"Setting Sun" by Ron Cole
The end of the War in the Pacific as experienced by the Japanese amounted to the systematic destruction of their country -
city by city. Their remaining warriors, especially their fighter pilots, fought a desperate battle. As depicted here, the
war-weariness of their aircraft often kept even their best pilots in a state of helplessness as their country burned. Planes that
succeeded in intercepting the Allied bombers seldom returned without damage - if at all. It was a desperate time - but a time
of heroism.
The end of the War in the Pacific as experienced by the Japanese amounted to the systematic destruction of their country -
city by city. Their remaining warriors, especially their fighter pilots, fought a desperate battle. As depicted here, the
war-weariness of their aircraft often kept even their best pilots in a state of helplessness as their country burned. Planes that
succeeded in intercepting the Allied bombers seldom returned without damage - if at all. It was a desperate time - but a time
of heroism.
| "Setting Sun" by Ron Cole 13 x 19 available in limited quantities (only 250) signed and numbered - $100.00 24 x 30 available (1 - 50) signed and numbered - $350.00 |
The Japanese Navy ground crews suffered terrible attrition during the war; same as the pilots. Nevertheless, the Navy
maintained its policy of assigning the most experienced crews to the the most experienced pilots - especially Japan's 'aces.'
Elite ground crews took immense pride in their work and machines - and even late in the war it was common for such teams
to meticulously polish and detail the planes of their esteemed veteran pilots - as above. It even became a more common
practice as planes like the 'Zero' became seen as the likely caskets of those sure to perish while flying them. The ground
crews' attention to such details was ultimately extended to the aircraft of the Special Attack pilots for this reason. Thus some
Japanese fighters glowed like Ferraris - and the reflective sheen as depicted in this series is completely accurate.