"Ramitelli Rumble"
This special release is
made available almost
exclusively with the
release of Robert's book, A
Brush with History. A finite
number of prints are
available separately as
Studio Edition.
made available almost
exclusively with the
release of Robert's book, A
Brush with History. A finite
number of prints are
available separately as
Studio Edition.
The editions listed below are not available for individual sale.
LIMITED EDITIONS (4 signatures)
1st. Lt. Alexander Jefferson
1st. Lt. William B. Ellis
2nd. Lt. George E. Hardy
2nd. Lt. Roger C. Terry
ARTIST PROOFS (9 signatures)
1st. Lt. Charles E. McGee
F/O Charles A. Lane Jr.
2nd. Lt. Bill Broadwater
1st. Lt. William H. Holloman III
S/Sgt. James A. Sheppard
1st. Lt. George A. Taylor
1st. Lt. Alexander Jefferson
2nd. Lt. George E. Hardy
2nd. Lt. Roger C. Terry
DOUBLE REMARQED EDITION (13 signatures)
2nd. Lt. Leo R. Gray
F/O James C. Warren
Lt. Hiram E. Mann
2nd. Lt. Harry T. Stewart Jr.
1st. Lt. Charles E. McGee
F/O Charles A. Lane Jr.
2nd. Lt. Bill Broadwater
1st. Lt. William H. Holloman III
S/Sgt. James A. Sheppard
1st. Lt. George A. Taylor
1st. Lt. Alexander Jefferson
2nd. Lt. George E. Hardy
2nd. Lt. Roger C. Terry
The Story
Life for the Fighter Squadrons of the 332nd Fighter Group, at the former farm field in Ramitelli,
Italy in 1945, was about disciplined routine. Like other Fighter Groups in the 15th Air Force
based nearby, it would start as it ended with the ground crews. With a mission planned and
communicated they worked feverishly, many times without enough sleep, coaxing and
prodding “their planes” to be ready in the morning to “loan out to the pilots.”
As the sun began to rise the air crews would awaken and begin preparation for the next
mission. For some sleep did not come easy and did little to refresh their tired minds, a
byproduct of aerial combat flown high above the hostile skies of Nazi Germany and Austria,
locked in the deadly business of defending bomber streams they were tasked to escort
against a resilient foe.
The tension would begin to build early as the air crews prepared for the coming mission. After
a quick but subdued meal at the mess hall it was off to the briefing where the target for the
day was announced and escort assignments were given. There they would be made aware of
what defenses they could expect, the flak corridors they would navigate around and the
anticipated reception from the Luftwaffe entering and exiting the target area; all the while they
defended the bombers against a persistent enemy bent on bringing the four-engined ‘big
friends’ down.
With the briefing concluded it was a short hop to the parachute shack to collect the
necessities including escape kits before they were driven out to their dispersal areas. There
they would confer with their crew chiefs, while being strapped in, about any issues the aircraft
had since the last mission. The tension was now palpable as the pilots waited like coiled
springs for the signal to start engines.
As the predetermined time arrived, magneto switches were turned on and engine generators
whined and dozens of Merlin engines roared to life. The popping of hot gases exiting exhaust
ports rose in harmony building to a low rumble, as chock blocks were pulled by ground crew
attempting to stand against the prop wash. The high-powered planes assembled each in
order of take off at the end of the respective runway.
With a shot from a Berry Pistol arching overhead signaling that the departure time had
arrived, Flight Leaders and Wingmen would push their engine throttles foreword and the
Rumble at Ramitelli would build. From a soft growl it would grow into a loud crescendo rising
in unison with the other engines announcing that another Tuskegee Mission was about to
commence.
In Robert Bailey’s latest action canvas, entitled RAMITELLI RUMBLE, ‘Little Freddio’ and
‘Lady Emmo’ of the 332 Squadron are the first to launch from the airfield and begin the
process to assemble before turning to a northern heading that will take them to the
rendezvous point where they will meet the bombers they are to escort to the heartland of
Germany. They will need to be vigilant today if their record of never losing a bomber they
escorted in combat, is to remain intact.
LIMITED EDITIONS (4 signatures)
1st. Lt. Alexander Jefferson
1st. Lt. William B. Ellis
2nd. Lt. George E. Hardy
2nd. Lt. Roger C. Terry
ARTIST PROOFS (9 signatures)
1st. Lt. Charles E. McGee
F/O Charles A. Lane Jr.
2nd. Lt. Bill Broadwater
1st. Lt. William H. Holloman III
S/Sgt. James A. Sheppard
1st. Lt. George A. Taylor
1st. Lt. Alexander Jefferson
2nd. Lt. George E. Hardy
2nd. Lt. Roger C. Terry
DOUBLE REMARQED EDITION (13 signatures)
2nd. Lt. Leo R. Gray
F/O James C. Warren
Lt. Hiram E. Mann
2nd. Lt. Harry T. Stewart Jr.
1st. Lt. Charles E. McGee
F/O Charles A. Lane Jr.
2nd. Lt. Bill Broadwater
1st. Lt. William H. Holloman III
S/Sgt. James A. Sheppard
1st. Lt. George A. Taylor
1st. Lt. Alexander Jefferson
2nd. Lt. George E. Hardy
2nd. Lt. Roger C. Terry
The Story
Life for the Fighter Squadrons of the 332nd Fighter Group, at the former farm field in Ramitelli,
Italy in 1945, was about disciplined routine. Like other Fighter Groups in the 15th Air Force
based nearby, it would start as it ended with the ground crews. With a mission planned and
communicated they worked feverishly, many times without enough sleep, coaxing and
prodding “their planes” to be ready in the morning to “loan out to the pilots.”
As the sun began to rise the air crews would awaken and begin preparation for the next
mission. For some sleep did not come easy and did little to refresh their tired minds, a
byproduct of aerial combat flown high above the hostile skies of Nazi Germany and Austria,
locked in the deadly business of defending bomber streams they were tasked to escort
against a resilient foe.
The tension would begin to build early as the air crews prepared for the coming mission. After
a quick but subdued meal at the mess hall it was off to the briefing where the target for the
day was announced and escort assignments were given. There they would be made aware of
what defenses they could expect, the flak corridors they would navigate around and the
anticipated reception from the Luftwaffe entering and exiting the target area; all the while they
defended the bombers against a persistent enemy bent on bringing the four-engined ‘big
friends’ down.
With the briefing concluded it was a short hop to the parachute shack to collect the
necessities including escape kits before they were driven out to their dispersal areas. There
they would confer with their crew chiefs, while being strapped in, about any issues the aircraft
had since the last mission. The tension was now palpable as the pilots waited like coiled
springs for the signal to start engines.
As the predetermined time arrived, magneto switches were turned on and engine generators
whined and dozens of Merlin engines roared to life. The popping of hot gases exiting exhaust
ports rose in harmony building to a low rumble, as chock blocks were pulled by ground crew
attempting to stand against the prop wash. The high-powered planes assembled each in
order of take off at the end of the respective runway.
With a shot from a Berry Pistol arching overhead signaling that the departure time had
arrived, Flight Leaders and Wingmen would push their engine throttles foreword and the
Rumble at Ramitelli would build. From a soft growl it would grow into a loud crescendo rising
in unison with the other engines announcing that another Tuskegee Mission was about to
commence.
In Robert Bailey’s latest action canvas, entitled RAMITELLI RUMBLE, ‘Little Freddio’ and
‘Lady Emmo’ of the 332 Squadron are the first to launch from the airfield and begin the
process to assemble before turning to a northern heading that will take them to the
rendezvous point where they will meet the bombers they are to escort to the heartland of
Germany. They will need to be vigilant today if their record of never losing a bomber they
escorted in combat, is to remain intact.
Click on image to read more about
Robert Bailey's new book.
Robert Bailey's new book.
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.
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.
Copyright © Ozark Airfield Artworks 2005 All Rights Reserved
All images are copyrighted by the individual artist and may not be reproduced
without their consent.
without their consent.
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Ozark Airfield Artworks
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Bailey, & Thomas Smith!