Last Flight of the Avenger (Oil)

This piece pays tribute not only to a pivotal moment in history but also to the enduring legacy of those who served. The painting captures the tension and heroism of World War II aerial missions, where split-second decisions could mean the difference between life and death. On December 16, 1943, the B-24 Liberator named the “Avenger” was heavily damaged over Germany by a flack burst in the bomb bay area of the aircraft, knocking out the #3 and #4 engines and all communication with the crew in the rear half of the aircraft.  After ordering the four crewmen in the front to bail out over Germany, the pilot attempted to fly the heavily damaged plane back to their base in England to save the crewmen in the rear of the plane.  Once over England, he attempted to crash land on a beach south of Hull, England. Unknown to the pilot, the beach was mined and all aboard perished. I did this painting for my brother-in-law whose father, Sgt. Alfonso Terwey was the waist gunner on that ill-fated flight, honoring all the brave men involved ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. Special thanks must go to Roger Fenton, the Historian for the 44th Bomb Group who provided me with the historical information and aircraft markings for the “Avenger”. This painting would not have happened without his help.