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Aviation history of
the Messerschmitt ME109 BF109 in aviation art prints by the world's
leading aviation artists. Aviation art prints available from Cranston Fine
Arts and the Military Art Gallery.
Adolf
Galland / Messerschmitt Bf109 E-4 by Ivan Berryman Germany's primary
fighter during World War II, the Daimler-Benz DB601A-powered BF109E-4
was much loved by its pilots, combining good speed and manoeuvrability
with a powerful armament, namely two 7.9mm MG 17 machine guns in the
nose top decking, two wing-mounted 20mm MG FF canon and a further 20mm
MGFF/M canon mounted in the engine, firing centrally through the
propeller spinner.
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 | High Summer by James Dietz. | 2 editions available from £135.00 |  | First Combat by David Pentland. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Duel of Eagles by Robert Taylor. | SOLD OUT / SOLD |  | Eagles at Dawn by Robert Taylor. | 1 editions available from £ |  | Adversaries by Ivan Berryman. (P) | 9 editions available from £ |  | Knights on the Eastern Front by Robert Taylor. | SOLD OUT / SOLD |  | Voyage into Destiny by Robert Taylor. | 2 editions available from £ |  | Ikarus Downed by David Pentland. | 4 editions available from £56.00 |  | Ace of Aces by Robert Taylor. | SOLD OUT / SOLD |  | JG2 - Gunther Rall and his Wingman by Ivan Berryman. | 3 editions available from £75.00 |  | Into the Fray by Richard Taylor. | 6 editions available from £110.00 |  | Gunther Rall - Black 13 by Ivan Berryman. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Head on Attack by Robert Taylor | £135.00 |  | Above the Cauldron by David Pentland. | 4 editions available from £56.00 |  | Evening Reflection by Richard Taylor. | 5 editions available from £75.00 |  | Horrido! by Robert Taylor. (B) | 3 editions available from £ |  | First Victory by Ivan Berryman. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Caucasus Dawn by Graeme Lothian. | 1 editions available from £155.00 |  | Break Out by Anthony Saunders. | 3 editions available from £85.00 |  | Terminal Morane by Ivan Berryman. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Eagles on the Channel Front by Robert Taylor. | 1 editions available from £200.00 |  | Adolf Galland / Messerschmitt Bf109 E-4 by Ivan Berryman | 13 editions available from £95.00 |  | Eagle Strike by Simon Atack. | 2 editions available from £115.00 |  | Bf109Es of JG52 by Ivan Berryman. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Gunther Rall by Ivan Berryman. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Green Hearts by Ivan Berryman. | 9 editions available from £70.00 |  | Hans-Ekkehard Bob, Bf109F by Ivan Berryman. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Spitfires of No.54 squadron during the Battle of Britain by Graeme Lothian. (P) | £340.00 |  | Breaking the Ring by David Pentland. | 4 editions available from £56.00 |  | Hawker Hurricane - War Horse by Graeme Lothian. (P) | £300.00 |  | Coastal Command - Avro Anson Mk.I by Ivan Berryman. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Black Devil by Nicolas Trudgian. (B) | £450.00 |  | Aces on the Western Front by Robert Taylor. | SOLD OUT / SOLD |  | Defiant but Doomed by Stan Stokes. | 4 editions available from £40.00 |  | Tigers in Normandy by Nicolas Trudgian. (FLY) | 5 editions available from £1.50 |  | Zemkes First Fan by David Pentland. | 4 editions available from £130.00 |  | Desert Sharks and Eagles by Nicolas Trudgian. | 5 editions available from £180.00 |  | The Battle for Britain by Robert Taylor. | 4 editions available from £200.00 |  | Foes Now Friends by Alan S Holt | 2 editions available from £125.00 |  | Three Hundred Club by Nicolas Trudgian (FLY) | 1 editions available from £1.50 |  | Schweinfurt Thunderbolts by Jason Askew. (P) | £620.00 |  | Eagle in the Snow, Petsamo, Finland, January 1943 by David Pentland. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Greenheart Warrior by Ivan Berryman. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Target ahead, Kursk, Central Russia, July 1943 by David Pentland. | 3 editions available from £80.00 |  | No Escape by David Pentland. | 9 editions available from £60.00 |  | Special Duties by Robert Taylor. | 2 editions available from £200.00 |  | The Right of the Line by Graeme Lothian. (AP) | 1 editions available from £155.00 |  | Tribute to Hermann Graf by Graeme Lothian. | 7 editions available from £130.00 |  | Duel Below Zero by Keith Woodcock. | £18.00 |  | Russian Roulette by Robert Taylor. | 2 editions available from £200.00 |  | Looking for Trouble by Philip West. | 2 editions available from £75.00 |  | Tribute to the 617 Sqn Dambusters Crew of Lancaster AJ-P by David Pentland. (P) | £410.00 |  | Steinhoff Tribute by Robert Taylor. | 3 editions available from £225.00 |  | The Last Eagle, Innsbruck, Austria, May 1945 by David Pentland. | 6 editions available from £95.00 |  | Eagles out of the Sun by Robert Taylor. | SOLD OUT / SOLD |  | Yellow 14 by Stan Stokes. | 3 editions available from £40.00 |  | Bf109E of III./JG2 - Summer 1940 by Ivan Berryman. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Messerschmitt Country by Nicolas Trudgian (AP) | 6 editions available from £ |  | Desert Victory by Nicolas Trudgian. | 3 editions available from £190.00 |  | A Pistol Whipping by Stan Stokes. | 6 editions available from £40.00 |  | The Count by David Pentland. (P) | £410.00 |  | Malta - George Cross by Robert Taylor. | 3 editions available from £225.00 |  | JG52 by Robert Taylor. | SOLD OUT / SOLD |  | Victory Flypast by David Pentland. (P) | £410.00 |  | Tribute to the 617 Sqn Dambusters Crew of Lancaster AJ-G by David Pentland. (P) | £410.00 |  | Collision Course by Ivan Berryman. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Flt Lt Walter Lawson by Ivan Berryman. (B) | 7 editions available from £90.00 |  | Bf109G of Hans-Ekkehard Bob by Ivan Berryman. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Dawn Eagles Rising by Robert Taylor. (B) | 2 editions available from £ |  | Messerschmitt versus Messerschmitt by David Pentland. | 4 editions available from £56.00 |  | High Five by Ivan Berryman. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Hartmann Tribute by Robert Taylor. | SOLD OUT / SOLD |  | Tribute to the 617 Sqn Dambusters Crew of Lancaster AJ-N by David Pentland. (P) | £410.00 |  | Combat Over London by Robert Taylor | SOLD OUT / SOLD |  | Fairey Battle Mk.I by Ivan Berryman. | 3 editions available from £75.00 |  | Stormclouds Gather by Nicolas Trudgian | 3 editions available from £145.00 |  | Spitfire Country by Nicolas Trudgian. (AP) | 1 editions available from £ |  | Erich Hartmann by Ivan Berryman. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Kursk - Clash of Steel by Nicolas Trudgian. (B) | 6 editions available from £ |  | Combat Over Normandy by Graeme Lothian. | £130.00 |  | Messerschmitt 109 by D A Lande. | £13.99 |  | Gunther Rall - on the Tail of a Yak by Ivan Berryman. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Dragons of Colombert by Nicolas Trudgian | 3 editions available from £140.00 |  | Kannonenboot by David Pentland. | 4 editions available from £56.00 |  | Birth of a Legend by Robert Taylor. | 1 editions available from £ |  | Billy Drake - First of Many by Ivan Berryman. | 3 editions available from £85.00 |  | Assi and Julius by David Pentland. | 4 editions available from £56.00 |  | A Day for Heroes by Ivan Berryman. | 7 editions available from £145.00 |  | Victory Above Dover by Ivan Berryman. | 10 editions available from £150.00 |  | A Nimble Foe by David Pentland. | 4 editions available from £56.00 |  | Tribute to the Blenheim Crews by Ivan Berryman. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Tip of the Spear by David Pentland. | 4 editions available from £56.00 |  | Feeding the Wolves Bite by Brian Bateman. | £125.00 |  | Hunter of the Arctic Sea by Timothy OBrien. | £16.00 |  | Merlin Roar by Anthony Saunders. | 10 editions available from £37.00 |  | Jagers by David Pentland. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Eagles Over the Steppes by Graeme Lothian. | 1 editions available from £180.00 |  | Angels Three Zero by Robert Taylor | £135.00 |  | Adolf Galland by Ivan Berryman. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Star of Africa by Ivan Berryman. | 4 editions available from £80.00 |  | High Summer by Anthony Saunders. | 3 editions available from £85.00 |  | Canadian Heroes by Stan Stokes. | 2 editions available from £40.00 |  | Taran over the Kuban by David Pentland. | 4 editions available from £56.00 |  | Horrido! Rall by Les Carter. | £145.00 |  | Hot Pursuit by Nicolas Trudgian. (B) | £390.00 |  | Final Victory by Simon Atack. | 2 editions available from £125.00 |  | Victory over Africa by Ivan Berryman. | 2 editions available from £80.00 |  | Dam Defenders by David Pentland. (P) | £410.00 |  | New Enemy by David Pentland. | 4 editions available from £56.00 |  | Gunther Rall - 274th Victory by Ivan Berryman. | 3 editions available from £75.00 |  | Air Armada by Robert Taylor. | 4 editions available from £200.00 |  | Lost Over Dunkirk by Ivan Berryman. | 4 editions available from £85.00 |  | Hande Hoch! by Michael Turner. | £35.00 |  | Hans-Ekkehard Bob - No.2 by Ivan Berryman. | 3 editions available from £75.00 |  | Assault on the Capital by Robert Taylor | 1 editions available from £525.00 |  | Tribute to Erich Hartmann by Graeme Lothian. | 8 editions available from £130.00 |  | JG52 - Summer 1940 by Ivan Berryman. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Messerschmitt BF109E-3 by Keith Woodcock. | 2 editions available from £32.00 |  | Black Devil of the Ukraine by Stan Stokes. | £40.00 |  | Tribute to the 617 Sqn Dambusters Crew of Lancaster AJ-L by David Pentland. (P) | £410.00 |  | Avro Anson by Ivan Berryman. | 3 editions available from £40.00 |  | A Costly Victory by Stan Stokes. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | First Flap of the Day by Nicolas Trudgian. | 7 editions available from £220.00 |  | Eagle Attack by Robert Taylor. | SOLD OUT / SOLD |  | Abbeville Boys by Robert Taylor. | £525.00 |  | Fear Nothing by Anthony Saunders. | 3 editions available from £85.00 |  | Combat Over Beachy Head by Nicolas Trudgian. | 6 editions available from £85.00 |  | Achtung - Indianer, Rechts by Iain Wyllie. | 2 editions available from £16.00 |  | Eagle Attack by Nicolas Trudgian | 2 editions available from £60.00 |  | Ltn. Hans-Ekkehard Bob of JG21 Becomes an Ace by Ivan Berryman. | 9 editions available from £125.00 |  | Open Assault by Robert Taylor. | 4 editions available from £200.00 |  | The Black Tulip by Philip West. | 2 editions available from £90.00 |  | In Defence of the Homeland by Graeme Lothian. (P) | £400.00 |  | Head to Head by Nicolas Trudgian | 2 editions available from £215.00 |  | Bf109 K-4 by Randall Wilson. (GS) | 2 editions available from £370.00 |  | Homeward Bound by Anthony Saunders. | 3 editions available from £85.00 |  | The Battle for the Skies Over Dieppe, 19th August 1942 by Graeme Lothian. | 9 editions available from £95.00 |  | Final Encounter (Spitfire v Messerchmitt) by Michael Turner. | SOLD OUT / SOLD |  | Me109 - Adolf Galland by Jason Askew. (P) | £620.00 |  | Anton Hafner by Ivan Berryman. | 9 editions available from £140.00 |  | The Frozen North, Petsamo, Finland, January 1943 by David Pentland. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | The Last Patrol by David Pentland. | 16 editions available from £37.80 |  | Eagles High by Robert Taylor. | SOLD OUT / SOLD |  | Tribute to Johannes Steinhoff by Graeme Lothian. | 8 editions available from £130.00 |  | Fighter General by Graeme Lothian. | £200.00 |  | High Summer High Battle by Nicolas Trudgian. | 4 editions available from £120.00 |  | Arctic Hunters by Richard Taylor. | 4 editions available from £95.00 |  | Eastern Med 1943 by Richard Ward | £14.00 |  | Fighter Legend - Adolf Galland by Nicolas Trudgian. | 2 editions available from £115.00 |  | Bombers Bane by David Pentland. | 4 editions available from £56.00 |  | Morning Chorus by Gerald Coulson. | 3 editions available from £165.00 |  | Hand of Fate by David Pentland. | 4 editions available from £56.00 |  | Most Memorable Day by Robert Taylor. | 2 editions available from £425.00 |  | Battle of the Bight by David Pentland. (P) | £410.00 |  | One to One by Ivan Berryman. | 8 editions available from £95.00 |  | Knights Move by Robert Taylor (C) | 4 editions available from £ |  | Early Risers by David Pentland. | 4 editions available from £56.00 |  | Clash of Eagles by Anthony Saunders. | 3 editions available from £85.00 |  | Stabsschwarm by David Pentland. | 4 editions available from £75.00 |  | Defence of the Realm by Adrian Rigby. | £125.00 |
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EAGLES OVER THE STEPPES BY GRAEME LOTHIAN Depicting ME109s flying over the Russian Front, the background is the
enormous panorama of the Russian Steppe. Signed by 4 leading German aces
who fought on the Russian Front.
The enormity of the battlefield on the Eastern Front was staggering in its
vastness. Stretching, as it did, nearly two thousand miles from frozen
wastelands of the Arctic in the north, to the Black Sea in the
south.
Over this hostile, formidable territory fighter pilots of the Luftwaffe
flew more combat missions and shot down more enemy aircraft during World
War Two than any other group of fighter pilots in the entire history of
aerial combat. Many of the top aces were in battle from the Spanish Civil
War in 1938 until the fall of Germany in 1945. They flew continuously day
after day, sometimes in the most appalling weather conditions, until they
were shot down or wounded.
Graeme Lothian's emotive print pays tribute to the Fighter Aces of the
Eastern Front. In the Background is the enormous panorama of the Russian
Steppe. Günther Rall is seen leading his pilots over enemy territory.
Each print is individually signed by Günther Rall, Walter Krupinski,
Peter Düttman, Walter Wolfrum.
The Signatories: Generalleutenant Günther Rall
With 275 victories Günther Rall is Germany's third ranking Ace. After his
39th victory he was wounded and paralysed for six months and he then
joined 8/JG 52 and later commanded III/JG - 52 on the Russian Front. In
the spring of 1944 he joined II/JG-11 on the Western Front and towards the
end of the war he was Kommodore of JG-300. Günther flew 621 missions, was
shot down five times and his decorations include the Knights Cross with
Oak Leaves and Swords.
Generalleutenant
Walter Krupinski
Walter Krupinski known as "Count Punski" was a popular figure in
the Luftwaffe's Fighter Arm. In 1942 he joined legendary JG-52 and on one
epic day claimed eleven victories. Early in 1944 he joined I/JG-5 in the
West and later becamme Kommandeur of II/JG-11 and then Kommandeur of
111/JG-26. During the closing weeks of the war he flew ME-262 jet fighters
with Adolf Galland's all star JV-44. The 'Count' had 197 victories and his
decorations include the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves.
Oberleutenant Peter
Düttman
Peter Düttman joined 5/JG-52 in the spring of 1943 and served with that
unit until the end of the war when he was a Staffelkapitan. During those
two years on the Russian Front Peter flew 395 missions, had 152 victories,
including nine in one day, was shot down or crash landed 17 times but was
never wounded. His decorations include the Knights Cross and towards the
end of the war was recommended for Oak Leaves.
Oberleutenant
Walter Wolfrum
Walter Wolfrum joined 5/JG-22 in February 1943, commanded by famous 'Macky'
Steinhoff, and was shot down 3 times and was wounded twice before his
first victory. Later he commanded 1/JG-52 on 30 May 1944, he had his most
successful day with eleven victories. Walter flew 423 missions, had 137
victories, was wounded four times and had 12 crash landings. His
decorations include the Knights Cross and German Cross in gold. |
FIGHTER GENERAL BY GRAEME LOTHIAN
Fighter general shows 'Dolfo' Galland leading a schwarm of BF109's out low
at tree top height over the Kent countryside after doing battle with
spitfires, during the last week of August 1940. This remarkable pilot was
awarded the Knights Cross as a Major on the 15th August. His daring and
leadership won the hearts of his men and respect from RAF Pilots. the Oak
leaves was awarded on the 23rd September 1940 and crossed Swords in June
1941 after 69 victories. At the end of 1941 at age only 29 he was
promoted Inspector General of the Fighter Arm. Leaving his post as
Kommodore JG26 to Gerhard Schoepfel he was awarded the Diamonds to the
Knights Cross in January 1942 at Oberst. As the youngest General in the
German High Command he held this post until 1944, after open disagreements
with Goring let to his dismissal. Reverting to combat flying he formed,
with Steinhoff, the legendary JV-44, flying the ME262 jet fighter. His
score by wars end stood at 104 all on the western Front. he was the only
General to lead a squadron into battle.
General Leutnant Walter Krupinski, Born in 1920 in eats Prussia, Walter Kuprinski joined the Luftwaffe as
a 19 year old on the day of the war. Commissioned as a Leutnant in 6/JG52
in February 1941. He was awarded the Knights Cross in October 1942 after
56 victories. promoted Staffelkapitan of 7?jg52 in March 1943. awarded Oak
leaves in march 1944 after 154 Victories. taking over II/JG11 on the
invasion of France and later III?JG26. he led that group until its
disbandment on 26th march 1945. Haupmann Krupinski joined
Adolf Galland's squadron of experts of JV44 scoring 2 victories in the
ME262 Jet. Bringing his total to 197 confirmed victories Krupinski's
5 wounds were recognised by the award of the Wound Badge in Gold.
Major Erich Rudorffer Born in 1917, Rudorffer won his Ritter Kreuz in May 1941. Whilst with
JG2 he down 45 RAF planes over the Channel and a further 27 in
Tunisia. But it was with JG54 in Russia that he had his spectacular
victories, scoring 5 Soviet Aircraft in 4 minutes on one mission and 7
aircraft in 7 minutes. But his most outstanding feat of arial combat was
13 enemy aircraft in just 17 minutes. The Oak Leaves followed on April
1944 and the Crossed swords on January 1945. he finished the War as an Ace
on Jets with JG7 scoring 12 victories in the mE262. In his remarkable
career he never went on leave, was shot down 16 times, bailed out 9 times,
flew over 1,000 missions and scored 222 victories, the seventh highest
ranking expert.
Major Gerhard Schoepfel. Born in 1912, Transferred to the Luftwaffe from the infantry in 1935,
he was Steffelkapitan 9/JG26 at the beginning of the war. he succeeded Galland
as Kommandeur of III?JG26 when Galland was promoted Kommodore and was
awarded the Knights Cross in September 1940. he took over as
Kommodore when Galland was Promoted. A post he held for just over a
year. Serving as fighter operations officer in Italy then
JAFU, Norway and later Hungary. As Kommodore JG6 in Czechoslovakia he was
captured by the Russians and remained a prisoner of War until 1949. he
flew 700 combat missions with the Jadwaffe.
Major Heinz Lange Began his combat in the polish Campaign and in 1939 shot down his first
aircraft, a British Blenheim Bomber, During the Battle of Britain he flew
76 missions. After service with JG 54 he was given command of
3/JG51. By May 1944 he led IV Gruppe JG51 and reached
his total of 70 victories being awarded the Knights Cross in November.
promoted Major was appointed Kommodore of Molders JG51 and in all flew 628
combat missions.
Colonel Heinz Marquardt He was born in Braunsberg in 1922 and spent his entire combat time with
JG51 and in 320 combat missions with the Luftwaffe Heinze Negus Marquardt
was accredited with 121 aerial victories, all scored on the eastern Front.
Flying both the BF109 and FW190. With 16 more unconfirmed. He was himself
shot down 8 times and on 7th October 1944 he downed 8 enemy aircraft in
one day and was awarded the German Cross in September 1944 and the coveted
Knights Cross in November 1944.
Captain Ernst-Wilhelm Reimert Born in 1919 this well known and highly decorated fighter pilot had by
21942 achieved over 100 victories on the eastern Front with JG27. He was
posted to Tunisia where he became the top scoring Luftwaffe Ace in this
theatre of war. With JG77 sent to Italy he continued to score spectacular
and ended the war flying 715 combat mission and scored 174 aerial
victories and was awarded the Knights Cross with oak leaves and Crossed
Swords.
Leutnant Fritz Tegtmeier Born in 1917 he joined 2/JG-54 in October 1940, but after being injured
in a crash it wasn't until 1941 that he achieved his first victory. A
brief time as a fighter Instructor in 1943 he returned to the Russian
Front and his score soon started to mount, By May 1944 he had over 100
victories. August 1944 saw his appointment as Staffelkapitan of
3/JG-54. In March 1945 he transferred to JG-7 flying mE262 Jet. By
the end of the war he had flown 700 combat missions and had 146 victories.
he was awarded the Knights Cross.
Leutnant Peter Duttmann Peter Duttmann Joined the luftwaffe at the beginning of the war and
after Fighter training was posted to 5/JG-52 in the Spring of 1943 and
stayed with this top-scoring unit until the end of the War when he
was a Staffel-Kapitan. he was shot down or crash landed 17 times and on 3
occasions landed far behind Russian lines and each time walked back to his
unit, sometimes taking days to do so. The 2 years
Peter spent on the front he flew 395 missions and had 152 confirmed
victories and more unconfirmed, all in the BF109 including2
tanks. His decorations include the Knights Cross and was
recommended for the Oak leaves at the very end of the war.
The Last Patrol by David Pentland A pair of Bf109 G-14s of 9th
Staffel, Jagdgeswader 54 (Greenheart
Wing) make a final sortie during the last days of March 1945.
No Escape by David Pentland Bf109 G2 of Major Gunther Rall pursues and downs an unidentified
Soviet aircraft over the Caucasus, Russia, early Autumn 1943. Rall went
on to become the third highest scoring ace of all time, with 275
victories in only 621 missions.
The Last
Eagle, Innsbruck, Austria, May 1945 by David Pentland Abandoned Me 109G-10, 3rd Staffel JG4.
Caucasus Dawn by Graeme Lothian Günther Rall leading 111 JG52 squadron April 1943. Signed by four
top German aces: Walter Wolfrum, Franz Woidich, Gunther Rall, Werner
Hohenberg.
COMBAT OVER NORMANDY BY GRAEME LOTHIAN pitfires of R.C.A.F 144 Wing led by Wing Commander Johnson in combat
with ME109's of JG3 over Arromanches, France June 1944.
with
three signatures of British RAF fighter Pilots Air Vice Marshal
J E Johnnie JOhnson C.B, C.B.E D.S.O , D.F.C D.L Air
Commodore Pete BrothersC.B.E. D.S.O D.F.C (Wing Commander Flying
Culmhead Wing) Wing Commnder Geoffrey page D.F.O D.F.C
Wing Commander flying 125 Wing
One to One by Ivan Berryman A Messerschmitt BF109 E of JG27 closes on a 501 squadron Hawker
Hurricane during the typical combat in the skies over southern England
during the Battle of Britain, in the summer of 1940.
Achtung - Indianer, Rechts by Iain Wyllie Leutnant
Julius Maimberg in Messerschmitt ME 109E white 11 and his 'Katschmarek'
Unteroffizier Rudolf Miese of 4 Staffel, J.G.2 'Richtofen' turn towards a
distant squadron of RAF fighters during the Battle of Britain
Foes
Now Friends by Alan S Holt Symbolically Johnnie Johnsons Spitfire
Mk9 flies with Adolf Gallands ME109E on the 60th anniversary of the
Battle of Britain. The two top scoring fighter aces represent all
the pilots of the Allies and the Luftwaffe who fought against each other
in WW2.
Kursk - Clash of
Steel by
Nicolas Trudgian. The Germans launched their attack on the Kursk salient
on 5th July 1943, and for both sides this was maximum effort. The
Soviets, however, informed by intelligence of the impending German
attack, had ample time to prepare huge defensive works with hundreds of
planned anti tank belts. They deployed 10 Tank Corps, 5 Tank
Armies, 1 mechanised Corps and 14 Field Armies equipped with 4000 anti
tank guns and 6000 tanks. The Soviet Air Forces were equally
impressive - 2600 aircraft. The Germans, outnumbered in every
department, were forced to scrape together whatever serviceable tanks
they could from their badly under strength Panzer formations. Most
of the tanks deployed were old Panzer IIIs or IVs, with only 147 Tigers
available for action. The northern German attack made very little
headway, but, in the south, the Germans had grouped all of the SS Panzer
forces into the II SS Panzer Corps and these units, despite the enormous
Soviet forces ranged against them, began to smash their way through the
Soviet defences. The Luftwaffe too had brought together 1200
aircraft and these made an immediate impact on the fighting - on the
first day alone German fighters broke up massive formations of Soviet
aircraft, over 400 victories being claimed.
The Black Tulip by Philip E West. Erick Hartmann flying his Me 109 Black Tulip during a quiet
moment, late on a busy day of combat. By wars end he had scored
352 combat victories during 1400 missions. Hartmann was decorated
with the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, Germanys
highest military award.
Looking for Trouble by Philip E West. Messerschmitt Bf109. The longest serving of all German
interceptors. This classic aircraft was the cornerstone of the
Luftwaffes fighter force throughout the second world war, built in
greater numbers and credited with more air victories than any other
fighter in history. |
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Eagles on the Channel Front by Robert Taylor A scene in northern France in late 1941. Having just returned to their
temporary airstrip in the region of St Omer, Luftwaffe pilots of JG-26
excitedly debrief their recent encounter with Spitfires and Hurricanes,
fought high over the Channel coast. The new Me109F's are parked under
trees to provide cover from low-level attacks. While ground crews prepare
the Me109s for the next mission, a group of the new Fw190A fighters taxi
out. Signatories: Oberfeldwebel Heinz Marquardt, Oberst Johannes
Naumann,
Oberleutnant Erhard Nippa, Major Gerhard Schöpfel, and Oberleutnant
Günter Seeger.
Badly mauled during the Battle of Britain, by early 1941 the Luftwaffe
fighter wings, strung right across northern France, were back on strength.
The front line squadron were re-equipping with the up-rated Me109F and,
though suffering initial over-heating problems, the remarkable new Fw190A
was making its first appearances. The Luftwaffe pilots were again full of
confidence, and having the air endurance advantage of fighting close to
their bases, they were competing on equal terms with the Spitfires and
Hurricanes of RAF Fighter Command. Having spent the first 18 months of the war fighting a defensive air
battle, RAF Fighter Command was raring to go onto the attack. The mix of
Rhubarbs - two or three-plane, low-level incursions to attack enemy bases
and installations - and large fighter sweeps aimed to entice the Luftwaffe
up for a fight, kept the German fighter pilots busy throughout the summer.
All through 1941 great air battles raged all along the Channel Front.
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| Eagle Strike by Simon Atack
Painting shows Major Günther Rall bringing down Hub Zemke's wingman,
the first of two victories claimed before himself being brought down by
56th Fighter Group P47s later in the combat. After recuperation, Günther
Rall returned to combat flying, commanding JG300 until the end of
hostilities by which time, with 275 air victories, he became the third
highest scoring Ace in history."My dread would have been all the greater had I known that the
pilot I had just seen dispatch Johnson and Piper was the third ranking
Ace of the Luftwaffe." Col. Hub Zemke.In the early spring of 1944, the Luftwaffe's 'Sturmgruppe' tactics -
large assault groups comprising as many as 100 heavily armoured Fw190s -
were bringing down large numbers of USAAF bombers. Shrewd ground control
kept the assembled German assault groups clear of advance Allied fighter
sweeps, while above high altitude Me109s provided top cover to protect
the weighty, vulnerable Fw190s. The scene was set for massive aerial
engagements, and the action fought on May 12, 1944 was typical of that
period.
Led by Colonel Hub Zemke, the 56th Fighter Group played advance guard
to a deep penetration bomber raid to central Germany. As his forty-eight
P47 Thunderbolts arrived to sweep the sky around the Koblenz - Frankfurt
area, the Me109s of II/JG11 pounced from a 5000 feet height advantage.
Led by Gruppe Kommandeur Major Günther Rall, already with 250 air
victories to his credit, the sharp-shooting Luftwaffe fighter pilots had
immediate success. |
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Most Memorable Day by Robert Taylor
Each print individually signed by: General ADOLF GALLAND
Oberst JOHANNES NAUMANN Major GERHARD SCHÖPFEL
Hauptmann OTTO STAMBERGER
THE THIRD AND FINAL PRINT IN
ROBERT TAYLOR'S TRILOGY IN TRIBUTE TO GENERAL ADOLF GALLAND.
A limited edition from the final drawing for Robert Taylor's third and
final painting in his important Galland Tribute Trilogy. Each print has
descriptive text personally hand-written by the artist.
Robert Taylor writes:
"I met General Adolf Galland many times. In 1987 he and his wife
Heidi did me the honor of flying from Germany to Washington DC to attend
the opening of my exhibition of aviation paintings at the Smithsonian. We
travelled together, and during the trip spent much time talking about
aviation in World War II.
There were three episodes in his distinguished career that specially
stood out in the memory of this great fighter leader, and he spoke of them
with great pride. It is these three episodes that I chose to portray in my
Galland Tribute Trilogy. I painted them in reverse chronological order,
leaving 'till last the period of his career of which he spoke most fondly.
General Galland signed each print in the suite.
Galland's Squadron of Experts, his JV-44 Wing flying the incredible
Me262 in 1945, pioneered the jet age, and having led the first jet
fighting unit in combat meant a great deal to Dolfo. I painted that first.
Next, because he was immensely proud of the role he played, I painted the
famous Channel Dash, Galland's first assignment as a newly promoted
General. Lastly, because Dolfo was a fighter pilot through and through, I
portrayed his beloved JG-26. I believe this period was dearest to his
heart.
The subject for the painting came from a Pilot Report written by Adolf
Galland describing his most memorable day as a combat pilot. Trying many
different approaches and making many sketches, I completed a final drawing
prior to starting the painting. Further research uncovered that Dolfo was
in fact flying an Me109F model that day and not an E as I thought. When my
publishers said they wanted to make a print from this drawing I decided I
would like to hand write the descriptive notes on each copy before signing
and numbering the prints. I have also individually signed a letter for
collectors which comes with each print." |
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Messerschmitt Country by Nicolas Trudgian
Nobody, least of all Allied aircrew, ever doubted the
tenacity of the Luftwaffe, more particularly that of the German fighter
pilots. From the early encounters during the Battle of Britain to
the great air battles in defence of their homeland late in the war, at all
times they were held in high regard, even if resented as a foe. At
no time was their dedication, determination, and courage better
demonstrated than during the final stages of World War Two. By the
summer of 1944 the Allies had gained a foothold in Normandy, and total air
superiority above Northern France. German installations and ground
positions were being pounded daily from the air, and the Ruhr, the
heartland of industrial Germany, was under constant siege. Even the
factories in southern Germany were not safe from the attentions of the
USAAF bombers by day, and the RAF by night. But in spite of the
pressures of mounting losses and diminished supplies, the Luftwaffe fought
doggedly on in best traditions of the fighter pilot. The morning of
19 July 1944 saw the USAAF's 8th and 15th Air Forces mount an attack of
awesome proportion against the aircraft factories in the region of
Munich. To combat a seemingly overwhelming force of 1400 bombers and
almost as many fighter escorts, the Luftwaffe were able to put up just
three Gruppen from JG300 and one from JG302, flying a mix of Me109G's and
Fw190's - barely 50 serviceable fighters between them. They were
joined by a dozen Me109's of II./JG27, these fighters desperately trying
to defend the very factories in which they were made. |
| SHOWCASE PRODUCT | |
| ARTIST | Featured Artist - Robert Taylor
The name Robert Taylor has been synonymous with aviation art over a quarter of a century. His paintings of aircraft, more than those of any other artist, have helped popularise a genre which at the start of this remarkable artist's career had little recognition in the world of fine art. When he burst upon the scene in the mid-1970s his vibrant, expansive approach to the subject was a revelation. His paintings immediately caught the imagination of enthusiasts and collectors alike . He became an instant success. As a boy, Robert seemed always to have a pencil in his hand. Aware of his natural gift from an early age, he never considered a career beyond art, and with unwavering focus, set out to achieve his goal. Leaving school at fifteen, he has never worked outside the world of art. After two years at the Bath School of Art he landed a job as an apprentice picture framer with an art gallery in Bath, the city where Robert has lived and worked all his life. Already competent with water-colours the young apprentice took every opportunity to study the works of other artists and, after trying his hand at oils, quickly determined he could paint to the same standard as much of the art it was his job to frame. Soon the gallery was selling his paintings, and the owner, recognising Roberts talent, promoted him to the busy picture-restoring department. Here, he repaired and restored all manner of paintings and drawings, the expertise he developed becoming the foundation of his career as a professional artist. Picture restoration is an exacting skill, requiring the ability to emulate the techniques of other painters so as to render the damaged area of the work undetectable. After a decade of diligent application, Robert became one of the most capable picture restorers outside London. Today he attributes his versatility to the years he spent painstakingly working on the paintings of others artists. After fifteen years at the gallery, by chance he was introduced to Pat Barnard, whose military publishing business happened also to be located in the city of Bath. When offered the chance to become a full-time painter, Robert leapt at the opportunity. Within a few months of becoming a professional artist, he saw his first works in print. Roberts early career was devoted to maritime paintings, and he achieved early success with his prints of naval subjects, one of his admirers being Lord Louis Mountbatten. He exhibited successfully at the Royal Society of Marine Artists in London and soon his popularity attracted the attention of the media. Following a major feature on his work in a leading national daily newspaper he was invited to appear in a BBC Television programme. This led to a string of commissions for the Fleet Air Arm Museum who, understandably, wanted aircraft in their maritime paintings. It was the start of Roberts career as an aviation artist. Fascinated since childhood by the big, powerful machines that man has invented, switching from one type of hardware to another has never troubled him. Being an artist of the old school, Robert tackled the subject of painting aircraft with the same gusto as with his large, action-packed maritime pictures - big compositions supported by powerful and dramatic skies, painted on large canvases. It was a formula new to the aviation art genre, at the time not used to such sweeping canvases, but one that came naturally to an artist whose approach appeared to have origins in an earlier classical period. Roberts aviation paintings are instantly recognisable. He somehow manages to convey all the technical detail of aviation in a traditional and painterly style, reminiscent of the Old Masters. With uncanny ability, he is able to recreate scenes from the past with a carefully rehearsed realism that few other artists ever manage to achieve. This is partly due to his prodigious research but also his attention to detail: Not for him shiny new factory-fresh aircraft looking like museum specimens. His trade mark, flying machines that are battle-scarred, worse for wear, with dings down the fuselage, chips and dents along the leading edges of wings, oil stains trailing from engine cowlings, paintwork faded with dust and grime; his planes are real! Roberts aviation works have drawn crowds in the international arena since the early 1980s. He has exhibited throughout the US and Canada, Australia, Japan and in Europe. His one-man exhibition at the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC was hailed as the most popular art exhibition ever held there. His paintings hang in many of the worlds great aviation museums, adorn boardrooms, offices and homes, and his limited edition prints are avidly collected all around the world. A family man with strong Christian values, Robert devotes most of what little spare time he has to his home life. Married to Mary for thirty five years, they have five children, all now grown up. Neither fame nor fortune has turned his head. He is the same easy-going, gentle character he was when setting out on his painting career all those years ago, but now with a confidence that comes with the knowledge that he has mastered his profession. |
| | Battle of Britain Hurricane Signature Prints |
Save £180 on this specially selected pack of Battle of Britain Hurricane aviation art prints. All four prints for £420, giving collectors these prints at trade discounted prices!
This pack of aviation art prints includes 4 separate prints, at a highly discounted price when purchased in this special pack. The prints included in the pack are :
Merlin Roar by Anthony Saunders,
Hurricane Patrol by Graeme Lothian,
Holding the Line - The Battle of Britain by Nicolas Trudgian
and
Front Line Hurricanes by Robert Taylor.
In all, the prints have 12 different signatures of pilots and aircrew related to Hurricanes during the Battle of Britain.
In particular, Front Line Hurricanes by Robert Taylor features 6 signatures of now sadly deceased pilots - some of them a rarity in print signings.
Click the 'Special Offer Pack' Edition to order.
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