Fighting Cobras

Major Don M. Buzz Beerbower leads a flight of P-51 Mustangs in a bit of cloud hopping as they wing their way home after a mission during the busy... more

by Wade Meyers

Original - Sold

Price

Not Specified

Dimensions

50.000 x 25.000 inches

Title

Fighting Cobras

Artist

Wade Meyers

Medium

Painting - Oil On Linen

Description

Major Don M. "Buzz" Beerbower leads a flight of P-51 Mustangs in a bit of cloud hopping as they wing their way home after a mission during the busy weeks immediately after D-Day, June 6, 1944. "Bonnie B II," named for his infant daughter, was Beerbower's second assigned Mustang, which he and his crew chief had taken pride in repainting recently. The bulbous "Malcolm Hood" canopy offered vastly superior all-around vision over the older framed "throwover" arrangement, and Don was one of the first in his unit to have his plane so equipped. The ops tempo was such at this time that engine exhaust and overflow oil stains nearly obscure the impressive tally of Don's aerial victories they had carefully painted under the cockpit.

Hailing from Hill City, Minnesota, Beerbower was part of the original cadre of 354th Fighter Group pilots. Their very thorough stateside training paid off, and many 354th pilots went on to achieve 'ace' status in the P-51. Don, while only 22 years old, proved to be a natural leader in addition to being an aggressive fighter pilot, and he was eventually promoted to commander of the 'hottest' 354th squadron, the 353rd, nicknamed the "Fighting Cobras."

On August 9, 1944, Don was killed in action (flak) leading a strafing attack on Epernay airfield in the Reims area of France. At the time of his death Maj. Beerbower was the commanding officer and leading ace of the leading fighter squadron in the Army Air Forces.

Major Beerbower is officially credited with 15.5 confirmed aerial victories, 5 probables, and 14.33 damaged enemy fighters. He is unofficially credited with 1 "unconfirmed" destroyed in the air, and 3 on the ground. His awards include the Distinguished Service Cross (now Air Force Cross), Silver Star, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 26 Air Medals.

A complete work-in-progress album for this commissioned project is on the artist's Facebook page, "Wade Meyers Studios."

Uploaded

March 17th, 2016