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When You See Zero's, Fight Em - F4f Wildcat Dogfight By William Phillips

When You See Zero's, Fight Em - F4F Wildcat Dogfight by William Phillips

In the fall of 1942, Marine Corps Captain Joseph J. Foss had the intimidating task of defending the base at Guadalcanal with only 24 Grumman F4F Wildcats. On October 23, when 28 Japanese Zeros and 16 Betty bombers swooped upon the island, Foss and his men counterattacked. At one point, a Wildcat in pursuit of a Zero became potential prey himself, pursued by another Zero. Seeing this, Foss brought his plane in behind to within feet of the Zero and opened fire. The Zero burst into flames and the pilot bailed out, clearing Foss' plane by inches.

At the end of World War II, President Roosevelt award Foss the Congressional Medal of Honor for his "indomitable fighting spirit." Today, Joseph J. Foss looks back on a remarkable military and civilian career, whose highlights include his appointment to the rank of brigadier general and election to the office of Governor of South Dakota. warhorse needn’t be pretty ― it earns its oats in combat. The design of Japan’s elegant Mitsubishi Zero may have enabled it to out-fly the Grumman F4F Wildcat on paper. Armor, self-sealing fuel tanks, a superior ceiling and dive rate led to the development of combat tactics that made the Wildcat a dangerous opponent. And when men like Marine Corps Captain Joseph J. Foss were behind the stick, it couldn’t be outfought. William S. Phillips When You See Zeros, Fight ’Em depicts October 23, 1943 in the skies over Guadalcanal, when 28 Japanese Zeros and 16 Betty bombers swarmed over the island. Foss and his men were in the skies to counter attack. At one point, a Wildcat in pursuit of a Zero became potential prey himself, pursued by another Zero. Seeing this, Foss brought his plane in behind to within a few feet of the Zero and opened fire. The Zero burst into flames and the pilot bailed out, clearing Foss' plane by inches.

Foss had a great appreciation for the Wildcat’s sturdy air frame. After his first victory, he got separated from his wing man often a fatal mistake. Zeros “bounced” him and he dove for the deck, recalling that the Japanese planes were said to shed their wings in a dive. Wrong. “The wings didn’t come off,” reported Joe, “and they really salted me.” Well-riddled, he crash-landed his Wildcat and remembered the lesson.

Joe Foss would claim that wasn’t a good shot. “I just got up there and stuck those guns up his tail. When you see Zeros,” he told his squadron, “fight ‘em.” He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his “indomitable fighting spirit” in the skies over Guadalcanal in the fall of 1942. In just 63 days he shot down 26 planes.

When You See Zero’s, Fight’ Em, an Anniversary Edition Giclèe Canvas, is a gorgeous tribute to Marine Corps Ace Joseph J. Foss and the unsubduable F4F Wildcat.

When You See Zero's, Fight Em - F4F Wildcat by William Phillips is available for sale as a signed and numbered limited edition of only 1,000 paper art prints with a 17-1/2 x 23-1/2 image size and is for sale for $___. This print was released: December 1990.

Canvas - When You See Zero's, Fight Em' by William Phillips is also available for sale as a signed and numbered limited edition of only 45 giclee canvas art prints with a 18 x 24 image size and is for sale for $495.

They can be ordered framed or unframed. We are a full service custom frame shop and can build a design to meet any style or budget. Order yours today. All artwork is professionally boxed and insured and guaranteed to arrive in mint condition. All prints have been hand signed by the artist. Artist William Phillips painted an American F4F Wildcats and Japanese Zero's in a dog fight in art prints for sale. World War 2 and aviation painted in artwork.

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