Original Artwork Print: “No Escape” P-47 Thunderbolt Painting Signed By Artist / Retired Pilot Marcus W. Stewart Jr and WWII P-47 Pilot Distinguished Cross Recipient Robert S. Johnson – 35 ¼” x 26 ¼” Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt is a World War II-era fighter aircraft produced by the American aerospace company Republic Aviation from 1941 through 1945. Its primary armament was eight .50-caliber machine guns, and in the fighter-bomber ground-attack role it could carry 5-inch rockets or a bomb load of 2,500 lb (1,100 kg). When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to 8 tons, making it one of the heaviest fighters of the war.

The Thunderbolt was effective as a short-to medium-range escort fighter in high-altitude air-to-air combat and ground attack in both the European and Pacific theaters. The P-47 was designed around the powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp 18-cylinder radial engine, which also powered two U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps fighters, the Grumman F6F Hellcat and the Vought F4U Corsair. An advanced turbosupercharger system ensured the aircraft’s eventual dominance at high altitudes, while also influencing its size and design.

The P-47 was one of the main United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) fighters of World War II, and also served with other Allied air forces, including those of France, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union. Mexican and Brazilian squadrons fighting alongside the USAAF also flew the P-47.

This framed painting is a limited edition print (#101 of 550) where the printing plates were destroyed after production. The image is of a dog fight between Lt. Col. Robert S. Johnson of the 56th Fighter Group. Printed at the bottom of the artwork is a lovely description of the image:

Lt. Col. Robert S. Johnson was the 4th highest scoring American Ace of WWII. He was the first American pilot in the European Theater of Operations to break Eddie Rickenbacker’s WWI record of 26 kills.

The condition of the artwork and frame is excellent.

Comes more than ready for display.

Marcus Stewart Biography

Marc Stewart is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, currently residing in Newnan, Georgia. He has always had a love of flying and a love of aircraft (WWII aircraft in particular). As a teenager he earned his private pilots license. He and his friends flew all over the U.S. and Canada in a Cessna 120, and through their ignorance of youth (mixed with a lot of luck) narrowly averted death many times! They would often get two aircraft and “dogfight” each other or put on “airshows” for friends.

In college Marc became involved in sailplane flying and was an active member of the West Georgia College Sport Parachute Team. After college, he joined the U.S. Navy and graduated from Aviation Officers Candidate School in Pensacola. Marc then began flight training in pursuit of a career in Naval Aviation. During his Naval career Marc flew several aircraft including the T-34C, T-2C, US-2B, C-12, C-131 and the TA-4J Skyhawk. In 1995, he retired from the Naval Reserve as a Lieutenant Commander.

In grade school and high school Marc drew or painted aircraft subjects. Throughout college many of his art shows were of an aviation theme. Marc believes his early flying experience influenced his college art projects. His military flying days and aviation maintenance experience further served to enhance his attention to detail in his aviation artwork.

In 2008, Marc was named the recipient of the prestigious R.G. Smith Award for Excellence in Naval Aviation Art, presented by the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, FL. Marc’s aviation art has been juried into numerous exhibits nationwide including the EAA Sport Aviation Art Competition and the National Museum of Naval Aviation’s Aviation Art Competition Exhibition. Marc won “First Place–Military” from Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine in the 2002 International Juried Aerospace Art Exhibition and won again in the same category, receiving “Third Place–Military” in 2005. His painting, “Hell Over the Hadley,” won Best in Show in the 2006 National Museum of Naval Aviation Competition Exhibition. His work has illustrated articles in numerous publications including Aviation History, World War II, Military History, AutoPILOT, and Airline Pilot Careers magazines.

Marc’s artwork has also graced the pages of numerous published books including Fantail Fighters (cover art) from Phalanx Publishing; The Marines from the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation; Target of Opportunity: Tales & Contrails from the Second World War by pilot/author Richard A. “Dick” Hewitt; USMC, A Complete History from the Marine Corps Association; Semper Fi by Col. H. Avery Chenoweth, USMCR (Ret.). His painting, “Cat and Mouse Over Wake” is featured in an exhibit in the new National Museum of the Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. and on the Museum Website at .

Marc is an Artist Fellow member of the American Society of Aviation Artists (ASAA) and holds a B.A. in Fine Art. His career as a professional artist spans nearly 15 years. From illustrating features in internationally published history magazines and books to private commissions for clients such as aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, Marc continues to expand his horizons in historical, military, and maritime art.

Robert S. Johnson

Robert Samuel Johnson (February 21, 1920 – December 27, 1998) was a fighter pilot with the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) during World War II. He is credited with scoring 27 victories during the conflict flying a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt.

Johnson was the first USAAF fighter pilot in the European theater to surpass Eddie Rickenbacker’s World War I score of 26 victories. He finished his combat tour with 27 kills. He was later credited by the Eighth Air Force claims board with a 28th victory when a “probable” was reassessed as a “destroyed”, then reduced back to 27 when a post-war review discovered that the Eighth Air Force had inadvertently switched credits for a kill he made with a double kill made by a fellow 56th Fighter Group pilot, Ralph A. Johnson, on November 26, 1943, a day when Robert Johnson aborted the mission after takeoff. (Their army serial numbers were also nearly identical, O-662216 and O-662217.)

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Robert Samuel Johnson, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 15 March 1944. On this date, Captain Johnson courageously led a flight of fighter airplanes in a determined attack against a numerically superior and well-supported force of enemy fighters attempting to intercept a friendly bomber formation. Although more than thirty enemy fighters were in a favorable position above him, Captain Johnson, mindful only of his duty to protect the bombers, without hesitation, led his flight of nine planes in an attack on another formation of more than forty enemy fighters then about to engage the bombers. During the engagement that followed, he personally destroyed three enemy fighters.

By his extraordinary courage, his aggressiveness, and his determination to destroy the enemy and protect the bombers, Captain Johnson rendered valorous and distinguished service to our nation. Captain Johnson’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.