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"FINAL VICTORIES" |
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In
"Final Victories" Roy Grinnell has dramatically caught the
moment near the end of the Korean War, when the paths of Lt. General Han
Decai, PLAAF and Colonel Harold E. Fisher, USAF crossed in the skies
above northern China. With ten
confirmed aerial victories to his credit, Hal Fisher was one of the
American's most successful jet fighter aces, and with four confirmed
aerial victories, Han Decai was regarded as one of the young rising
stars of the People's Liberation Army Air Force. On
the afternoon of April 7,1953, while completing a fighter sweep over
North Korea, Fischer spotted a group of Soviet-built MiG-15 jet
fighters. Ordering his wingman
who was experiencing mechanical problems to return to base, Fischer then
single-handedly took-on the enemy jets. Diving
to the attack, the American ace quickly latched onto the tail of the
nearest MiG fighter and began shooting. The
MiG caught fire and fell off to one side, Fischer then shifted his fire
to a second MiG-15 which lost speed and began to smoke.
He then maneuvered in behind a third MiG, which shuddered under
the impact of his six .50 caliber machine guns and burst into flames.
However, as Fischer pulled up from the burning MiG-15, the engine
of his North American F-86 Sabre suddenly died, and his cockpit filled
with thick choking smoke. Rushing
to the aid of his flight leader's burning MiG fighter, Han Decai closed
in on Fischer's F-86 and opened fire with his MiG's three heavy
automatic cannons. The course of the swirling aerial combat had crossed
into Chinese territory, where Fischer ejected from his mortally damaged
aircraft. Following a safe
parachute landing, Fischer was quickly captured by soldiers of the
Chinese Army. In
May 1955, following more than two years as a prisoner-of-war, Fischer
was released from Chinese captivity and returned to active air force
service. In fact, both Han and
Fischer would enjoy long and distinguished air force careers.
In October 1997, Fischer was invited to accompany a special tour
of veterans of the American Volunteer Group to China, and while visiting
the city of Shanghai, Fischer and Han had the opportunity to finally
meet face to face. The historic
meeting of the two former fighter aces was widely covered by the Chinese
news media. "Final
Victories" will be released as a limited edition art print in late
2002. Signed by Lt. General Han Decai and Colonel Harold E. Fischer and
artist Roy Grinell, "Final Victories" will in all probability
be the only aviation art print ever signed by two opposing jet fighter
aces who actually met in aerial combat.
To place orders please contact
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