Charles Knotek: First Airplane Used in War

Artist: Charles Knotek
1933 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1983
Image Size: 16.25 by 12.75 inches
Overall Size: 20 by 15 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Cold Press Illustration Board

During the early 1900's, political disputes broke out between Italy and Turkey over an area of land called Tripolitania. It was soon clear that war was inevitable. However, this was to be no ordinary war. For the Italian army was in the process of developing the world's first wartime "Air Fleet" ... which would quickly prove to be a formidable weapon. The "Air Fleet" consisted of nine very primitive airplanes of mixed designs. By far the most reliable and effective of all the planes were two Bleriots -- designed after the first plane to cross the English Channel. These two planes were dismantled and packaged up in Italy, then sent to the war zone and reassembled. On October 22, 1911, the leader of this rag-tag "Air Fleet" announced that the planes were ready for some preliminary test flights. However, soon after taking off, the pilots of both planes ... Captains Piazza and Moiza ... were so confident in their Bleriots that they veered over enemy territory and were able to undertake some strategic reconnaissance work. By so doing, these two pilots became the very first humans to fly an airplane over enemy territory during wartime. Through the brave service of these pioneer pilots and through the valuable information obtained by the use of these primitive aircraft, the ingenious Italian army was able to enjoy a definite advantage over the Turkish troops.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® Commemorative Cover for the Man's Conquest of the Heavens series issued in 1983.

Artwork Copyright © 1983 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB08374

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