Robert Johnson, P-47 Ace

Robert Johnson

P-47B "Lucky"

By Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette

Print size 12 x 18"

Limited Edition $75.00

Limited Edition prints are signed and numbered by the artist and signed by the aviator.

Open Edition $18.00

Open Edition prints are signed by the artist.

How to Order, Add to Cart

The original painting of the print is available. Johnson has signed the painting.

Painting size: 36x48" $5,000.00. See Below.

You can make payments so don't let this opportunity pass you by!

Robert Johnson

Barely one month before the United States entered World War II, Robert S. Johnson entered the Army aviation cadet training program on November 11,1941. Johnson started his training at Sikeston, Missouri and finished at Kelly Field, Texas where he received his wings and commission as second lieutenant in July 1942.

Johnson during training in a Ryan.

Johnson was then assigned to the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group where he was introduced to the new P-47 Thunderbolt. His group was then transferred to Boxed, England in April 1943. He earned his first aerial victory on June 13th by downing a Focke-Wulf FW190.

Robert Johnson.

Johnson was credited with being an excellent fighter pilot, flying against veteran German fighters that had just conquered the sky’s of Europe. By December 31st Johnson was a double ace with ten confirmed kills. Truly an accomplishment that quickly earned him much respect with his fellow pilots.

Johnson served with Gabby Gabreski who ended the war as the top American ace in Europe. Gabby gave Johnson credit as a gifted fighter with a keen eye, and the added ability to use the powerful Thunderbolt to its fullest capabilities.

Johnson and Sgt. Penfold.

Sgt. Penfold, Johnson, and machine gun armor.

During one of his first combat experiences, Johnson was nearly shot down over France by a Focke-Wolf FW190. The German pilot was skillful and emptied his guns into the massive Thunderbolt. The German pilot was stunned that the P-47 was still flying, so he pulled up along side of Johnson and looked over at him in his cockpit.

Johnson, "Penrod and Sam" with officers.

The German saw the extensive amount of damage he had done to the American plane, especially blowing out sections behind the pilot. Johnson was not willing to give up and was fighting to keep his plane in the air. He had no ammunition and had lost some of the controls of the fighter. In respect, which was shown many times by both sides, the German pilot escorted Johnson to the English Channel and saluted him as the rugged Pratt &Whitney engine in the lumbering Thunderbolt took him back to his base in England.

Johnson with his P-47.

During his combat duty, Johnson increased his victories at a rapid pace with one triple and seven doubles all on single missions. Johnson was the first American ace to break Eddie Rickenbacker’s score who was our top ace in World War I with 26 Victories.

Johnson and scoreboard.

Johnson ended his combat duty in May 1944 as the second highest-scoring ace in Europe with 27 confirmed aerial victories. He also flew in the first raids on Berlin in some of the most fierce fighting of the war.

Johnson knew that his true number of aerial kills exceeded 35 aircraft and never claimed any that he destroyed on the ground, which were many.

Here is gun camera footage of Johnson shooting down a Bf-109.

Got him!

Johnson, and "Lucky".

"Lucky", the P-47B above was the aircraft that Johnson scored most of his victories in. The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was one of America’s finest aircraft of World War II.

Gun camera footage of Johnson shooting down a Bf-110.

Here is the demise of the Bf-110.

It is an honor for me to be able to meet and work with Robert Johnson. A true American Hero who earned the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Presidential Unit Citation with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the British Distinguished Flying Cross, the Belgian Croix de Guerre with Palm, and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm. Robert earned a total of 26 medals for his achievements.