Jerry Taliaferro
Jerry Taliaferro was born in the small southern town of Brownsville, Tennessee. After graduating high school in May 1972, he joined the Army. Almost a year later he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated four years later as a member of the Class of 1977. His real interest in photography began when he was posted to Fort Bragg, North Carolina for Special Forces training in 1981. While serving in Germany, his interest in photography continued to grow and in 1985 he was published for the first time when a Munich magazine purchased the rights to one of his images.
After returning to the United States in the Summer of 1985, Jerry began doing assignments for advertising and design firms. In July 1988, he left the military and began his pursuit of a career in commercial photography.
Over the ensuing years, his interest turned more to fine art photography. This change in direction has resulted in several projects and published pieces. Women Of A New Tribe, a photographic study of the spiritual and physical beauty of black women is one of his latest projects.
"Warbirds of the 332nd FG" P-47 Thunderbolt Print by Jerry Taliaferro
The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was a large rugged and powerful fighter aircraft that was more than capable of holding its own against its Axis adversaries. The "Jug", as it became affectionately nicknamed, was the most produced U.S. fighter of the Second World War. It was flown by many U.S. Allies and deployed to all theaters.
As with many of the aircraft used by the 332nd FG, the initial Thunderbolts received were hand-me-downs. The first P-47s came from the 325th FG, the "Checkertails". This aircraft replaced the less capable P-39 AiraCobra that equipped the 100th, 301st and 302nd Fight Squadrons. One of the variants used by the 332nd FG was the P-47D "Razorback" bare metal or painted OD. The P-47's were the first 332nd aircraft to bare the distinctive red tails that would become the signature marking of the group. While the P-47 was used by the 332nd FG only for a few weeks, the acquisition of the P-47 was significant in that it marked a change in the unit's missions from the more tactical (ground support) to the more strategic (bomber escort).
Print is available in the following overall sheet sizes:
17" by 22" - $50
13" by 19" - $35
Jerry is dedicated to presenting and preserving the history of the first black aviators in the form of aviation art. After meticulous research, he uses a process in which carefully crafted special effects photographs are digitally manipulated to create realistic depictions of events and aircrafts. The final part of the process is review of the image by a group of subject matter experts which includes historians, modelers, hobbyists, and in some cases actual witnesses. His first goal is to be as historically accurate as possible.
All 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.
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