasts a Zero out of the sky, then flies through the fireball for his first of eleven victories: "What a sensation!".

Personally autographed by Capt. Tom Blackburn, and seven other original VF-17 pilots.

BIG HOG OVER BAGANA by Joseph Szady (F4U Corsair)@ Dare to Move