£95.00
In a desperate attempt to save what remained of the once-proud, now ruined city of Berlin, the remnants of the Luftwaffe’s beleaguered night-fighter units fought boldly till the end. Short on fuel, spares and ammunition, the pilots of NJG11 faced the impossible task of protecting the shattered capital from the far-reaching arm of the RAF Bomber Command.
As the climax of the inevitable defeat approaches, Leutnant Jorg Cypionka of 10./NJG11 engages a powerful incoming force of fast, high-flying RAF Mosquitos from 139 (Jamaica) Squadron (PFF) in one of his unit’s few remaining Me262A jets. The Mosquito crews, however, know the dangers of these hotly contested skies over Berlin only too well. From the night of 20/21 February the aircraft of 139 Squadron will run the deadly gauntlet of flak and night-fighters on 36 consecutive night attacks on the city.
Anthony Saunders’ powerful painting depicts this legendary endgame as adversaries engage in deadly duels over Berlin.
The Signatures
Each print in every edition has been hand numbered and personally signed by the artist and two highly respected RAF Mosquito aircrew who flew over Berlin along with one of the Luftwaffe’s most prominent Me262 night-fighter pilots:
The Messerschmitt Me 262 stands as the first operational jet-powered fighter in history. Nicknamed the Schwalbe (Swallow), it featured advanced technology that surpassed any contemporary Allied aircraft. Specifically, its twin Junkers Jumo 004 engines allowed it to outpace the British Gloster Meteor. This pioneering jet limited edition print is part of our Heritage Collection. In addition, you can explore more about its technical design and development via a document on the RAF/MOD Website.
This powerful limited edition print by Anthony Saunders depicts the desperate “endgame” over Berlin in 1945. Indeed, the artwork portrays Leutnant Jorg Cypionka of 10./NJG11 as he pilots his Me 262A jet through the night skies. He is intercepting a high-flying force of RAF Mosquitos from 139 (Jamaica) Squadron. Every limited edition print in this edition captures the deadly duels between these two legendary adversaries over the shattered German capital.
The Me 262 operated in various roles, including light bomber, reconnaissance, and experimental night fighter. Despite its superior speed and firepower, progress was slow due to metallurgy problems and interference from German leadership. Consequently, the aircraft only became fully operational in mid-1944. Furthermore, strategic material shortages led to frequent reliability issues with the turbojet engines. Because fuel supplies were also dwindling, the Luftwaffe struggled to maintain combat readiness during the final months of the war.
To ensure historical importance, three highly respected veterans have hand-signed each limited edition print. Notably, the signatures include Leutnant Jorg Cypionka, the prominent Me 262 night-fighter pilot featured in the painting. Moreover, the print carries the autographs of RAF Mosquito aircrew Flying Officer Mike Bayon DFC and Flight Lieutenant George Cash DFC. These men flew the deadly gauntlet of flak and night-fighters on consecutive attacks over Berlin. As a result, this collection offers a rare and tangible link to the final air battles of World War II.
This release commemorates the bold efforts of beleaguered units fighting in a ruined city. Finally, the Me 262’s legacy is defined by its role as the only jet to see air-to-air combat in the conflict. This limited edition print serves as a permanent record of the “Night Hunters” who faced impossible odds. In fact, the RAF Mosquitos of 139 Squadron were among the few aircraft capable of challenging the Me 262’s dominance. Therefore, shop our collection today to secure this historic masterpiece for your personal gallery.
| Dimensions | 67.3 × 49.8 cm |
|---|---|
| Print Type | Signed and Numbered |
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