Aviation art print depicting a top ace of the famed 4th fighter group. by aviation artist Troy White. Lt.
Ralph "Kidd" Hofer of the 334th FS 4th FG rolls out behind an Me109G-6 flown by Uffz. Heinz Kunz of
6./JG11 on the 28th of May, 1944. In moments the 109 dove into the ground streaming glycol. Thus the
"Kidd" claimed his 15th and last air-to-air victory of the war. In the painting Lt. Hofer is flying his
assigned aircraft P-51B 42-106924. Equipped with a Malcolm hood, QP-L is nicknamed "Salem
Representative". Hofer came from the small town of Salem Missouri.
With his long hair and football jersey, "Kidd" Hofer stands out as one of the most memorable characters
in the 8th Air Force. After serving in the RCAF Hofer transferred to the 4th FG in September of 1943 and
promptly destroyed an Me 109 on his first mission. Hofer was known for not maintaining radio discipline
incurred the wrath of Col. Don Blakeslee on more than one occasion. One of his more memorable R/T
quotes was "Gee ain't the Alps pretty". The "Kidd" was also one of the top strafers in the 8th AF with 14
confirmed enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground.
The escapades of this great ace came to an enigmatic end on July 2, 1944. On a mission to Budapest,
Hungary, Hofer, flying a borrowed airplane, was last seen as his squadron was being attacked by a
superior force Me 109s. His body was found in the wreckage of P-51B, QP-X some 500 kilometers away
in Mostar, Yugoslavia
Ralph "Kidd" Hofer of the 334th FS 4th FG rolls out behind an Me109G-6 flown by Uffz. Heinz Kunz of
6./JG11 on the 28th of May, 1944. In moments the 109 dove into the ground streaming glycol. Thus the
"Kidd" claimed his 15th and last air-to-air victory of the war. In the painting Lt. Hofer is flying his
assigned aircraft P-51B 42-106924. Equipped with a Malcolm hood, QP-L is nicknamed "Salem
Representative". Hofer came from the small town of Salem Missouri.
With his long hair and football jersey, "Kidd" Hofer stands out as one of the most memorable characters
in the 8th Air Force. After serving in the RCAF Hofer transferred to the 4th FG in September of 1943 and
promptly destroyed an Me 109 on his first mission. Hofer was known for not maintaining radio discipline
incurred the wrath of Col. Don Blakeslee on more than one occasion. One of his more memorable R/T
quotes was "Gee ain't the Alps pretty". The "Kidd" was also one of the top strafers in the 8th AF with 14
confirmed enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground.
The escapades of this great ace came to an enigmatic end on July 2, 1944. On a mission to Budapest,
Hungary, Hofer, flying a borrowed airplane, was last seen as his squadron was being attacked by a
superior force Me 109s. His body was found in the wreckage of P-51B, QP-X some 500 kilometers away
in Mostar, Yugoslavia
"THE KIDD"
Available as a signed & numbered limited edition print. Overall print size:
19" x 26".
19" x 26".
All artwork represented on the pages of this website is
copyrighted and may not be reproduced in whole or in part by
any means without the knowledge, permission and express
written consent of the artist Troy White.
copyrighted and may not be reproduced in whole or in part by
any means without the knowledge, permission and express
written consent of the artist Troy White.
| 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. |
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| All images are copyrighted by the individual artist and may not be reproduced without their consent. |
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