Close Quarters
oil on linen, 17" x 22 "

(private collection)

Close Quarters was created as cover artwork for the 100th issue of Over The Front. The event occurred on Sept 26, 1918 at approximately 5:50pm and involved SPADs from the 95th and 27th Aero Squadrons, Fokker DVII's of Jasta 13, and a Salmson 2A2. The fight resulted in the death of Lt. Ivan Roberts of 27Sq, seen here in the foreground. Roberts is credited to Lt Franz Büchner of Jasta 13. As Büchner was making his kill at nearly point blank range, Lt. Gravatt of 95 Sq (at the top of the 3-plane grouping) almost collided with him. Also involved in the fight was Lt. Frank Luke Jr., who can be seen in the lower left diving off into the distance.

Close Quarters was featured as the cover for the autumn 2010 issue of Over the Front, Vol. 25, No. 3.