Price range: £95.00 through £165.00
Summer 1940: It’s been another rough day for the seasoned pilots of JG-26 Schlageter. Once again they have flown out of their base at Abbeville in northern France to escort the massed bombers of the Luftwaffe against the RAF’s fighter airfields of southern England; and once again they have been locked in combat with the Spitfires and Hurricanes of RAF Fighter Command.
The Battle of Britain is reaching its climax and, for the first time, the Luftwaffe tastes defeat.
This compelling piece brings to life a typical cameo from those long and arduous aerial contests; a Me109 from JG-26 has taken a hit during the fighting, the engine is overheating, and beginning to trail smoke. But the Squadron Commander, the legendary Adolf Galland, closes in to escort the stricken fighter back across the Channel.
The Signatures
Each print in every edition has been hand numbered and signed by the artists along with two Luftwaffe Knight’s Cross holders who fought in the Battle of Britain:
Willy Messerschmitt designed the Bf 109 as a high-performance interceptor during the mid-1930s. It featured an advanced all-metal monocoque construction and retractable landing gear. Specifically, the Bf 109 served as the primary single-seat fighter for Germany throughout the war. This legendary aircraft is a key feature of our Heritage Collection and a superb limited edition print. It offers a stunning visual record of the air war over Europe. In addition, you can find a comprehensive timeline of these events at the official RAF Museum.
This compelling limited edition print brings to life a dramatic scene from the summer of 1940. It depicts the seasoned pilots of JG-26 “Schlageter” operating out of Abbeville in northern France. Indeed, the artwork shows a Bf 109 that has taken a hit during a fierce dogfight. Its engine is overheating and trailing smoke over the English Channel. Fortunately, the legendary Adolf Galland closes in to escort his comrade back to safety. Every limited edition print in this series captures the tension of these arduous aerial contests.
The Bf 109 first saw operational service in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. Despite its age, the aircraft remained competitive until the very end of 1945. Consequently, it became the most produced fighter aircraft in history with over 34,000 units built. Furthermore, it served as the mount for the three top-scoring fighter aces of all time. Erich Hartmann famously claimed 352 victories while flying this machine. Because of its incredible service record, it remains a favorite subject for collectors of any limited edition print.
Each limited edition print in this collection features hand-signed autographs from two Luftwaffe legends. Notably, Generalleutnant Günther Rall, the third highest-scoring ace in history, has signed this edition. Moreover, the print carries the signature of Major Hans-Ekkehard Bob. Both men were Knight’s Cross holders who fought during the Battle of Britain. As a result, this artwork is more than just a decoration. It is a historical document signed by the men who actually lived through these historic events.
The Bf 109 was a close match for the Spitfire in terms of speed and performance. Finally, its inverted-V12 engine provided excellent power for vertical maneuvers. This limited edition print serves as a permanent tribute to the engineering quality of the aircraft. In fact, the Bf 109 production included many variants for day and night fighting. Therefore, securing a piece from our heritage gallery preserves the legacy of the most famous adversary to ever face the RAF. Shop our collection today to own a definitive piece of aviation history.
| Dimensions | 67.31 × 50.16 cm |
|---|---|
| Print Type | Signed and Numbered, Artists Proof |
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.