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Rudolf Opitz - Cranston-Military-Prints.com Aviation Art Store
Aviation Art Collecton - Rudolf Opitz





Died : 2010

Born in Landeshut, Germany in 1910, Rudolf Opitz joined a flying club in 1929 and began flying gliders. In 1934 he became an instructor at Germanys famous glider school at Wasserkuppe in the Rhoen Mountains. Later he joined the German Research Institute as a flight instructor for cargo gliders and airplanes. From 1936 to 1939 Rudy was involved as the test pilot for a research team working on flying wing designs. In 1939 he was drafted into the Luftwaffe, and in 1940 he flew his first combat mission as an assault glider pilot on a mission to capture and secure three strategic bridges over the Albert Canal. In 1941 Opitz was assigned to the German Rocket Research Center at Peenemuende. He was assigned as a test pilot to the Me-163A Komet. In 1942 Rudy would make the worlds first flight in a rocket powered fighter aircraft, the Me-163B. In 1944 he was assigned as Commander of the IIJG/400 Rocket Fighter Group. Rudy met Herman Goering once at an exclusive airshow for high ranking military and government officials. All the latest designs were displayed, and Goering stopped by each aircraft to personally speak with their pilots and crews. Rudy, as the Chief Test Pilot for the 163 program was a bit surprised when Goering asked him, Were you drafted to serve in the rocket fighter squadron or did you volunteer to fly this aircraft? On Rudys last flight in the 163, the fire warning light came on immediately after take off. Rudy began to jettison fuel, but the cockpit filled with burning fuel vapors. Rudy jettisoned the canopy and somehow managed to bring the 163 down in a meadow near the airfield. Despite being injured Rudy managed to get out of the burning aircraft before it exploded. During his recovery Rudy met a nurse, Hanna, who would become his wife after the war. Opitz moved to the U.S. following the War. He continued his career as a test pilot for the Aeronautical Research and Development Center at Wright Patterson AF13 in Ohio. He also worked with the gas turbine division of Avco Lycoming. For more than three decades Opitz served as a FAA pilot examiner for private commercial and flight- instructor certificates. In 1984 he was elected and certified as an Honorary Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. In 1994 he was elected into the United States Soaring Hall of Fame. Although 86-years young at the time of this writing, Rudy continues his life long enthusiasm for flight, and still works with aspiring young pilots at his local soaring club in Connecticut. The tremendous technological breakthroughs embodied in the Me-262 and Me-163 development programs accelerated the development of modem rocket and jet powered aircraft by compressing decades of normal development time into a few intense wartime years. Rudy Opitz and his fellow test pilots, many who gave their lives in the process, were critical to the successful development of these programs. Sadly, Rudolf Opitz passed away in May 2010.

Based on many years of experience in dealing with thousands of aviation signatures, we have estimated the value this signature adds to a print as £55


Clipped Signature - Rudolf Opitz.


Clipped Signature - Rudolf Opitz.

An experienced glider pilot before World War Two, he was drafted by the Luftwaffe as a test pilot in 1939, and in 1941 was working at he German Rocket Research Centre. He made the world's first flight in a rocket powered fighter in the Me163 Komet in 1942. Post war he moved to the United States and remained a test pilot. He died in 2010.

Please note that this particular signature has been written in pen - not in pencil like most of our signatures.
Item Code : CLP1187Clipped Signature - Rudolf Opitz. - Editions Available
FULL DETAILS
DESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASINGPACKS
Clipped Signature.
Great value : Value of signatures exceeds price of item!

Opitz, Rudolf

Died : 2010
Rudolf Opitz (deceased)
Born in Landeshut, Germany in 1910, Rudolf Opitz joined a flying club in 1929 and began flying gliders. In 1934 he became an instructor at Germanys famous glider school at Wasserkuppe in the Rhoen Mountains. Later he joined the German Research Institute as a flight instructor for cargo gliders and airplanes. From 1936 to 1939 Rudy was involved as the test pilot for a research team working on flying wing designs. In 1939 he was drafted into the Luftwaffe, and in 1940 he flew his first combat miss
Signature Value : £55
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
£10 Off!Now : £45.00

Quantity:



Herman's Comet by Stan Stokes.


Herman's Comet by Stan Stokes.

Hermann W. Goering was born in Rosenheim, a small town near Munich, in 1893. He received an appointment to a military school, and became a flyer during WW I. He attained an excellent combat and leadership record, and was the last individual to command the famed Richtofen Flying Circus. Following the War he studied history, married, but was drifting aimlessly until he met Adolf Hitler. When Hitler came to power Goering was made economic czar, and authorized to implement a four year plan which would prepare the German economy for war. Goerings greatest personal interest was in the Luftwaffe, and ultimately Field Marshal Goering was made Chief of the Luftwaffe. The Luftwaffe performed admirably in the blitzkrieg attacks on Poland and the Benelux countries. However, Goering feared Britains entry into the War, and personally worked diplomatic channels to keep Britain out of the conflict. The Luftwaffes first defeat was in the Battle of Britain, where it was unable to wrest control of the s.........


More Text...
Item Code : STK0116Herman's Comet by Stan Stokes. - Editions Available
FULL DETAILS
DESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASINGPACKS
Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Artist : Stan Stokes£15 Off!
Add any two items on this offer to your basket, and the lower priced item will be half price in the checkout!
Now : £35.00

Quantity:
225 prints from the signed limited edition of 4750 prints, with signature of Stan Stokes and pilot, and a remarque.Image size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm)
Opitz, Rudolf

Died : 2010
Rudolf Opitz (deceased)
Born in Landeshut, Germany in 1910, Rudolf Opitz joined a flying club in 1929 and began flying gliders. In 1934 he became an instructor at Germanys famous glider school at Wasserkuppe in the Rhoen Mountains. Later he joined the German Research Institute as a flight instructor for cargo gliders and airplanes. From 1936 to 1939 Rudy was involved as the test pilot for a research team working on flying wing designs. In 1939 he was drafted into the Luftwaffe, and in 1940 he flew his first combat miss
Signature Value : £55
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
+ Artist : Stan Stokes
£20 Off!Now : £130.00

Quantity:
In 1 Pair
View
Prints from the 225 prints from the signed limited edition of 4750 prints, with signature of Stan Stokes and pilot. Image size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm)
Opitz, Rudolf

Died : 2010
Rudolf Opitz (deceased)
Born in Landeshut, Germany in 1910, Rudolf Opitz joined a flying club in 1929 and began flying gliders. In 1934 he became an instructor at Germanys famous glider school at Wasserkuppe in the Rhoen Mountains. Later he joined the German Research Institute as a flight instructor for cargo gliders and airplanes. From 1936 to 1939 Rudy was involved as the test pilot for a research team working on flying wing designs. In 1939 he was drafted into the Luftwaffe, and in 1940 he flew his first combat miss
Signature Value : £55
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
+ Artist : Stan Stokes
£50 Off!Now : £95.00

Quantity:
Wollenweber signature edition of 25 prints from the edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm)
Wollenweber, Wolfgang
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Died : 2022
Oberleutnant Wolfgang Wollenweber (deceased)
After his flight training Wolfgang was transferred to JG5 in the Arctic where he flew the Me110 on escort missions over the North Atlantic, Murmansk and Russia, he was then awarded the Iron Cross First Class. After this he retrained on the Fw190 fighter aircraft and rocket fighter Me163. Wolfgang flew the Heinkel He162 as a Squadron Leader of the first jet fighter squadron. This revolutionary jet was demanding even for the most experienced pilots, many of them did not survive, but miraculously h
Signature Value : £55
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
+ Artist : Stan Stokes
£30 Off!
Add any two items on this offer to your basket, and the lower priced item will be half price in the checkout!
Now : £110.00

Quantity:
Prints from the 225 prints from the signed limited edition of 4750 prints, with signature of Stan Stokes and pilot. Image size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm)
Wollenweber, Wolfgang
NO
PHOTO
AVAILABLE

Died : 2022
Oberleutnant Wolfgang Wollenweber (deceased)
After his flight training Wolfgang was transferred to JG5 in the Arctic where he flew the Me110 on escort missions over the North Atlantic, Murmansk and Russia, he was then awarded the Iron Cross First Class. After this he retrained on the Fw190 fighter aircraft and rocket fighter Me163. Wolfgang flew the Heinkel He162 as a Squadron Leader of the first jet fighter squadron. This revolutionary jet was demanding even for the most experienced pilots, many of them did not survive, but miraculously h
Signature Value : £55
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
+ Artist : Stan Stokes
£60 Off!Now : £85.00

Quantity:


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