An extraordinary original signed pencil sketch by Enola Gay's navigator, Theodore J. 'Dutch' Van Kirk.
Depicts the bombing of Hiroshima that began the end of WW2
Features Van Kirk's personal sketches, annotations and writing
On an off-white 11 x 8.5 inch sheet.
Van Kirk writes:
"The major concerns about the mission were:
a) Would the bomb work or be a dud
b) getting away from the bomb blast
Remember that this had never been done before - it was a great unknown. After the bomb exploded there was a great sense of relief - it had worked and it didn't destroy or damage the airplane."
Van Kirk has drawn a large mushroom cloud, with the caption: “Mushroom cloud, about 60,000 ft. above the target of Aioi Bridge - Center of Hiroshima”.
He has also drawn the Enola Gay’s position at the time of the explosion, and adds: "Enola Gay Altitude 31,060, heading about 60° speed 259 knots."
And added at the center of the explosion: "Atomic Bomb Explosion 1980 ft. above ground zero."
Signed in pencil: "Theodore J. Van Kirk - Navigator - Enola Gay - 6 Aug 1945.”
A fascinating piece of WW2 history, and highly desirable.
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