"We Invented Drive-By Shooting"

In the skies over China, three 1st Pursuit Squadron aircraft begin their diving attacks on Japanese bombers in early 1942. Depicted is aircraft #5, flown by Charlie Bond, with Dick Rossi's #3 banking away, and Robert Neale's #7 diving in the distance. In July 1999, the Tigers received the Milton Caniff Spirit of Flight Award from the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio. During that weekend, while discussing the tactics that earned the Tigers their incredible success, pilot John R. "Dick" Rossi said that "we invented drive-by shooting", thus giving the artist the title for this painting.

All images copyright Thomas A. Tullis.