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Nicolas Trudgian range of German FW190 Fighter aircraft aviation
signed art prints. This site is dedicated to the artwork of Aviation
artist Nicolas Trudgian. Including the full range of Aviation prints
published by the Military Gallery which Cranston Fine Arts have purchased the
last remaining prints. Which include many rare items. many of Nicolas
Trudgian prints have been signed by Many of the Top Fighter and Bomber Pilots
of World war two over the pats Decade. and many of these great Pilots are no
longer with us. This could be the last chance to own a piece of history which
will soon be no longer available except on the more expensive secondary
market.
The
Focke-Wulf 190 development project began in 1937. Conceived as a hedge
against total dependence on the Messerchmitt 109, the 190 was designed
by Kurt Tank utilizing a radial engine. This was against generally
accepted design criteria in Germany, and many historians believe that
the decision to produce a radial engine fighter was largely due to the
limited manufacturing capacity for in-line, water-cooled engines which
were widely used on all other Luftwaffe aircraft. Despite these
concerns, Tanks design was brilliant, and the 190 would become one of
the top fighter aircraft of WW II. The first prototype flew in mid-1939.
The aircraft had excellent flying characteristics, a wonderful rate of
acceleration, and was heavily armed. By late 1940 the new fighter was
ordered into production. Nicknamed the butcher bird, by Luftwaffe
pilots, early 190s were quite successful in the bomber interceptor role,
but at this stage of the War many Allied bombing raids lacked fighter
escort. As the War dragged on, Allied bombers were increasingly
accompanied by fighters, including the very effective P-51 Mustang. The
Allies learned from experience that the 190s performance fell off
sharply at altitudes above 20,000 feet. As a result, most Allied bombing
missions were shifted to higher altitudes when fighter opposition was
likely. Kurt Tank had recognized this shortcoming and began working on a
high-altitude version of the 190 utilizing an in-line, water-cooled
engine. Utilizing a Jumo 12-cylinder engine rated at 1770-HP, and
capable of 2,240-HP for short bursts with its methanol injection system,
the 190D, or Long Nose or Dora as it was called, had a top speed of
426-MPH at 22,000 feet. Armament was improved with two fuselage and two
wing mounted 20mm cannon. To accommodate the changes in power plants the
Dora had a longer, more streamlined fuselage, with 24 inches added to
the nose, and an additional 19 inches added aft of the cockpit to
compensate for the altered center of gravity. By mid 1944 the Dora began
to reach fighter squadrons in quantity. Although the aircraft had all
the right attributes to serve admirably in the high altitude interceptor
role, it was not generally focused on such missions. Instead many 190Ds
were assigned to protect airfields where Me-262 jet fighters were based
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| Mountain Wolf by Nicolas Trudgian Set in a spectacular mountain scene, Nicolas Trudgians print records the last days of air combat as World War II drew to a close. The most feared of the Luftwaffes remaining units were those equipped with the remarkable Me262 fighter jet, but they were vulnerable to attack during take-off and landing. Commanding JV-44, General Galland countered the threat by employing Fw190 Dora 9s to fly top cover. Nicolas Trudgians painting depicts the colourful Fw190 of Hptm Waldermar Wubke of JV-44 as he prepared to scramble Red Three at Ainring airfield in may 1945. Signed limited edition of 450 prints. Paper size 19 inches x 25 inches (48cm x 64cm). Price £105.00 Signed by Major Heinz Lange and Major Hans-Ekkehard Bob.
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Paper size 19 inches x 25 inches (48cm x 64cm). Price £150.00 Signed by Major Heinz Lange and Major Hans-Ekkehard Bob.
Limited edition of 25 publishers proofs. Paper size 19 inches x 25 inches (48cm x 64cm) . Price £160.00 Signed by Major Heinz Lange and Major Hans-Ekkehard Bob. ITEM CODE DHM2431 |
| Operation Bodenplatte by Nicolas Trudgian. The success of Operation Bodenplatte, on January 1, 1945, was to be achieved by mass surprise attacks on British and American bases in France, Belgium and Holland. It was a battle fought at great cost to the Luftwaffe. During the battles some 300 Luftwaffe aircraft were lost. Though 200 Allied aircraft were destroyed, most on the ground, pilot losses were light. Nicolas Trudgians brilliant painting takes us right into the action above the Allied air base at Eindhoven. Me262 jets join a concentration of Me109s and Fw190s of JG-3 fighter wing, as they hurtle across the airfield in an assault that lasted 23 minutes, while Spitfires from 414 Sqn RCAF do their best to repel the attack. On the ground Typhoon fighters of 439 Sqn take a hammering. Limited edition of 800 prints. Paper size 35 inches x 23 inches (89cm x 58cm). Price £140.00 Signed by Leutnant Helmut Ballewski, Oberstleutnant Helmut Bennemann, Oberfeldwebel Werner Hohenberg, General Walter Krupinski.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Paper size 35 inches x 23 inches (89cm x 58cm). Price £195.00 Signed by Leutnant Helmut Ballewski, Oberstleutnant Helmut Bennemann, Oberfeldwebel Werner Hohenberg, General Walter Krupinski.
Limited edition of 50 publishers proofs. Paper size 35 inches x 23 inches (89cm x 58cm). Price £180.00 Signed by Leutnant Helmut Ballewski, Oberstleutnant Helmut Bennemann, Oberfeldwebel Werner Hohenberg, General Walter Krupinski. ITEM CODE DHM2028 |
| Ice Warriors by Nicolas Trudgian. The Green Heart Warriors carried their famous emblem throughout almost every European theatre during World War Two. Having fought with distinction in the Battle of Britain, JG54 transferred to the Eastern Front, where it was to acheive historic success. Becoming one of the most successful combat wings of the war, JG54 spawned a succession of top fighter Aces, no fewer than 20 achieving more than 100 air victories, its pilots collecting an impressive 58 Knights Cross awards. Flying both Fw190s and Me109s, JG54 took part in the heavy air fighting in the northern region of the Russian Front, where conditions were not for the faint hearted and demanded exceptional piloting skills. One young Austrian pilot, Walter Nowotny, won a reputation even among Allied pilots, and during the summer of 1943 became a virtual one-man air force in the skies above the Eastern Front. In June 1943 he shot down 41 aircraft, 10 in one day. In August he collected a further 43 air victories, and another 45 the following month. In a dgo-fight in October Nowotny shot down a P-40 fighter to record an astounding 250 air victories, becoming the first fighter pilot in history to acheive this score. It is February 1943, the countryside deep in snow, and the temperature well below freezing as Leutnant Walter Nowotny, Staffelkapitän of 1./JG54, taxis White One out from a crowded dispersal on to the snow covered runway at Krasnogvardeisk. With their temporary whitewash colour scheme glinting in the early morning sunlight, the FW190A-4s pose a menacing spectacle as they line up to follow the fighters of 2./JG54, already airborne, into the cold morning air. Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 30 inches x 16 inches (76cm x 41cm). Price £140.00 Signed by Major Hans-Ekkehard Bob, Leutnant Hugo Broch and Major Eric Rudorffer.
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Image size 30 inches x 16 inches (76cm x 41cm). Price £200.00 Signed by Major Hans-Ekkehard Bob, Leutnant Hugo Broch and Major Eric Rudorffer.
Limited edition of publishers proofs. Image size 30 inches x 16 inches (76cm x 41cm). Price £190.00 Signed by Major Hans-Ekkehard Bob, Leutnant Hugo Broch and Major Eric Rudorffer.
Nicolas Trudgian Promotional Flyer. A4 Size Double Sheet 11.5 inches x 8 inches (30m x 21cm) . Price £1.50 ITEM CODE NT0239 |
| Green Heart Warriors by Nicolas Trudgian. (B) In the summer of 1940, as a 28 year old captain, Hannes Trautloft took command of JG 54. During the next three years this extraordinary fighter leader shaped the unit into one of the most successful combat fighter wings of World War II. The Green Heart emblem of his home town Thuringischen, in the heart of Germany, became the Groups symbol and the fighter pilots famous as Trautlofts Green Heart Warriors. They carried their reputation throughout almost every European theatre. After campaigning in the Balkans, the unit moved to the Russian Front, where it flew Me109s and Fw190s in the heavy fighting of the Northern Region. By the war-end no fewer than twenty Green Heart Aces had achieved more than 100 air victories, its pilots collecting 58 Knights Cross awards.
Nicolas Trudgian portrays a typical scene on the Eastern Front in 1943: IL 2 Stormoviks have attacked a German armoured division who have called for air support. JG 54 Green Hearts have quickly scrambled to the scene and have broken up the attack, downing several Russian aircraft during the encounter. In the foreground, Hannes Trautlofts Fw190 hurtles out of the canvas towards us, as the Ace glances over his shoulder to see an unfortunate IL-2 moments before hitting the snow-covered landscape a few feet below. Behind, two more Fw190s give support while in the background the low-level aerial contest is furiously fought. The drama unfolds in an exquisitely painted landscape, the northern morning sun casting long shadows across the snow drifts. Limited edition of 75 publishers proofs. Paper size 32 inches x 25 inches (81cm x 64cm). Price £410.00 Signed by Hannes Trautloft, Franz Eisenach, Dieter Hrabak, Leutnant Hugo Broch and Major Hans-Ekkehard Bob. ITEM CODE DHM2666 |
| Timber Wolf by Nicolas Trudgian. Leutnant Klaus Bretschneider, Staffelkapitan of 5./JG300 kicks up the dust as he taxies his Fw190 A-8 Red One from its forest hiding place into the sunlight in preparation for take-off. The scene is northern Germany, November 1944. The Staffelkapitan will lead his 190s in a massed sturm intercept upon incoming American bombers. With Allied fighters dominating the skies, Luftwaffe fighter units took desperate measures to conceal their whereabouts. Commonplace were these hurriedly prepared strips, often near dense forests. Signed limited edition of 450 prints. Paper size 19 inches x 25 inches (48cm x 64cm). Price £105.00 Signed by Oberst Hajo Hermann and Oberfeldwebel Willi Reschke, in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Paper size 19 inches x 25 inches (48cm x 64cm). Price £150.00 Signed by Oberst Hajo Hermann and Oberfeldwebel Willi Reschke, in addition to the artist. ITEM CODE DHM2432 |
| Twilight Conquest by Nicolas Trudgian. The Black Widow is a formidable creature. It lurks in the dark, carefully chooses its moment of attack and strikes unseen, cutting down its prey with deadly certainty. Northrop could not have chosen a more apt name with which to christen their new night fighter when the P61 Black Widow entered service in the spring of 1944. The first aircraft designed from the start as a night fighter, the P61 had the distinction of pioneering airborne radar interception during World War II, and this remarkable twin engined fighter saw service in the ETO, in China, the Marianas and the South West Pacific. Under the command of Lt Col O B Johnson, one of the P61s greatest exponents, the 422nd Night Fighter Squadron was the leading P61 outfit in the ETO, destroying 43 enemy aircraft in the air, 5 buzz bombs and hundreds of ground based vehicles, becoming the most successful night fighter squadron of the war. Flying a twilight mission in his P-61 Black Widow on October 24, 1944, Colonel Johnson and his radar operator have picked up a formation of three Fw190s, stealthily closing on their quarry in the gathering dusk, O.B. makes one quick and decisive strike, bringing down the enemy leader with two short bursts of fire. Banking hard, as the Fw190 pilot prepares to bale out, he brings his blazing guns to bear on a second Fw190, the tracer lighting up the fuselage of his P-61. Limited edition of 600 prints. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm). Price £145.00 Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Herman Ernst, Major Robert Graham, Major General Oris B Johnson and First Lieutenant Bob Tierney, in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm). Price £200.00 Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Herman Ernst, Major Robert Graham, Major General Oris B Johnson and First Lieutenant Bob Tierney, in addition to the artist. ITEM CODE DHM2036 |
| Winter Wolves by Nicolas Trudgian. On December 16th 1944, Hitler mounted the largest offensive in the west since 1940. It was his last desperate offensive of World War II. With Germanys industrial heartland in ruins, its factories pulverised by Allied air raids, and opposing armies advancing on two fronts, the Third Reich appeared on the verge of collapse. The sudden and fierce reposte caught the Allied forces by surprise, forcibly demonstrating Germanys ability and will to continue the war. It was the Fuhrers last great gamble, and when American and British forces recovered to smash the brutal offensive, Hitler had spent the last energies of his crumbling empire. That final, desperate assault became known as the Battle of the Bulge. At dawn on December 26th, pilots of the 1st and 4h Staffels of 1./Gruppe JG26 took off to provide cover for the forward Panzer divisions, which were coming under attack from P51 ground attack fighters. Although flying brand new Focke-Wulf Fw190Ds, on take off they immediately lost contact with their controllers, forcing the Gruppe to adopt Free Hunt tactics. It made no difference, they quickly found the opposition! This painting captures the Fw190s of JG26 at full tilt, as they power across the spectacular winter landscape in the Ardennes. Flying at tree top height to avoid radar detection, the Luftwaffe pilots hurtle above German tanks and trucks lumbering towards the battlefront. The early morning glow glistens in the crisp morning snow bringing an air of serenity to a poignant and historic scene. Signed limited edition of 600 prints. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (85cm x 61cm). Price £ Signed by General Walter Krupinski, Major Gerhard Schopfel and Oberst Eberhard Stephan.
Signed limited edition of 60 artists proofs. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (85cm x 61cm). Price £ Signed by General Walter Krupinski, Major Gerhard Schopfel and Oberst Eberhard Stephan.
Signed limited edition of 50 remarques. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (85cm x 61cm). Price £ Signed by General Walter Krupinski, Major Gerhard Schopfel and Oberst Eberhard Stephan.
Nicolas Trudgian Promotional Flyer. Half A4 Size Double Sheet 6 inches x 8 inches (15m x 21cm). Price £1.50 ITEM CODE DHM1643 |
| Storm Chasers by Nicolas Trudgian. Even the most faithful of Messerschmitt Me 109 pilots that also flew the Focke-Wulf Fw190 grudgingly admitted the well-proportioned and aesthetically pleasing Fw190 was the finest single-seat fighter in the Luftwaffes armoury during World War II. Soon after its arrival on the Channel Front in 1941, when initial bugs were ironed out, this superb fighter came close to fighter design perfection by the standards of the day. Just as the Mk IX Spitfire held the mantle as Britains most outstanding combat fighter of the war, so was the Fw190 regarded by experienced Luftwaffe pilots. Within months of its operational debut the Fw190 was causing widespread consternation among RAF pilots, the new fighter equal to the Mk IX Spitfire in all but its ability in the tightest of turning circles. By 1944 the technically superb Fw190 came into its own in the great air battles against the USAAFs massed daylight raids. The defence of the Reichs western airspace rested on the shoulders of a few Jagdgschwarden who, against steadily increasing odds, were tasked with interception and destruction of the attacking American heavy bombers. Flying alongside the two established Channel fighter wings JG2 Richthofen and JG26 Schlageter, equipped with Fw190s and led by the great fighter ace Oberst Walter Oesau, JG1 joined the battle in defence of northern Germany. Nicolas Trudgians painting Storm Chasers depicts the Fw190As of I./JG1, distinguished by their distinctive black and white striped cowls, scrambling from the snow-covered Dortmund airfield on 10 February 1944 to intercept another inbound American daylight raid. Nicks dramatic view of this technically supreme fighter conveys its true class as it hurtles over the airfield, its undercarriage retracting as the Fw190 accelerates into the climb. Below, sharing the airfield with I./JGI, are the Fw190s of the newly formed Sturmstaffel 1, identified by their black-white-black tail bands, seen taxiing out to join in the interception. Despite bad weather conditions the Luftwaffes defending fighters scored heavily that day, inflicting severe losses on the Americans, claiming 29 bombers and 8 fighters shot down in the action. Signed limited edition of 525 prints, with 4 signatures. Paper size 29 inches x 16 inches (73cm x 41cm). Price £150.00 Signed by Leutnant Hugo Broch, Unteroffizier Gustav Drees, Oberfeldwebel Willi Reschke and Oberleutnant Ernst Scheufele.
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Paper size 29 inches x 16 inches (73cm x 41cm). Price £230.00 Signed by Leutnant Hugo Broch, Unteroffizier Gustav Drees, Oberfeldwebel Willi Reschke and Oberleutnant Ernst Scheufele.
Nicolas Trudgian Promotional Flyer. A4 Size Double Sheet 11.5 inches x 8 inches (30m x 21cm) . Price £1.50 ITEM CODE DHM2658 |
| Winter Combat by Nicolas Trudgian. Hannes Trautloft in his FW190 leading his famous JG54 bring down a Russian Petlyakov Pe-2 on the Eastern Front in 1943. This dramatic painting is set in a superb winter landscape. Signed limited edition of 250 prints, supplied double matted. Paper size 18 inches x 12 inches (46cm x 31cm). Price £210.00 Features mounted original signature of Hannes Trautloft.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs, supplied double matted. Paper size 18 inches x 12 inches (46cm x 31cm). Price £320.00 Features mounted original signature of Hannes Trauloft.
Limited edition of 50 publishers proofs, supplied double matted. Paper size 18 inches x 12 inches (46cm x 31cm). Price £260.00 Features mounted original signature of Hannes Trautloft. ITEM CODE DHM2456 |
| Day of the Fighters by Nicolas Trudgian. The pilots of I Gruppe JG-1 were up early on August 17, 1943. It5 was high summer, and even as the first streaks of light appeared in the sky to the east, four pilots got airborne out of Deelan, Holland, and headed for the coast. It was the first routine reconnaissance of the morning. By 0730 German listening services were picking up signals indicating large formations of enemy aircraft assembling to the west of Great Yarmouth, South East England. By 0800 it was clear to the German interceptor fighter groups stationed in Holland that this was going to be no ordinary day. Shortly after 0930 the first wave of a force of some 375 B-17s and B-24s, heavily escorted by fighters, started crossing the Dutch coast south of the Scheldt estuary, their destination Schweinfurt and Regensburg. They were shadowed by the German fighters of 1, 2 & 3 Gruppe along their entire route over Europe. When the Allied fighter escort turned back at the limit of their range, the Luftwaffe fighters made their attack. It was the start of a day of incessant aerial combat which raged all the way across Holland, Belgium and Germany, and all the way back to the coast again as the Americans returned to England. It was one of the longest air-to-air battles of the war and became known by the Luftwaffe pilots as the Day of the Fighters. Signed limited edition of 1000 prints. Paper size 35 inches x 24.5 inches (89cm x 63cm). Price £ Signed by Major Gerhard Schopfel, Hauptmann Alfred Grislawski and Oberleutnant Adolf Glunz.
Limited edition of 75 publishers proofs. Paper size 35 inches x 24.5 inches (88cm x 62cm). Price £330.00 Signed by Oberleutnant Adolf Glunz, Hauptmann Alfred Grislawski and Major Gerhard Schopfel. ITEM CODE DHM2661 |
| Ardennes Offensive by Nicolas Trudgian. As 1944 drew to a close, Hitler made his final gamble of the war, mounting a massive strike force aimed at splitting the Allies forces advancing upon Germany. His armour, supported from the air, would rip through the Ardennes to Antwerp, capture the Allied fuel supplies, and cut off all the opposing forces to the north. Hitlers commanders were dubious of the outcome but nevertheless obeyed orders, and the operation was launched on 16th December. Allied intelligence had discounted any German counter-offensive and the initial wave, comprising 8 Panzer divisions, took the Allied forces completely by surprise. A parachute drop of English-speaking German soldiers in American uniforms behind the assault zone added to the confusion. Advancing some 30 miles, and almost in sight of the River Meuse, by 26th December the SS Panzers had ground to a halt with empty fuel tanks, and were at the mercy of Allied counter-attacks. By 16th January the German penetration was repulsed and Hitlers beloved Panzer units retreated in tatters. The Fuhrers last gamble had failed. Fw190s of JG1 provide close support to the 9th SS Panzer Division, as they spearhead Germanys final major offensive of World War II. Seen advancing on the 82nd Airborne Division, the King Tiger tanks, with the aid of Luftwaffe ground-attack fighters, drive the Americans back through the snowy fields of the Ardennes on Christmas Day, 1944. It was the last, short-lived and ultimately unsuccessful advance made by the German forces during World War II. Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Paper size 18 inches x 12 inches (46cm x 31cm). Price £155.00 Signed by Oberstleutnant Helmut Bennemann, Oberstleutnant Hans Lutz, Leutnant Siegfried Muller and Oberst Eberhard Stephan.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Paper size 18 inches x 12 inches (46cm x 31cm). Price £230.00 Signed by Oberstleutnant Helmut Bennemann, Oberstleutnant Hans Lutz, Leutnant Siegfried Muller, Oberst Eberhard Stephan and Oberst Herbert Ihlefeld.
Limited edition of 75 publishers proofs. Paper size 18 inches x 12 inches (46cm x 31cm). Price £200.00 Signed by Oberstleutnant Helmut Bennemann, Oberstleutnant Hans Lutz, Leutnant Siegfried Muller, Oberst Eberhard Stephan and Oberst Herbert Ihlefeld.
Nicolas Trudgian Promotional Flyer. A4 Size Double Sheet 11.5 inches x 8 inches (30m x 21cm) . Price £1.50 ITEM CODE DHM2466 |
| Snow Warriors by Nicolas Trudgian. Nicolas Trudgian has painted an exquisitely detailed portrayal of I./JG54 Green Heart Warriors FW190A-4s taxiing out through the snow to sweep the skies above Krasnogvardeisk on the Russian Front in the winter of 1943. Signed limited edition of 300 prints. Paper size 24 inches x 20 inches (61cm x 51cm). Price £75.00 Signed by Major Erich Rudorffer.
Limited edition of 30 remarques. Paper size 24 inches x 20 inches (61cm x 51cm). Price £220.00 Signed by Major Erich Rudorffer.
Limited edition of 20 giclee canvas prints. Size 24 inches x 20 inches (61cm x 51cm). Price £325.00 ITEM CODE DHM2647 |
| First Strike on Berlin by Nicolas Trudgian. The first successful daylight raid on Berlin. Nicolas Trudgians painting relives the fearsome aerial combat on March 6, 1944, as B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 100th B.G. are attacked. Screaming in head-on, Fw190s of II./JG I charge into the bomber stream. With throttles wide open, 56th Fighter Group P-47 Thunderbolts come hurtling down to intercept. B-17 gunners are working overtime, the air is full of cordite, smoke, jagged pieces of flying metal and hot lead. We are in the midst of one of the fiercest aerial battles of the war. Signed limited edition of 600 prints. Paper size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm). Price £165.00 Signed by Colonel Morton Magoffin, Captain C B Red Harper and First Lieutenant Ed McKay, in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of 60 artist proofs. Paper size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm). Price £220.00 Signed by Colonel Morton Magoffin, Captain C B Red Harper and First Lieutenant Ed McKay, in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of publishers proofs. Paper size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm). Price £210.00 Signed by Colonel Morton Magoffin, Captain C B Red Harper and First Lieutenant Ed McKay, in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of 60 artist special reserve prints, signed by the artist only. Paper size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm). Price £115.00 ITEM CODE DHM2057 |
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