"Defense of An Loc" - Dru Blair - AH-1 Cobra Vietnam Aviation Art

DRU BLAIR

Dru Blair was born in Newbern, NC., September 7. Growing up in Columbia, SC, his ambitions originally were directed toward a career in medicine. However, during his undergraduate studies at Furman University in Greenville, SC, he discovered an artistic ability. He switched majors his senior year and graduated in 1981 with a BA. degree in art. He later found employment in Myrtle Beach, SC. as an airbrush artist painting shirts. He continued his education at the University of South Carolina in Columbia earning a Masters Degree in 1984. He worked in Atlanta from 1985-1987 transitioning to commercial illustration.

In 1988 he won the National Airbrush Excellence Award, which ushered in a wave of commercial opportunities. The following year he produced his first aviation painting, "Power" which became the first of three Air Force Magazine covers and remains the number one selling aviation print in the world .

Dru Blair is an Air Force Association Life Member (1989), Honorary Member of the United States Air Force (since 1991), Army Aviation Association of America Life Member (since 1993) , member of the North Carolina Association of Designers and Illustrators (since 1989), member of the Air Force Art Program (since 1991), member of the Graphic Artists Guild (since 1993), Artist Fellow member of the American Society of Aviation Artists (since 1994), and board member of the International Airbrush Association. He has been featured in television interviews and on dozens of magazine covers. His paintings can be found in hundreds of magazine and book publications. Commercial projects have included popular themes such as the Budweiser Bullfrogs . He has produced a half dozen instructional videos on airbrush techniques and is a featured lecturer at the World Airbrush Exposition. In march he was the Guest of Honor at the International Airbrush Forum held in Germany which drew over 10,000 artists from around the world. He was the official artist for Star Trek: Voyager book covers, as well as several of the other Star Trek licensees. Dru currently resides outside of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Dru Blair S/N Limited Edition Print "Defense of An Loc"

There are episodes in the history of warfare which define the turning point and change the way wars are fought. On April 13th, 1972, The North Vietnamese launched a fierce attack with approximately 40 tanks and supporting troops upon the provincial capital of An Loc, eighty miles north of Saigon. The town was defended by South Vietnamese troops and a small contingent of American advisors, commanded by Col. William Miller, US Army. The defenders were quickly overwhelmed and the situation described became desperate. A column of Soviet made T-54 tanks had penetrated the defenses to within a few yards of the American Command Bunker. Fortunately, the 1st Calvary Division, Battery F, 79th Artillery, otherwise known as the Blue Max, was on station. Two AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopters responded, crewed by CWO Barry McIntyre, Major Larry McKay, 1/Lt. Steve Shields, and Capt. Bill Causey and were armed with the newly developed HEAT 2.75" rockets, which had never been tested in combat. In a daring and entirely untried manuever, the Cobras rolled in and attacked the three enemy T-54’s that had approached to within a few yards of Col. Millers Command Bunker. The first 2.75" rockets launched by McIntyre and McKay destroyed the lead tank, halted the attack, and began what can be accurately described as a rout by the Blue Max. With this bold action, McIntyre and McKay became the first helicopter pilots in history to destroy an enemy tank and demonstrated the lethal capability of the Attack Helicopter as a weapon that would entirely change the face of war.

In The Defense of An Loc artist Dru Blair brings to life this turning point in history. The three T-54’s threatening Col. Miller’s bunker are seen at the moment that the first pair of rockets impact on the lead tank. The product of extensive research. The Defense of An Loc was assembled from interviews with eyewitnesses and aerial and ground photos taken during the battle.

A Limited Edition of only 750 prints, The Defense of An Loc is reproduced on 100 lb. Museum Quality Archival Acid Free stock, and is individually inspected and signed by the artist. A Certificate of Authenticity is provided with each print.

In addition, each print is countersigned by Lt. Col. McKay (RET) and CWO McIntyre, "Serpent 6", the crew who were responsible for the first successful helicopter attack upon an armored force, and Col. William Miller, "Tunnel 10". US Army (RET), the senior ground commander at An Loc.

More information about the aircrew members who served in Vietnam during the period 1961-75 can be found at the Vietnam Helicopter Flight Crew Network.
"This has to count among the two most difficult paintings I have ever attempted due to the challenge of obtaining a complete photo reference. I ended up assembling the scenario from a dozen aerial and half dozen ground shots to complete the painting. It took over a year to finalize this piece, but I thought it significant in the history of helicopters." ~ Dru Blair - 1994

25" by 29" Limited Edition print - Limited to 750 - is signed by the artist and co-signed by Lt. Col. McKay (RET), CWO McIntyre and Col. William Miller.

Also available as a S/N Artist Proof - limited to 100 - $185.00

All Limited Edition prints are signed and numbered (S/N) by the artist. Limited Edition prints are restricted to a certain number. For example, if 400 prints are made from an original painting, once they’re gone, that’s it. There is no limit to the number of open edition prints of a particular painting. That’s why Limited Edition prints are more expensive — and more valuable to collectors — than "open" edition. Rare objects are more valuable.

An Artist’s Proof (AP), generally, is the first 5% - 10% of the Limited Edition prints that come off the press. This status is noted on the print. Collectors prefer APs because their value increases even more than a Limited Edition as time goes by.

All Limited Edition artwork is subject to availability at time of order. Although seller strives to remain currrent as to inventory, seller reserves the right to cancel a sale if item is no longer available at time of purchase.