Game, Set, Match, Checkmate - 211 by Philip West

The long anticipated sequel to the phenomenal SILVER KITE 211, a limited edition art print depicts the F-8E Crusader of Cmdr. Harold "Hal" Marr along with his wing man, Lt.(jg) Phil Vampatella, as they make a high speed, low level victory fly-by alongside the deck of the USS Hancock of 12 June 1966. Cmdr. Marr celebrates his victory over a North Vietnamese Mig 17 above a small valley that runs from Dao Binh to Luc Namh. Cmdr Marr led a flight of four F-8's while escorting eight A-4 Skyhawks on a strike mission against a North Vietnamese Army barracks and supply storehouse just west of Dong Trai, about 30 miles East/Northeast of Hanoi. Utilizing both missiles and his guns, Cmdr. Marr scored the first of many such victories achieved by the Chance-Vought F-8 during the early stages of the Air War over North Vietnam. It was only a little over a week later, that Lt. (jg) Vampatella continued this success streak when he scored his first victory. The Crusaders of VF 211, known as the Checkmates, achieved the admirable record of being the highest scoring F-8 Squadron of the Vietnam War. Depicting the aircraft of that conflict as no other artist can, Philip West continues to amaze the aviation art world with the depth and breadth of his considerable talents.