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Aviation Art Work
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Click image to see a larger picture |
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Shot Down!
by
Vladimir Urbanek
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| Edition : |
Artist Signed Edition |
| Edition Size : |
50 |
| Type: |
Limited Edition Lithographic Print |
| Print Size : |
35¼" x 23½" |
| Date of Issue : |
May 2005 |
| Issue Price : |
US$ -; 50 Euros
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| Edition Status : |
Available at Publisher |
| Medium : |
Oil |
| Description : |
In the early 1950s, at the outset of the Cold War era, Czechoslovak aviation was undergoing a period of enormous expansion, in connection with the need to strengthen the country’s air defense, as relations between Europe’s East and West at that time were severely strained. The war in Korea was in full swing, a third World War seemed a real threat.
Violations of air space along Czechoslovakia’s western border were relatively frequent. In March 1953, one such violation by USAF aircraft resulted in the shooting down an American F-84 Thunderjet fighter jet. This unique event still arouses the interest of aviation historians as well as the general public.
On that day, March 11, 1953, two pilots, Pilot Officer Jaroslav Šrámek and Pilot Officer Milan Forst of the 2nd flight of the 5th airforce regiment, Czech Air Force, were out on air assault exercises. At 1059 hrs, the leading aircraft spotted two jets approaching from the left at approximately 1000 meters below their altitude, at a distance of about 5 km. On approaching them more closely, Pilot Office Šrámek identified them as American F-84 Thunderjet jet fighters.
He reported the situation to the ground commander, Maj. Grznár, who was on duty on that day. P.O Šrámek then ordered the other pilot to end the training activity and to adopt a combat configuration. In the meantime, the intruders had apparently noticed them and despite their disadvantageous position at a lower altitude, immediately started a defense maneuver – the leading plane a sharp bend to the left, the second aircraft to the right.
Pilot Office Šrámek, covered by P.O. Forst, started to pursue the leading intruder, when, while making the first bend he obtained the order to attack and to fire a warning shot. The use of warning illuminating shells in accordance with the regulations, was already out of question. It was the intruders who started the fighting; to try and overtake them and fire the warning shells was no longer possible and might eventually have involved a risk for the pursuers themselves.
A warning shot, fired in the second bend, hit the fuel tank on the right wing of the Thunderjet, causing the fuel to leak rapidly. The intruder attempted to escape behind the state frontier, heading straight to the south at maximum speed. However, he did not stand much chance against the faster Mig-15s or „102s“.
At 1104 hrs, P.O. Šrámek fired a second time from a distance of 200-300 meters. These shots hit the fuselage of the Thunderjet. Smoke appeared from behind the cockpit, soon followed by flames. The burning aircraft continued to descend towards the state border, which was already near. P.O. Šrámek ceased shooting climbing left and announced the completion of the task.
At the same time, the second F-84 aircraft suddenly flew over P.O. Forst’s plane, who immediately started to pursue the F-84, but soon lost it in clouds. At 1106 hrs, the two pilots formed up again and returned back to their air-base.
This first print by aspiring Czech aviation artist Vladimir Urbanek is signed by the artist. |
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| Edition : |
Pilot Signed Edition |
| Type : |
Limited Edition Lithographic Print |
| Edition Size : |
40 |
| Issue Price : |
US$ -; 100 Euros |
| Status : |
Available at Publisher |
| Description : |
This edition is signed by the artist and Czeck Air Force pilot Jaroslav Sramek, who shot down the USAF F-84 Thunderjet. |
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Read Artist Biodata : |
Vladimir Urbanek |
| See : |
Other Aviation Art by this Artist |
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in this artwork? |
Dealers
or Galleries at which this Aviation Artwork is available for sale
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| Related Information
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| Aircraft : |
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 Fagot , Republic F-84 Thunderjet |
| Airforce : |
Czech Air Force, USAF |
| Era : |
Cold War |
| Event : |
Unusual or Unique |
| Publisher : |
Aviation Gallery Vladimir |
| Subject : |
Aviation Art, Fighter, Fighter - Dogfight, In Flight, Jet, Shootdown |
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| Note on Prices : The prices stated on all editions are original issue prices, and are subject to change due to availability and foreign exchange rates. Please check with the supplier for the current price when ordering. |
Click on any thumbnail image in the left frame to view a larger picture as well as information on the aviation art work.
To view aviation art of other aircraft, visit the eHangar.com Aircraft Directory.
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