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Duel in the Desert by Nicolas Trudgian. (XX) The P-40, legendary for its service with Chennaults Flying Tigers in China, was one of the RAFs principle fighters in the north African Desert war. A low-level dogfight between P-40 Kittyhawks of 112 Squadron is shown, as they tangle with the Luftwaffe ME109s over Matamata Hills, near the Mareth line on the border between Tunisia and Libya, early March 1943. Item Code : NT0004XX Duel in the Desert by Nicolas Trudgian. (XX) - This Edition TYPE EDITION DETAILS SIZE SIGNATURES OFFERS YOUR PRICE PURCHASING SLIGHT BORDER DAMAGE Signed limited edition of 400 prints. The print has slight damage to the border area, mostly on a corner. Not noticeable once framed. Paper size 12 inches x 9.5 inches (31cm x 24cm) Drake, Billy + Artist : Nicolas Trudgian Signature(s) value alone : £55 £60.00 All prices on our website are displayed in British Pounds Sterling

Other editions of this item : Duel in the Desert by Nicolas Trudgian. NT0004 TYPE EDITION DETAILS SIZE SIGNATURES OFFERS YOUR PRICE PURCHASING PRINT Signed limited edition of 400 prints. Paper size 12 inches x 9.5 inches (31cm x 24cm) Drake, Billy + Artist : Nicolas Trudgian Signature(s) value alone : £55 £10 Off! Now : £75.00 VIEW EDITION... General descriptions of types of editions :

Extra Details : Duel in the Desert by Nicolas Trudgian. (XX)

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
Group Captain Billy Drake DSO DFC* (deceased) *Signature Value : £55	Joined the R.A.F. in 1936. His first posting was to 1 squadron flying Furies then Hurricanes and first saw action over France in the Spring of 1940 and was awarded his first DFC by the end of the year. As a Squadron Leader he was sent to West Africa to command 128 Squadron. 1942 saw his commanding 112 squadron in North Africa, in July saw an immediate BAR to his DFC and in December an immediate DSO. Posted to Malta as Wing Commander he won a US DFC in 1943. Back in the UK he now was flying Typhoons in the lead up to D-Day. With Pete Brothers he was sent to the States to attend the US Staff School at Fort Leavenworth. After the war he continued in the R.A.F. serving in Japan, Malaya, Singapore, Switzerland and his final posting as Group Captain RAF Chivenor, Devon. Retired in July 1963. Going to Portugal where he ran a Bar and Restaurant and dealing in Real Estate. In his flying career he accounted for more than 24 enemy aircraft. Sadly, Billy Drake passed away on 28th August 2011.

The Aircraft :
Name	Info
Kittyhawk	Curtiss Kittyhawk, single engine fighter with a top speed of 362mph, ceiling of 30,000 feet and a range of 1190 miles with extra fuel tanks but 900 miles under normal operation. Kitty Hawk armaments was four or six .50in machine guns in the wings and a bomb load of up to 1,000 lb's. A development of the earlier Tomahawk, the Kitty Hawk saw service in may air force's around the world, American, Australian, New Zealand, and the Royal Air Force. which used them in the Mediterranean, north Africa, and Malta. from January 1942/ apart from the large numbers used by the Us Air Force, over 3,000 were used by Commonwealth air force's including the Royal air Force.

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