Kepfords Run

19 February 1944, VF-17 was assigned fighter escort duty, with Lt(jg) Ira C. Kepford as division leader flying high cover. Arriving at the target site, Kepford decided there was enough fighter cover and that he was too vulnerable without a wingman, so he headed back for home base. En route, he spotted a Rufe float plane flying low on the water, which he easily shot down. Immediately after, a mass of 20 enemy fighters dove on the vulnerable pilot. He was quickly penned in by four enemy aircraft and forced to head north, away from his base. He tried to lose them flying low over land, without success. That is what this artwork depicts. Deciding he was moving too far afield to return to base on remaining fuel reserves, Kepford quickly cut to the left and reversed direction south over the water. The plane following Kepford on the left side attempted to turn inside to shoot him down, but the pilot misjudged his altitude and struck his wing into the water below, crashing. Those on the right side lost too much ground when Kepford reversed, so they gave up the chase

This awesome Corsair model, Zero model and pilot are by Gareth Hector, to whom I'm very grateful. Unit markings, materials, scene and illustration by me. Hope you like it!