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Early Top Guns by Stan Stokes. (B) Prior to 1950 Chance-Vought had solidly established itself, along with Grumman, as one of the two leading suppliers of aircraft to the US Navy. Following WW II, however, the Texas-based company was less successful with its XF6U Pirate and later with its F7U Cutlass. In September of 1952 the Navy issued a requirement for its first supersonic, carrier-based, air superiority aircraft. Russ Clark and the design team at Vought submitted a proposal utilizing some radical design concepts. Most unique was a high mounted wing which could move 7 degrees in incidence. To make the craft more pilot friendly during carrier landings droops were designed into the leading edges of the wings. The cockpit was also located as far forward as possible providing excellent visibility. A Pratt & Whitney J57 was the proposed power plant. The Navy selected the Vought proposal from the eight submitted. In March of 1955 the first of the more than 1,200 Crusaders which would be built, made its inaugural flight, and went supersonic. The Crusader, often called the Gunfighter, was an unqualified success. It restored some prestige to the Navy, which had been criticized by Air Force supporters for not having any aircraft capable of taking on Migs in Korea in aerial combat. The F-8 set many speed records, including a cross country, carrier-to-carrier, trip in 3 hours and 28 minutes. At the time of the Vietnam War, the F-8 was a proven aircraft. Despite being relegated to a secondary mig-killing role, the F-8s downed 19 Migs in Vietnam. Their victory ratio was 6-to-1, which was superior to any other aircraft. F-8 pilots were well trained in air combat maneuvering skills, whereas pilots on more modern aircraft had been taught to rely on long range air-to-air missiles. Recognizing this need the Navy began transferring F-8 instructors to its F-4 program as a way to teach F-4 pilots dog fighting skills. This was the beginnings of the Navys Top Gun School. As depicted in Stan Stokes painting, a USMC F-8 piloted by Gen. Drax Williams chases a pair of Mig-21s during an A-6 escort mission during the Vietnam War. Item Code : STK0043B Early Top Guns by Stan Stokes. (B) - This Edition TYPE EDITION DETAILS SIZE SIGNATURES OFFERS YOUR PRICE PURCHASING PRINT 225 prints from the signed limited edition of 4750 prints, with signature of Stan Stokes and pilot, and a remarque. Image size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Williams, P Drax + Artist : Stan Stokes Signature(s) value alone : £30 £20 Off! Now : £110.00 All prices on our website are displayed in British Pounds Sterling

Other editions of this item : Early Top Guns by Stan Stokes. STK0043 TYPE EDITION DETAILS SIZE SIGNATURES OFFERS YOUR PRICE PURCHASING PRINT Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Artist : Stan Stokes £15 Off! Now : £35.00 VIEW EDITION... PRINT Limited edition of 25 giclee artr prints. Just two of this print edition now available. Size 21 inches x 14 inches (53cm x 36cm) Artist : Stan Stokes £145.00 VIEW EDITION... PRINT Prints from the 225 prints from the signed limited edition of 4750 prints, with signature of Stan Stokes and pilot. Image size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Williams, P Drax + Artist : Stan Stokes Signature(s) value alone : £30 £45 Off! Now : £85.00 VIEW EDITION... GICLEE CANVAS Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. SOLD OUT. Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm) none SOLD OUT VIEW EDITION... GICLEE CANVAS Limited edition of 100 giclee canvas prints. One print available only. Size 27 inches x 18 inches (69cm x 46cm) none £400.00 VIEW EDITION... General descriptions of types of editions :

Extra Details : Early Top Guns by Stan Stokes. (B)

About all editions : A photograph of an edition of the print :

Signatures on this item
*The value given for each signature has been calculated by us based on the historical significance and rarity of the signature. Values of many pilot signatures have risen in recent years and will likely continue to rise as they become more and more rare.
Name	Info
Major General P Drax Williams *Signature Value : £30	Born in Geneva, New York, Drax Williarns was raised in Bermuda where his father was Editor of the Bermudian magazine. Drax attended Cornell University and after graduation was commissioned in 1963. Drax received his wings as a Naval Aviator in 1965. Stationed in Hawaii for two years flying the F-8 Crusader, Drax was eventually transferred to Vietnam where he joined VMF(AW) - 235. There he flew F-8Es out of Da Nang. In April of 1968 General Williams reported to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines on the DMZ as Air Liaison Officer. Drax returned to the States in September of 1968 following completion of his first combat tour. He served for two years as a flight instructor at Chase Field, Texas. Drax returned to Quantico where he attended the Amphibious Warfare School, and in early 1971 he received temporary duty as Special Project Officer (Harrier)Liaison to U.S. Government Accounting Office. In August of 1971, Drax was transferred to Yuma, Arizona as a Flight Instructor for the A-4 Skyhawk. In September of 1972 General Williams began a second combat tour in Vietnam flying A-4s out of Bien Hoa with MAG12. He served as Aviation Safety Officer with MAG-12, and later as Operations Officer with VMA-211, flying over 300 combat missions. In August of 1973 Drax completed his second combat tour and returned to the States as Operations Officer of VMA-231 at Cherry Point, North Carolina. In 1975 he was assigned as Officer in Charge of VMA-513 Detachment A. This unit was given the primary mission of demonstrating the combat capabilities of the Harrier to the public. Following an assignment as Head, Aviation Section, Supporting Arms Branch of the Landing Force Training Command, Gen. Williarns attended the Armed Forces Staff College. Later he would attend the NATO Defense College in Italy, and would be assigned to Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Europe, as Chief of Plans. In 1985 Drax was transferred to Japan where he commanded Marine Aircraft Group-12. There he flew A-4s, A-6s, and A-7s. In 1987 he was made Deputy Commander of the Naval Space Command in Virginia. Drax also served as the Director of Public Affairs for Marine Corps Headquarters prior to being made Commander, Marine Corps Air Bases, Western Area. Drax served in this capacity until 1995 when he was made The Inspector General of the Marine Corps. Gen. Williams is married to the former Mary Hardie of Long Island New York, and has two daughters. His numerous decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, 22 Strike/Flight Air Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat 'V', the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star.

The Aircraft :
Name	Info
Crusader	F-8

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