Live To Ride, Fly To Fight by Dan Zoernig at Ozark Airfield Artworks Aviation Art

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Here at Ozark Airfield Artworks we offer a large selection art prints. These prints
mainly depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We
also deal with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are
from all the top national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of
our prints are signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking
for a specific plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.

All images are copyrighted by the individual artist and may not be
reproduced without their consent.

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Thousands of Civil and
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American Freedom during World
War II.

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"Live To Ride, Fly To Fight"

Aviation Artist
Dan Zoernig

In 1938, the War Department went shopping for a motorcycle. With a 500cc bike in mind,
government specs required an iron horse that could maintain a consistent speed of 65mph,
ford streams, and keep temps in the green at idle or during slow running. Ruggedness and
durability were given requirements for extended use in the field. The competition opened
up between Indian and Harley-Davidson. While Indian's designers produced a design to the
War Department's exact specifications, William Harley aggressively pushed for a 750cc
motorcycle instead, and offered up the Harley-Davidson WLA, a sturdy three-speed
machine with four inches of ground clearance and alloy cylinder heads to keep the 23hp
engine cool. With over 90,000 units produced during wartime, the Harley-Davidson WLA
found favor with servicemen in recon, traffic control, and dispatch duties. Pressed into
service as the occasional squadron hack was not unheard of either, with good use being
made of the WLA's saddle bags, scabbard and cargo rack.

Operating out of Debden, England in 1944 the US Fourth Fighter Group was credited with
1,016 German aircraft destroyed. Accounting for 45 of these was the team of Captain
Dominic (Don) Gentile and his wingman Captain John Godrey, who flew together during
most of their tour. Fighting in the P-51B Mustang, both pilots earned their places in history
as aggressive and willing dogfighters whose missions often kept them in the cramped
cockpits for seven or eight hours at a time. This illustration recalls a maximum effort of the
336th Squadron in the spring of 1944 as the unit attempts to put up all available planes. One
flier, perhaps not on the board that day, jumps on the outfit's Harley and roars down an
access road adjacent to the strip, as Gentile in the lead Mustang "Shangri-La" just begins
to retract his flaps and landing gear.

On his wing is Godrey piloting "Reggie's Reply". The Fourth Fighter Group's famed
"Boxing Eagle" emblem is visible on the cowling of Gentile's fighter, the accessory box on
the HD WLA, and the rider's leather jacket.