The Arcs Of Fire Gallery

PHANTOM FURY
by Robert Taylor
The biggest, fastest, and most powerful fighter of its day, the McDonnell Phantom was an awesome war machine that came to dominate aerial combat for over two decades. It may have been the size of many World War II bombers but it could out-perform anything that crossed its path; it was quicker, could turn faster, and was better equipped with electronics, carried more ordnance than anything comparable, and had an unbelievable rate of climb. The F-4 Phantom was the benchmark against which every fighter in the World came to be judged; it was simply the best.
And when it saw combat for the first time, in Vietnam in 1961, it was the
lucky Navy & Marine Corps pilots who were the first to fly it. So impressed were the Air Force they bought it to, and three years later, in 1964, the USAF received their Phantoms. The Airforce pilots just couldn't wait to get their hands on it.
And one of those itching to take it into combat was a young, then Captain Steve Ritchie. Flying with the 555th TFS, the illustrious 'Triple Nickle', Ritchie would, in the space of a few weeks during Operation Linebacker in the summer of 1972 become a legend - the only USAF fighter pilot Ace of the Vietnam War.
Robert Taylor's powerful new painting shows Steve Ritchie, first into
action, flying his lead F-4 Phantom through a hail of deadly enemy flak as he exits the target area after a typical FAST FAC mission on enemy installations in North Vietnam, 1972. Behind him a vast trail of devastation marks the mission's progress, as his fellow Phantom crews continue to wreak havocwith their heavy ordnance, the target are exploding in a series of mighty detonations.
THE SIGNATURES
PHANTOM FURY LIMITED EDITIONS
These superb limited edition prints of this dramatic painting by Robert Taylor the worlds premier aviation artist- have been personally signed by the legendary USAF fighter Ace, Brigadier General Steve Ritchie, together with is special guest signer Captain John Madden.
With TWO Signatures
Brigadier General Richard Ritchie
Brigadier General RICHARD 'STEVE' RITCHIE
5 victories
Born in June 1942 during World War II, Steve Ritchie graduated and was commissioned from the USAF Academy in June 1964. He flew his first combat tour in Vietnam in 1968 on Fast FAC operations, before transferring to the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 432nd TRW for his second tour. It was with the 555th TFS - the famed 'Triple Nickle' Squadron that he achieved Ace status. His first combat kill came on 10 May 1972 when he downed a MIG-21 forty miles northwest of Hanoi, with his second a few weeks later just thirty miles south of the Chinese border. At the beggining of July he downed two MIG-21s west of Hanoi. It must have been his lucky area for on the 28th August he scored his fifth and final victory in the same spot, thus becoming the USAF's only Ace pilot of the Vietnam War, and the last US pilot to Achieve Ace. status.
SPECIAL GUEST SIGNER- in tribute to the outstanding achievements of Steve Ritchie and the 555th TFS, every print is additionally signed by a fellow highly distinguished 'Triple Nickle' combat pilot, who flew on many of the units most dangerous missions.
Colonel JOHN MADDEN 3 victories and 1 damaged
Flying his first combat mission on 5 October 1965, leading fighter pilot John Madden flew three combat tours in Vietnam, notching up an impressive record of 3 kills and 1 damages, flying F-4s. On 28 August 1972 he was part of the same mission whrn Steve Ritchie made Ace. That same year Madden led over 50 combat flights and he never lost a wingman. Flights under his leadership accounted for 5 enemy aircraft downed, and 1 damaged. He left Vietnam in 1975, and retired from the USAF in 1984.
750 Limited Edition Prints US$ 320 / UK£ 200
50 Artists Proofs US$ 520 / UK£ 325
10 Remarques US$ 1195 / UK£ 795
THE GICLÉE CANVAS PROOFS
Only 25 of these superb Canvas Giclée Proofs will be issued in this new print edition. Each individually signed by Robert Taylor, BOTH Steve Ritchie and John Madden will individually sign the unique Presentation Certificate issued with each Giclée Canvas Proof.
25 Portfolio Giclée Proofs US$ 1095 / UK£ 695
Overall Print Size : 34½" wide x 23½" high
Image Size : 28" wide x 16" high