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A 50th Anniversary Tribute to the
United States Air Force from America Remembers |
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The United States Air Force -
for 50 years, the sky has echoed with its thunder. In times of war and
peace, America's best and brightest have patrolled the airways of the
world, keeping our most cherished ideals aloft on the "Wings of Freedom."
Now the 50th anniversary of America's Air Force is honored
with the "Wings of Freedom" USAF Golden Anniversary Tribute, a working
Colt .45 pistol, authorized and issued by the Armed Forces Commemorative
Society and America Remembers. Each is polished, blued and decorated in a
24-karat gold by master artisans specifically commissioned by America
Remembers for this project.
On September 18, 1947, Congress established the United
States Air Force as a separate branch of the U.S. military. The very next
summer, the Berlin airlift marked the beginning of a long tradition of
USAF relief efforts around the globe. In all that time, and to this very
day, the USAF has defended America and her allies, protected the skies,
brought disaster relief to the peoples of the world, taken the lead in
developing satellite technology, and provided NASA with generations of
astronauts. The "Wings of Freedom" Tribute honors this tradition of
service, a tradition that has spread the Wings of Freedom wide enough to
encircle the entire globe.
The B-29 "Superfortress," the B-52 "Stratofortress," the
F-86A "Sabre" and the F-16 "Fighting Falcon" - four of the most celebrated
military aircraft of the last half-century - take wing in the pistol's
meticulously detailed, 24-karat gold images. Each represents an important
era in the history of America's air superiority.
Right side of the slide features two of the USAF's most
famous bombers - the B-29 and the B-52. The B-29 was first used by the
Army Air Force in WWII and later served the USAF with distinction in the
Korean conflict. The B-52 has been the primary long-range bomber of the
Strategic Air Command since 1955, and it also provided air support for the
ground forces in Southeast Asia.
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| Left side features
two of the Air Force's most celebrated fighter jets. To the left is the
F-86A "Sabre," the USAF's first swept-wing jet fighter. In Korea, Sabres
shot down 792 Russian MiG-15's compared with only 76 Sabres lost, setting
the success ratio for all fighters to follow. To the right is the F-16; in
service since 1980, it was instrumental in "Operation Desert Storm" and
remains in service today. Between the two fighters, the American eagle
holds a banner with the inscription, "Established Sept. 18, 1947,"
commemorating the birthday of the USAF. Certainly
no firearm has been so closely identified with the U.S. military as the
Colt .45 Pistol. When it was adopted in 1911, the Military Board of Review
called it "the most powerful, accurate and rapid-firing pistol that has
yet been produced." This was the sidearm in use at the founding of the
USAF in 1947. Dependable, powerful and accurate, it serviced generations
of USAF officers and airmen on their missions around the globe.
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Handsome Display Case
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| A handsome display case has
been fashioned with a glass lid for easy display of the
firearm. The case is luxuriously lined and contoured to the shape
of the gun. A brass plaque is included. |
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Make/Model:
Colt® Government Model® Pistol
Barrel Length: 5 Inches
Caliber:
.45ACP
Edition Limit: 250
Decoration: Each Tribute is decorated by
craftsmen
specifically commissioned by America Remembers.
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This item is
CLOSED. Please visit our Resale Information
section for information on how you may possibly acquire one.
* All orders
are subject to acceptance by America Remembers and availability. If I
cancel my reservation prior to delivery, I will receive a full refund,
less a commissioning fee of $195. Virginia residents please add sales
tax.
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