Out of the Dragons Den

It was the morning of Monday, 18 April 1942 and, taking a final look at the carrier rapidly disappearing into the distance, the B-25s headed west on what each of the five man crews knew was a one-way ride. With luck they might make it to Nationalist China but first they had an important mission to complete - destination Tokyo! Four months earlier the Japanese had launched their blistering unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor leaving America reeling. As setback followed setback, America needed retribution and the man chosen for the task was Lt. Col. James Doolittle.

Planning one of the most audacious raids ever undertaken, Doolittle and his chosen band of raiders would attempt the impossible - a direct strike at the heart of Imperial Japan. It was what the enemy least expected.

Richard Taylor’s powerful new painting Out of the Dragons Den depicts the scene immediately after the Raiders had carried out their mission. One of the last B-25 Mitchell's, having successfully bombed its target, makes its escape towards mainland China. As the navigator sets the new course, their path takes them close to targets hit by other Raiders, dark columns of smoke rising rapidly from the burning oil and carnage below.

Signatures:

Limited Edition:

• Lieutenant Colonel Richard E. COLE - The co-pilot of General Doolittle’s aircraft, B-25 #1 which attacked the city of Tokyo.
• Staff Sergeant David J. THATCHER - The flight engineer and gunner on B-25 #9 which attacked Tokyo Bay in the town of Kawasaki.
• Master Sergeant Edward J. SAYLOR - The navigator and bombardier on B-25 #15 which bombed targets in Kobe.
• Aviation Machinist 1st Class George H. MAYNOR (Companion print) - As plane captain he was directly involved with the B-25’s and was on the flight deck when the Raiders took off.
  
  The Collectors Editions, Artist's Proofs and Remarque Editions: Includes all of the above plus,
  
  
• Major Thomas C. GRIFFIN - The navigator on B-25 #9 which bombed Kawasaki on Tokyo Bay.