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Early Risers by David Pentland. - Cranston Military Prints

Early Risers by David Pentland.


Early Risers by David Pentland.

Gramatikovo, Russia, 19th March 1944. Oberleutnant Walter Wolfrum (Black 15) and wingman of 5 Staffel JG52 take off on a dawn patrol. By the end of the day Oberleutnant Wolfrum would have accounted for 5 Soviet aircraft.
Item Code : DP0163PEarly Risers by David Pentland. - Editions Available
DESCRIPTIONSIZESIGNATURESOFFERSPRICEPURCHASINGPACKS
Limited edition of 30 giclee art prints. Image size 12 inches x 8 inches (31cm x 21cm)
Erker, Walter
Died : 2015
Obergefreiter Walter Erker (deceased)
Joining the Luftwaffe towards the end of the war, he was posted to II./JG103 on the Baltic coast of northern Germany. Here he flew Bf109s with the 5th Staffel but, on 20 October 1944 a fellow pilot collided with him in mid-air at around 700 feet. Although he just managed to bale out he was severely injured and spent the remainder of the War recovering. He died on 22nd October 2015.
Signature Value : £40
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
+ Artist : David Pentland


Signature(s) value alone : £40
£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 : £65.00

Quantity:
Limited edition of 20 artist proofs. Image size 12 inches x 8 inches (31cm x 21cm)
Erker, Walter
Died : 2015
Obergefreiter Walter Erker (deceased)
Joining the Luftwaffe towards the end of the war, he was posted to II./JG103 on the Baltic coast of northern Germany. Here he flew Bf109s with the 5th Staffel but, on 20 October 1944 a fellow pilot collided with him in mid-air at around 700 feet. Although he just managed to bale out he was severely injured and spent the remainder of the War recovering. He died on 22nd October 2015.
Signature Value : £40
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Radlauer, Heinz

Feldwebel Heinz Radlauer
Heinz Radlauer learnt to fly gliders in 1940, aged 17, and joined the Luftwaffe in August 1941. After Fighter School, in June 1944 he was posted to join JG51 Molders then fighting on the Eastern Front near Minsk, scoring his first victory in October of that year. Heinz Radlauer fleew the Bf109G, the Fw190A, and at the end of the war the Fw190D, by which time he had notched up over 100 combat missions, flying his last combat mission on 30th April 1945. Credited with 15 air victories, all on th
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

+ Artist : David Pentland


Signature(s) value alone : £85
£20 Off!
Add any two items on this offer to your basket, and the lower priced item will be half price in the checkout!
Now : £85.00

Quantity:
Signature edition of 2 prints. Image size 12 inches x 8 inches (31cm x 20cm)
Wolfrum, Walter (clipped)

Died : 2010
Walter Wolfrum (deceased)
Walter Wolfrum first saw combat in the Crimea with 5/JG52. He was shot down three times, and wounded twice before scoring his first victory. With his score at 70 he was again wounded, but returned to take command of 1/JG52 in May 1944, taking part in the fiercely fought defence of the Ploesti oilfields. he was again wounded, but returned to command 1/JG52 until the end of the war. he had flown 423 missions, achieved 137 victories, and was awarded the Knights Cross. Sadly, Walter Wolfrum pas
Signature Value : £60
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Hartmann, Erich (clipped)

Died : 1993
Oberst Erich Hartmann (deceased)
Erich Hartmann started his career as Paule Rossmans wingman, and it was obvious that here was a very special pilot. Promoted Staffelkapitan of 7/JG52 in July 1943, he was shot down and taken prisoner for four hours before escaping. In September he took over 9/JG52. In March 1944 he reached the 200 victory mark. He later le 4/JG52, then briefly I/JG52, and lastly Gruppenkommandeur of I/JG52. Hartmann scored a total of 352 victories, more than any other pilot in history, and was awarded the K
Signature Value : £95
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Graf, Hermann (clipped)

Died : 1988
Hermann Graf (deceased)
Hermann Graf, born in October 1912, trained to be a pilot from 1936, and in the summer of 1939 joined 2./JG51. With 9./JG52, Graf was transferred around several European stations, including Greece and Romania, eventually transferring to the Ukraine in August 1941. Claiming his first victory in August 1941, by early 1942 he had scored 45 victories, earning him the Knights Cross on 24th January 1942. Rapidly adding to his victories on the eastern front, Hermann Graf became the first pilot to sc
Signature Value : £70
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Steinhoff, Johannes (clipped)

Died : 1994
General Johannes Steinhoff (deceased)
By early 1940 Macky Steinhoff was leading 4 / JG-52 during the Battle of Britain. He was then transferred to the eastern front where his success continued. In the final stages of the defence of the Reich he joined JV-44 flying the ME 262 in which he scored 6 victories before being seriously burned in a crash. He flew 939 missions scored 178 victories and was awarded the Knights Cross with Oak leaves and swords.
Signature Value : £80
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Ebhardt, Rolf
Died : 2013
Oberleutnant Rolf Ebhardt (deceased)
Joined Luftwaffe in December 1941 and began flight training at Dresden in February 1942. Joined NJG 101 in December 1942 (night training unit) where he completed his specialist training. (In training flew Ju52, He111, Ju88, Do217 and Me109) As a newly promoted Leutnant he joined III/NJG 1 in Holland on 1st November 1943 and achieved his first night time victory on 26 April 1944. By the time of his eighth and last victory on 5 January 1945 he had flown 82 operations and been awarded the Iron Cros
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Radlauer, Heinz

Feldwebel Heinz Radlauer
Heinz Radlauer learnt to fly gliders in 1940, aged 17, and joined the Luftwaffe in August 1941. After Fighter School, in June 1944 he was posted to join JG51 Molders then fighting on the Eastern Front near Minsk, scoring his first victory in October of that year. Heinz Radlauer fleew the Bf109G, the Fw190A, and at the end of the war the Fw190D, by which time he had notched up over 100 combat missions, flying his last combat mission on 30th April 1945. Credited with 15 air victories, all on th
Signature Value : £45
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE

Bennemann, Helmut (clipped)

Died : 2007
Oberstleutnant Helmut Bennemann (deceased)
Helmut Bennemann was born 16th March 1915. During the Battle of Britain Helmut Bennemann was Gruppenadjutant with I./JG52 on the Channel Front. In April 1942 he was Staffelkapitan of 3./JG52 in the east and was appointed Kommandeur of I./JG52 from June 1942 until October 1943. Posted to Italy in November 1943, he was promoted to Kommodore of JG53 (Ace of Spades) in this theatre and in the defence of Germany. He commanded JG53 on Operation Bodenplatte. Helmut Bennemann flew over 400 missions
Signature Value : £65
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
+ Artist : David Pentland


Signature(s) value alone : £460
£480.00

Quantity:
Original pencil drawing by David Pentland. Paper size 17 inches x 12 inches (43cm x 31cm)
Wolfrum, Walter

Died : 2010
Walter Wolfrum (deceased)
Walter Wolfrum first saw combat in the Crimea with 5/JG52. He was shot down three times, and wounded twice before scoring his first victory. With his score at 70 he was again wounded, but returned to take command of 1/JG52 in May 1944, taking part in the fiercely fought defence of the Ploesti oilfields. he was again wounded, but returned to command 1/JG52 until the end of the war. he had flown 423 missions, achieved 137 victories, and was awarded the Knights Cross. Sadly, Walter Wolfrum pas
Signature Value : £60
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Hartmann, Erich (clipped)

Died : 1993
Oberst Erich Hartmann (deceased)
Erich Hartmann started his career as Paule Rossmans wingman, and it was obvious that here was a very special pilot. Promoted Staffelkapitan of 7/JG52 in July 1943, he was shot down and taken prisoner for four hours before escaping. In September he took over 9/JG52. In March 1944 he reached the 200 victory mark. He later le 4/JG52, then briefly I/JG52, and lastly Gruppenkommandeur of I/JG52. Hartmann scored a total of 352 victories, more than any other pilot in history, and was awarded the K
Signature Value : £95
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Graf, Hermann (clipped)

Died : 1988
Hermann Graf (deceased)
Hermann Graf, born in October 1912, trained to be a pilot from 1936, and in the summer of 1939 joined 2./JG51. With 9./JG52, Graf was transferred around several European stations, including Greece and Romania, eventually transferring to the Ukraine in August 1941. Claiming his first victory in August 1941, by early 1942 he had scored 45 victories, earning him the Knights Cross on 24th January 1942. Rapidly adding to his victories on the eastern front, Hermann Graf became the first pilot to sc
Signature Value : £70
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
Steinhoff, Johannes (clipped)

Died : 1994
General Johannes Steinhoff (deceased)
By early 1940 Macky Steinhoff was leading 4 / JG-52 during the Battle of Britain. He was then transferred to the eastern front where his success continued. In the final stages of the defence of the Reich he joined JV-44 flying the ME 262 in which he scored 6 victories before being seriously burned in a crash. He flew 939 missions scored 178 victories and was awarded the Knights Cross with Oak leaves and swords.
Signature Value : £80
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PROFILE
 
+ Artist : David Pentland


Signature(s) value alone : £305
Add any two items on this offer to your basket, and the lower priced item will be half price in the checkout!£700.00

Quantity:


Some other related items available from this site.

 There were tens of thousands of aerial combat encounters during World War II. One of the most unusual was a dogfight that took place between Captain Arthur C. Fiedler, Jr. and an unidentified German Bf-109 pilot on June 28, 1944. Fiedler was an Illinois native who received his wings in July 1943. He was assigned as a flight instructor in Dover, Delaware, but in May 1944 he was assigned to the 317th Fighter Squadron of the 325th Fighter Group. Flying P-51B Mustangs the 317th was based in Lesina, Italy. Fiedler named his Mustang after his wife Helen. On a combat mission on June 24th Fiedler claimed a probable. Four days later the eventual ace was flying near Polesti, Rumania when a Bf-109 crossed directly in front of his aircraft. Slamming his P-51 into a near vertical bank he trailed the 109 for a few seconds attaining several hits before his guns jammed. As Fiedler rolled out of his bank he found himself flying in formation parallel to the 109, and headed towards Russia. Fiedler was not willing to make himself a target for the 109, and with his Mustang low on fuel and with jammed guns, Fiedler reactively drew his service revolver. As he drew his .45 pistol, the German pilot unexpectedly jettisoned his canopy and bailed out. Fiedler was given the nickname Svengali for this incident. Fiedler continued his combat tour into 1945, and by January he had attained 8 confirmed aerial victories. Fiedler remained in the Air Force following the War. Flying in both Korea and Vietnam, he was promoted to Colonel in 1969, and retired from the Air Force in 1975. The P-51 Mustang and the Messerschmitt Bf-109 were two of the most important aircraft of WW II. More than 15,000 P-51s were produced, the most of any American-built fighter, while the Bf-109 was the most produced fighter aircraft of the war with 35,000 produced. The P-51 was designed by Raymond Rice and Edgar Schmued of North American Aviation, because the President of the company thought he could do better than merely produce Curtiss P-40s under license for the RAF.  Initially introduced with an Allison liquid-cooled V-12, the P-51 performed poorly despite its superior airframe. As early Mustangs arrived the British were anxious to see how this aircraft would perform with the powerful Rolls Royce Merlin engine. The aircraft was about 13 percent faster and could climb to combat altitude in 45 percent less time than the Allison-equipped aircraft. Going into production as the P-51B the Brits received about 1000 aircraft while the USAAF took an additional 1000. The first P-51B models were in service with the Eighth Air Force in December 1943. The excellent performance of these aircraft and their excellent range when equipped with external wing tanks, made the P-51 a tremendous asset when accompanying American daylight bombers on their raids into Germany. The 109 was arguably the most advanced fighter aircraft from 1935 until 1940. The 109 was designed by Willy Messerschmitt and Walter Rethel with the goal of packing the most powerful engine available into the smallest possible aircraft structure. During the Spanish Civil War the 109 proved its superiority. Despite numerous technical enhancements as the war progressed, by the end of the War the 109 was both outclassed and outnumbered by its rivals.

A Pistol Whipping by Stan Stokes.
 P-51 Mustangs of the 357th Fighter Group clash with Me109s in close combat as they struggle for air superiority over the heart of Germany, during the desperate days of 1945.  It had begun - the end game was inexorably in play.  The final defeat of Germany and the end of Nazi tyranny was almost within sight but in the skies over Germany the defiant remnants of the Luftwaffe fought on with savage determination.  Ever since the long-range American P-51 escort fighters had first appeared, the skies over the Reich had witnessed grim encounters with the Mustangs taking on the Luftwaffe as they tried to stop the heavy bombers of the USAAF reaching their targets.  By early 1945 it was a losing battle, but still the Luftwaffe fought on and, in the resulting maelstrom of combat, the Mustang pilots still had their work cut out against these battle hardened, expert pilots.  Robert Taylor's superb drawing dramatically reconstructs one such clash in early 1945 as P-51 Mustangs of the 357th Fighter Group have spotted a group of Bf109s heading their way.  Without hesitation they dive head-on in an attempt to break-up the enemy formation and for the pilots on both sides the explosive encounter of close combat is suddenly upon them.  Limited edition prints of this classic Robert Taylor Master Drawing have been signed over the last few years by some of the most respected USAAF P-51 and distinguished Luftwaffe pilots who duelled in those merciless skies over Europe.  Since signing the prints some of these legendary names have very sadly passed away, making it one of the most collectible editions of recent years.

The Eagles Divide by Robert Taylor.
 Bf 109G-2s of III/JG 52 leave their dispersal on the Eastern Front in 1943. Nearest aircraft is Black 13 of Gruppenkommandeur Gunther Rall, then fast approaching his 150th victory.

Gunther Rall - Black 13 by Ivan Berryman.
 Gunther Rall in his Me109G <i>Black 13</i> about to set off with the rest of III./JG52 from a snow covered eastern front airstrip in 1943.

Snow Warriors by Ivan Berryman.
Signatures on these products
*The value given for each signature has been calculated by us based on the historical significance and rarity of the signature and is for the unmatted version where available. Values of many pilot signatures have risen in recent years and will likely continue to rise as they become more and more rare.
NameInfo


Obergefreiter Walter Erker (deceased)
Died : 2015
*Signature Value : £40

Editions signed :

Limited edition of 30 giclee art prints.
Limited edition of 20 artist proofs.


Erker, Walter
(Obergefreiter Walter Erker (deceased))

Joining the Luftwaffe towards the end of the war, he was posted to II./JG103 on the Baltic coast of northern Germany. Here he flew Bf109s with the 5th Staffel but, on 20 October 1944 a fellow pilot collided with him in mid-air at around 700 feet. Although he just managed to bale out he was severely injured and spent the remainder of the War recovering. He died on 22nd October 2015.




Feldwebel Heinz Radlauer
*Signature Value : £45

Editions signed :

Limited edition of 20 artist proofs.
Signature edition of 2 prints.


Radlauer, Heinz
(Feldwebel Heinz Radlauer)

Heinz Radlauer learnt to fly gliders in 1940, aged 17, and joined the Luftwaffe in August 1941. After Fighter School, in June 1944 he was posted to join JG51 Molders then fighting on the Eastern Front near Minsk, scoring his first victory in October of that year. Heinz Radlauer fleew the Bf109G, the Fw190A, and at the end of the war the Fw190D, by which time he had notched up over 100 combat missions, flying his last combat mission on 30th April 1945. Credited with 15 air victories, all on the Eastern Front, he was awarded the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class.




Walter Wolfrum (deceased)
Died : 2010
*Signature Value : £60

Editions signed :

Signature edition of 2 prints.
Original pencil drawing by David Pentland.


Wolfrum, Walter
(Walter Wolfrum (deceased))

Walter Wolfrum first saw combat in the Crimea with 5/JG52. He was shot down three times, and wounded twice before scoring his first victory. With his score at 70 he was again wounded, but returned to take command of 1/JG52 in May 1944, taking part in the fiercely fought defence of the Ploesti oilfields. he was again wounded, but returned to command 1/JG52 until the end of the war. he had flown 423 missions, achieved 137 victories, and was awarded the Knights Cross. Sadly, Walter Wolfrum passed away on 26th August 2010.




Oberst Erich Hartmann (deceased)
Died : 1993
*Signature Value : £95

Editions signed :

Signature edition of 2 prints.
Original pencil drawing by David Pentland.


Hartmann, Erich
(Oberst Erich Hartmann (deceased))

Erich Hartmann started his career as Paule Rossmans wingman, and it was obvious that here was a very special pilot. Promoted Staffelkapitan of 7/JG52 in July 1943, he was shot down and taken prisoner for four hours before escaping. In September he took over 9/JG52. In March 1944 he reached the 200 victory mark. He later le 4/JG52, then briefly I/JG52, and lastly Gruppenkommandeur of I/JG52. Hartmann scored a total of 352 victories, more than any other pilot in history, and was awarded the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. Erich Hartmann is the top-scoring fighter pilot in history. During WWII he shot down the equivalent of almost 15 Allied squadrons in aerial combat. In some 850 aerial combats he shot down 352 Allied planes and was shot down himself 16 times. He was never wounded. Hartmanns mother taught him to fly at age 14 and in 1942 at age 20 he was flying Me109s on the Eastern front. His first combat mission was disastrous. He spoiled his leaders attack by going for the kill himself, then mistook his leaders Me109 for a Russian fighter and fled in panic. Were it not for super ace Walter Krupinski believing in Hartmanns abilities he might well have had his flying career ended. Krupinskis tutoring coupled with the fact that Hartmann was a crack shot, turned him around. He scored his first victory on November 5th 1942 and by September 1943 he had completed 300 missions with 95 victories to his credit. In August 1944 Hartmann was awarded the Diamonds to his Knights Cross - Germanys highest decoration and one that was awarded to only 27 German militar ypersonnel. Hitler made the award personally. Before the award ceremony he was demanded to hand over his sidearm before meeting with Hitler. Hartmann told the generals that if Hitler could not trust his front line officers, he could stuff his Diamonds. After a brief confusion he was allowed to carry his pistol. Hartmanns success resulted from the lessons he learned from Krupinski - do not fire until your enemys plane fills your windscreen. That resulted in a sure kill with a minimum amount of ammunition expended. Almost every kill Hartmann made was a near collision. After the war Hartmann surrendered to the Americans, who turned him over to the Russians. He was singled out for especially brutal treatment and was illegally held by the Russians until 1955 when Chansellor Adenaur personally visited Moscow and arranged for his release. The Russians had used every persuasive device known to convert Hartmann to Communism and get him to join the DDR airforce. Upon his return to Germany, his friend and fellow ace, Walter Krupinski, urged him to join the new German Air Force with other old friends such as Barkhorn and Hrabak. Since he felt he was too old to begin a new career, he did. He was given refresher training in the United States and was selected to command the Richthofen Wing in the new German Air Force, the first fighter wing to be rebuilt since the war. He filled that and other jobs in the new Luftwaffe with great distinction until his retirement. He died 20th September 1993.




Hermann Graf (deceased)
Died : 1988
*Signature Value : £70

Editions signed :

Signature edition of 2 prints.
Original pencil drawing by David Pentland.


Graf, Hermann
(Hermann Graf (deceased))

Hermann Graf, born in October 1912, trained to be a pilot from 1936, and in the summer of 1939 joined 2./JG51. With 9./JG52, Graf was transferred around several European stations, including Greece and Romania, eventually transferring to the Ukraine in August 1941. Claiming his first victory in August 1941, by early 1942 he had scored 45 victories, earning him the Knights Cross on 24th January 1942. Rapidly adding to his victories on the eastern front, Hermann Graf became the first pilot to score over 200 victories, earning the Oak Leaves, Sword and Diamonds to his Knights Cross on 17th May, 19th May and 16th September 1942 respectively. Due to the potential morale loss should such a high scoring Ace be shot down, he was subsequently moved to command a pilot training unit. He was injured after a collision with an American fighter in March 1944, recovering to take command of JG52 once again. finally surrendering his unit in May 1945. His total was 212 victories. Hermann Graf died 11th April 1988.




General Johannes Steinhoff (deceased)
Died : 1994
*Signature Value : £80

Editions signed :

Signature edition of 2 prints.
Original pencil drawing by David Pentland.


Steinhoff, Johannes
(General Johannes Steinhoff (deceased))

By early 1940 Macky Steinhoff was leading 4 / JG-52 during the Battle of Britain. He was then transferred to the eastern front where his success continued. In the final stages of the defence of the Reich he joined JV-44 flying the ME 262 in which he scored 6 victories before being seriously burned in a crash. He flew 939 missions scored 178 victories and was awarded the Knights Cross with Oak leaves and swords.


Oberleutnant Rolf Ebhardt (deceased)
Died : 2013
*Signature Value : £45

Editions signed :

Signature edition of 2 prints.


Ebhardt, Rolf
(Oberleutnant Rolf Ebhardt (deceased))

Joined Luftwaffe in December 1941 and began flight training at Dresden in February 1942. Joined NJG 101 in December 1942 (night training unit) where he completed his specialist training. (In training flew Ju52, He111, Ju88, Do217 and Me109) As a newly promoted Leutnant he joined III/NJG 1 in Holland on 1st November 1943 and achieved his first night time victory on 26 April 1944. By the time of his eighth and last victory on 5 January 1945 he had flown 82 operations and been awarded the Iron Cross First and Second Class. All his ops were flown in Me110s. He died in March 2013.




Oberstleutnant Helmut Bennemann (deceased)
Died : 2007
*Signature Value : £65

Editions signed :

Signature edition of 2 prints.


Bennemann, Helmut
(Oberstleutnant Helmut Bennemann (deceased))

Helmut Bennemann was born 16th March 1915. During the Battle of Britain Helmut Bennemann was Gruppenadjutant with I./JG52 on the Channel Front. In April 1942 he was Staffelkapitan of 3./JG52 in the east and was appointed Kommandeur of I./JG52 from June 1942 until October 1943. Posted to Italy in November 1943, he was promoted to Kommodore of JG53 (Ace of Spades) in this theatre and in the defence of Germany. He commanded JG53 on Operation Bodenplatte. Helmut Bennemann flew over 400 missions, scoring 92 victories and was awarded the Knight's Cross. He died 17th November 2007.
Squadrons Related to This Print
JG52
Aircraft Related to This Print
Me109

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