Nicolas Trudgian.
The full range of aviation art prints by Nicolas Trudgian, signed by
fighter and bomber pilots, published by the military gallery, are now
exclusively available from Cranston Fine Arts, including many sold out and
secondary market aviation prints.
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Colditz - Under New Management by Nicolas Trudgian.
Colditz – a forbidding medieval castle near Leiptzig, Germany - remains one of the most potent symbols of the Second World War. Reputed to be the Nazis most escape proof prison, this grim castle is the most notorious PoW camp in history with the distinction of being the only German prison that had more guards than prisoners. The castle was specifically used to impound incorrigible, Allied officers who had repeatedly escaped from other camps but putting so many experienced serial escapers in one place proved to be a rather questionable idea. Despite more conventional escape routes gradually being sealed off by the Germans, members of The Colditz Escape Academy continued to jump, tunnel and sneak out of this inescapable prison in surprising numbers. Early in the war Hermann Goering made a public declaration that Colditz was escape proof but he was to be proven wrong time and time again, and over 300 attempts were made during the course of the war, with more than 130 prisoners escaping and 31 successfully reaching home. When captured the result was three weeks in the solitary confinement block, however this didnt stop prisoners inventing even more elaborate means of escaping, even catapulting themselves out of high windows and of course the famous design and building of a sophisticated glider. This new edition, reproduced from a pencil drawing by Nicolas Trudgian, depicts the imposing castle shortly after being liberated by American troops in April 1945. In the foreground below a Sherman Tank of the 9th Armored Division stands on watch, close to the sign that was erected by the US 69th Infantry Division.
Limited Edition : Signed limited edition of 200 prints. Print paper size 14.5 inches x 12 inches (37cm x 31cm). Price £60.00 Signed by
Major Peter Parker.
Artist Proof Edition : Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Print paper size 14.5 inches x 12 inches (37cm x 31cm). Price £495.00 Signed by Maj Peter Parker, Maj Gen Corran Purdon, Flt Lt Bill Goldfinch, Maj Mike Edwards, Brig Grismond Davies-Scourfield, Stf Sgt Murray Shapiro, Prof Peter Hoffman.
ITEM CODE DHM2598
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Pacific Glory by Nicolas Trudgian.
One of the most successful of the P-38 equipped units was the 475th Fighter Group, Satans Angels, and it is the P-38s of this famous unit that Nicolas Trudgian has portrayed in his tribute to the American Air Forces that made Victory in the Pacific possible. It is March 1945 and the P-38s of the 475th FG are involved in a huge dogfight with Japanese Zeros over the coast of Indo-China. Flying Pee Wee V is Lt Ken Hart of the 431st Fighter Squadron, who has fatally damaged a Zero in a blistering head on encounter. The second P-38 – Vickie – belongs to Captain John Rabbit Pietz, who would end the War an Ace with six victories.
Anniversary Edition : Signed limited edition of 350 prints. Print paper size 35.5 inches x 27 inches (90cm x 69cm). Price £150.00 Signatories: Col Perry J Dahl; Cpt Joseph Forster; Cpt Thomas Oxford.
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Print paper size 35.5 inches x 27 inches (90cm x 69cm). Price £250.00 Signatories: Col Perry J Dahl; Cpt Joseph Forster; Cpt Thomas Oxford; Cpt Jack Olson; Lt Col John Loisel.
Commemorative Proof Edition : Signed limited edition of 150 prints. Print paper size 35.5 inches x 27 inches (90cm x 69cm). Price £220.00 Signatories: Col Perry J Dahl; Cpt Joseph Forster; Cpt Thomas Oxford; Cpt Jack Olson; Lt Col John Loisel.
ITEM CODE DHM2589
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Heaven Can Wait by Nicolas Trudgian.
B-17 Fortresses of the Bloody Hundredth- the Eighth Air Forces 100th Bomb Group - return to Thorpe Abbotts following a raid on enemy oil refineries, September 11, 1944. Nicolas Trudgians moving tribute to the Bloody Hundredth shows the imaginatively named B-17, Heaven Can Wait, on final approach to Thorpe Abbotts after the intense battle on September 11, 1944. Skilfully piloted by Harry Hempy, the seriously damaged B-17G has struggled 500 miles home on two engines to make it back to England. They lost their tail gunner that fateful day. Below the descending bomber stream, an agricultural traction engine peacefully ploughs the wheat stubble in preparation for next year’s vital crop, the farm workers oblivious to the unimaginable traumas so recently experienced by the crews of the returning B-17 Fortresses.
Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Print paper size 30.5 inches x 24 inches (77cm x 61cm). Price £155.00 Signatories: Lt Col Henry Hank Cervantes; Cpt Harry M Hempy; Stf Sgt Joseph Joe Keenan; Tech Sgt James Mack.
Limited edition 25 artist proof editions. Print paper size 30.5 inches x 24 inches (77cm x 61cm). Price £185.00 Signatories: Lt Col Henry Hank Cervantes; Cpt Harry M Hempy; Stf Sgt Joseph Joe Keenan; Tech Sgt James Mack.
ITEM CODE DHM2592
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Welcome Respite by Nicolas Trudgian.
Wherever the GIs went they took their Jeeps with them, and before the war was run the little quarter-ton, 4-wheel drive, utility vehicle was as well known around the world as the Model T Ford. Nicolas Trudgian has painted a compelling image, set back in time when the little Jeep was omnipresent on and around the roads and battlefields of a war-torn world. It is Christmas 1944 and, as a gaggle of 339th FG P-51 Mustangs disturb the peace of this ancient English village, a little Jeep waits patiently outside the pub while her occupants sample the local ale. A wonderfully nostalgic painting that will bring back pleasant memories to many.
Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Print paper size 20 inches x 22 inches (51cm x 56cm). Price £85.00
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Print paper size 20 inches x 22 inches (51cm x 56cm). Price £135.00
ITEM CODE DHM2591
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Kursk - Clash of Steel by Nicolas Trudgian.
The Germans launched their attack on the Kursk salient on 5th July 1943, and for both sides this was maximum effort. The Soviets, however, informed by intelligence of the impending German attack, had ample time to prepare huge defensive works with hundreds of planned anti tank belts. They deployed 10 Tank Corps, 5 Tank Armies, 1 mechanised Corps and 14 Field Armies equipped with 4000 anti tank guns and 6000 tanks. The Soviet Air Forces were equally impressive - 2600 aircraft. The Germans, outnumbered in every department, were forced to scrape together whatever serviceable tanks they could from their badly under strength Panzer formations. Most of the tanks deployed were old Panzer IIIs or IVs, with only 147 Tigers available for action. The northern German attack made very little headway, but, in the south, the Germans had grouped all of the SS Panzer forces into the II SS Panzer Corps and these units, despite the enormous Soviet forces ranged against them, began to smash their way through the Soviet defences. The Luftwaffe too had brought together 1200 aircraft and these made an immediate impact on the fighting - on the first day alone German fighters broke up massive formations of Soviet aircraft, over 400 victories being claimed.
Signed limited edition of 350 prints. Paper size 33 inches x 23 inches (84cm x 58cm). Price £165.00 Signed by Feldwebel Heinz Radlauer, Feldwebel Erich Brunotte.
Limited edition of 25 prints. Paper size approx 33 inches x 23 inches (84cm x 58cm). Price £320.00 Signed by Feldwebel Heinz Radlauer, Feldwebel Erich Brunotte. Additionally signed by SS-Sturmmann Ernst Kufner, Unteroffizier Johannes Oesterhelt, SS-Oberscharführer Werner Wendt.
Signed limited edition print. . Price £
Signed limited edition print. . Price £
Signed Artist Special Reserve Edition of 50 prints, signed by the artist only Paper size 33 inches x 23 inches (84cm x 58cm). Price £105.00
ITEM CODE DHM2266
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The Black Sheep by Nicolas Trudgian.
Few fighter units in World War II gained the notoriety of Pappy Boyingtons Marine Corps VMF-214 Black Sheep Squadron. Equipped with the Chance Vought F4U Corsair, under Boyingtons spirited leadership, the Black Sheep pilots were accorded one of only two Presidential Unit Citations awarded to Marine Corps squadrons during the war in the Pacific. With the American forces pushing up through the South Pacific, the First Marine Air Wing was urgently looking for a seasoned fighter pilot to form a unit to take the brand new F4U into combat. Boyington had the experience - he had become an Ace flying with Chennaults Flying Tigers in China - and the rank to lead a squadron; he also had a reputation as an aggressive fighter leader, and was a natural choice for the job. Recruiting pilots from the reserve pool, together with others awaiting assignment to squadrons, the 30 year-old Boyington - dubbed Pappy by his group of young pilots - knocked them into one of the most effective fighter units in the South Pacific. In their first twelve weeks of operation they brought down 97 Japanese aircraft, no fewer than 95 of which were enemy fighters. During this period they lost only 11 pilots. VMF-214 saw action at Guadalcanal, the northern Solomons and Vella Lavella; they were the first to strafe Kahili, the first to operate from the field at Munda while it was still under enemy artillery fire, and the first to lead fighter sweeps over Rabaul. Nicolas Trudgians outstanding painting captures the scene at Vella Lavella as Pappy Boyington leads his VMF-214 Black Sheep Squadron off the island strip to escort a B-17 Fortress raid on Rabaul in December 1943. Boyington led his Black Sheep pilots through two combat tours before being brought down himself and taken prisoner. On his last mission he shot down three Zeros, bringing his final tally to 28. He was to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. Nicks fine image pays tribute to one of the US Marine Corps most illustrious fighter squadrons and to its remarkable leader.
Fighter Pilots Edition. Signed limited edition of 125 prints. Paper size approx 34 inches x 25 inches (86cm x 64cm). Price £150.00 Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Robert W McClurg and Brigadier General Bruce J Matheson, in addition to the artist.
Black Sheep Edition. Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Paper size approx 34 inches x 25 inches (86cm x 64cm). Price £250.00 Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Robert W McClurg, Lieutenant Colonel W Thomas Emrich, Colonel Edwin A Harper, Lieutenant Colonel William D Heier, Lieutenant Colonel James J Hill, Captain Fred S Losch and Brigadier General Bruce J Matheson, in addition to the artist.
Black Sheep Edition. Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Paper size approx 34 inches x 25 inches (86cm x 64cm). Price £180.00 Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Robert W McClurg, Lieutenant Colonel W Thomas Emrich, Colonel Edwin A Harper, Lieutenant Colonel William D Heier, Lieutenant Colonel James J Hill, Captain Fred S Losch and Brigadier General Bruce J Matheson, in addition to the artist.
Black Sheep Edition. Limited edition of 40 remarques. Paper size approx 34 inches x 25 inches (86cm x 64cm). Price £400.00 Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Robert W McClurg, Lieutenant Colonel W Thomas Emrich, Colonel Edwin A Harper, Lieutenant Colonel William D Heier, Lieutenant Colonel James J Hill, Captain Fred S Losch and Brigadier General Bruce J Matheson, in addition to the artist.
Black Sheep Edition. Limited edition of 10 double remarques. Paper size approx 34 inches x 25 inches (86cm x 64cm). Price £525.00 Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Robert W McClurg, Lieutenant Colonel W Thomas Emrich, Colonel Edwin A Harper, Lieutenant Colonel William D Heier, Lieutenant Colonel James J Hill, Captain Fred S Losch and Brigadier General Bruce J Matheson, in addition to the artist.
Black Sheep Tribute Edition. Limited edition of 10 prints. Paper size approx 34 inches x 25 inches (86cm x 64cm). Price £1175.00 Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Robert W McClurg, Lieutenant Colonel W Thomas Emrich, Colonel Edwin A Harper, Lieutenant Colonel William D Heier, Lieutenant Colonel James J Hill, Captain Fred S Losch and Brigadier General Bruce J Matheson, in addition to the artist.
Nicolas Trudgian Promotional Flyer. A4 Size Double Sheet 11.5 inches x 8 inches (30m x 21cm) . Price £1.50
ITEM CODE DHM2225
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Hellcat Fury by Robert Taylor.
Truk, the small atoll in the South Pacific, was the major anchorage for the Japanese Fleet. Comprising a magnificent harbor and four heavily defended airfields, it was thought impregnable by the US forces as they fought their way up through the Pacific. But on 16-17 February 1944 a violent two-day aerial assault by carrierborne aircraft of Task Force 58 exploded the myth. In just two days the US Navy flyers sunk over 200,000 tons of Japanese naval shipping and destroyed an estimated 275 enemy aircraft, totally eliminating all effectiveness of the Japanese base. Light as the US Navy losses were only 25 aircraft failed to return the battle for Truk was ferocious. The ground installations, ships, and airfield batteries put up intense antiaircraft fire against the attacking American aircraft, while Zeros did their best to repel the onslaught. The air above the atoll became a maelstrom of flak, tracer, flying lead and shrapnel, while below huge explosions rocked the ground as ammo and fuel dumps were hit, fires raged, and the acrid smoke of battle pervaded the entire area. In this important new painting, his first featuring the F6F Hellcat, Robert Taylor brings to life the scenario that was crucial to Admiral Spruances forceful drive through the Central Pacific. The once feared Japanese base at Truk is being reduced to a statistic of war. Hellcats of VF6 hurtle across the lagoon at masthead height with guns blazing, creating havoc as they tear into the enemy positions below. Seen in the foreground is the F6F-3 of Lt. Alex Vracui, subsequently to become one of the Navys top guns. This exhilarating work dramatically conveys the awesome conditions endured day after day by the pilots of the US Navy and Marine Corps in the Pacific.
Aces Edition. Signed limited edition of 450 prints. Paper size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm). Price £200.00 Signed by Commander Willis E Hardy USN, Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN and Commander Alex Vraciu USN.
War in the Pacific Edition. Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Paper size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm). Price £395.00 Signed by Commander Willis E Hardy USN, Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN, Commander Alex Vraciu USN, Commander John Ted Crosby USN, Colonel Archie G Donahue USMC, Lt Commander Fred Buck Dungan USN, Lt Commander James E Duffy USN, Captain John R Strane USN and Commander Ed Wendy Wendorf USN.
War in the Pacific Edition. Signed limited edition of 300 prints. Image size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm). Price £250.00 Signed by Commander Willis E Hardy USN, Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN, Commander Alex Vraciu USN, Commander John Ted Crosby USN, Colonel Archie G Donahue USMC, Lt Commander Fred Buck Dungan USN, Lt Commander James E Duffy USN, Captain John R Strane USN and Commander Ed Wendy Wendorf USN.
Portfolio Publisher Proof Edition. Signed limited edition of 75 prints. Paper size 35 inches x 24 inches (89cm x 61cm). Price £395.00 Signed by Commander Willis E Hardy USN, Commander Hamilton McWhorter USN, Commander Alex Vraciu USN, Commander John Ted Crosby USN, Colonel Archie G Donahue USMC, Lt Commander Fred Buck Dungan USN, Lt Commander James E Duffy USN, Captain John R Strane USN, Commander Ed Wendy Wendorf USN, Colonel Bruce Porter USMC, Colonel James E Swett USMC MOH and Captain Stanley Swede Vejtasa USN.
ITEM CODE NT0007
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End Game by Nicolas Trudgian.
For bomber crews, any daylight-bombing mission almost certainly meant combat. If it werent the attentions of determined Luftwaffe fighter pilots, it would be an aerial carpet of flak that welcomed the bombers en route to the target - and again on the journey home. On most missions the Eighth Air Force aircrews had to contend with both. Enduring up to ten hours of concentrated flying under cramped conditions, extreme cold, with the constant noise and vibration produced by four powerful engines, made every mission uncomfortable enough without being shot at. But the USAAF aircrews confronted the odds - a one in three chance of completing a 25-mission tour of operations - cheerfully and with gallant resolve. Playing a major role in the great raids on Germany and other targets in occupied Europe from early in 1944, equipped with the Consolidated B-24 Liberator, the USAAF Second Air Division flew no fewer than 95,048 sorties. Based in Norfolk, England, the crews also attacked targets far distant in Norway, Poland and Rumania, unloading almost 100,000 tons of bombs and claiming over 1000 enemy fighters shot down.
Signed limited edition of 600 prints. Image size 28 inches x 16 inches (71cm x 41cm). Price £150.00 Signed by S/Sgt Vernon R Swain, Captain George E Hammond, T/Sgt Perry Morse, Lt Col James P Dyke, Colonel Charles H Booth, Lt Col Robert Dubowsky, S/Sgt C W Will Lundy, Captain Everett R Jones, Captain J Richard Butler and Lt Col Elmo W Geppelt, in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Image size 28 inches x 16 inches (71cm x 41cm). Price £200.00 Signed by S/Sgt Vernon R Swain, Captain George E Hammond, T/Sgt Perry Morse, Lt Col James P Dyke, Colonel Charles H Booth, Lt Col Robert Dubowsky, S/Sgt C W Will Lundy, Captain Everett R Jones, Captain J Richard Butler and Lt Col Elmo W Geppelt, in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of 25 remarques. Image size 28 inches x 16 inches (71cm x 41cm). Price £325.00 Signed by S/Sgt Vernon R Swain, Captain George E Hammond, T/Sgt Perry Morse, Lt Col James P Dyke, Colonel Charles H Booth, Lt Col Robert Dubowsky, S/Sgt C W Will Lundy, Captain Everett R Jones, Captain J Richard Butler and Lt Col Elmo W Geppelt, in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of 75 publishers proofs. Image size 28 inches x 16 inches (71cm x 41cm). Price £180.00 Signed by S/Sgt Vernon R Swain, Captain George E Hammond, T/Sgt Perry Morse, Lt Col James P Dyke, Colonel Charles H Booth, Lt Col Robert Dubowsky, S/Sgt C W Will Lundy, Captain Everett R Jones, Captain J Richard Butler and Lt Col Elmo W Geppelt, in addition to the artist.
ITEM CODE DHM2261
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Raising Havoc in the Ardennes by Nicolas Trudgian.
It is January 1945, and its cold. The German advance in the Ardennes is nearly over, but the Panzer Army is desperately throwing more troops into the breach who try to keep their momentum going in The Battle of the Bulge. Tasked with preventing German reinforcements from reaching the battle front, the Ninth Air Force launched a series of low-level attacks on enemy ground forces as they wind their way through the Ardennes. Flying conditions were not easy, cloud bases were low, and snow was in the air. Nicolas Trudgians new painting recreates an attack on January 23, 1945, by Douglas A-20 Havocs of the 410th Bomb Group. Locating an enemy convoy in open space near the German town of Blankenheim, the Havoc pilots make a swift attack diving from 8000 feet, catching the German force by surprise: Hurtling down the line of vehicles at 320mph they release their parafrag bombs from 300 feet then, dropping just above the roofs of the army trucks continue down the column blasting everything in sight with their forward-firing .50mm caliber machine guns. In the space of a few minutes the attack is completed and the convoy decimated. With ammunition expended and fuel running low the A-20 Havocs climb out of the zone and head for base in France. A 20mm shell has hit the lead aircraft wounding the Bombardier/Navigator Gordon Jones, which will seriously hamper their return through a blizzard, but all aircraft make it safely home - the lead aircraft, on landing, counting over 100 holes of various sizes. For their part in leading the successful attack the Lead Pilot Russell Fellers and Bombardier/Navigator Gordon G. Jones received the Silver Star.
Signed limited edition of 500 prints. 26 inches x 21 inches (64cm x 53cm). Price £140.00 Signed by Major Howard B Aines, Staff Sergeant Donald Bjornson, Captain Jerome M Coe, Captain Narval F Davis, Staff Sergeant Karl Haeuser, Captain John L Minech, Major James R Nicols and Lt Colonel J Duane Wethe, in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of 100 portfolio prints. Paper size 26 inches x 21 inches (64cm x 53cm). Price £210.00 Signed by Major Howard B Aines, Staff Sergeant Donald Bjornson, Captain Jerome M Coe, Captain Narval F Davis, Staff Sergeant Karl Haeuser, Captain John L Minech, Major James R Nicols, Lt Colonel James F Barkalow, Lt Colonel Gordon Jones, Major Charles D LaMond and Lt Colonel J Duane Wethe, in addition to the artist.
Signed limited edition of 100 portfolio edition print, supplied with companion print. Paper size 26 inches x 21 inches (64cm x 53cm). Price £240.00 Signed by Major Howard B Aines, Staff Sergeant Donald Bjornson, Captain Jerome M Coe, Captain Narval F Davis, Staff Sergeant Karl Haeuser, Captain John L Minech, Major James R Nicols and Lt Colonel J Duane Wethe, in addition to the artist.
Nicolas Trudgian Promotional Flyer. A4 Size Double Sheet 11.5 inches x 8 inches (30m x 21cm) . Price £1.50
ITEM CODE NT0322
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Return to Rattlesden by Nicolas Trudgian.
With their crews, the 447th Bomb Group B-17 Fortresses arrived at Rattlesden in late 1943, the East Anglian base from which the group flew all its missions until the end of the war. Entering combat on December 24, the 447th targeted submarine pens, naval installations, ports and missile sites, airfields and marshalling yards in France, Belgium and Germany in preparation for the Normandy invasion. In the thick of the bomber offensive, the 447th took part in the Big-Week raids, supported the D-Day landings, aided the breakthrough at St. Lo, pounded enemy positions during the airborne invasion of Holland, and dropped supplies to the Free French forces fighting behind enemy lines. During the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944 - January 1945, the group attacked marshalling yards, railroad bridges and communications centers in the combat zone, later resuming their offensive against targets deep inside Germany. When the war ended the 447th had flown over 257 individual missions, with one of their aircrew, Robert Femoyer, being awarded the Medal of Honor. Theirs was typical of the action packed campaigns flown by the American Eighth Air Force bomb groups in Europe during WWII.
Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Paper size 37 inches x 22 inches (94cm x 56cm). Price £150.00 Signed by T/Sgt John C Bitzer, T/Sgt Norman Bussel, Colonel Edward A Dingivan, First Lt Frank Frision, S/Sgt John H Osbah, S/Sgt Orlando Pete Petrillo, Sgt Byron Schlag and S/Sgt Don Sherman, in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Paper size 37 inches x 22 inches (94cm x 56cm). Price £200.00 Signed by T/Sgt John C Bitzer, T/Sgt Norman Bussel, Colonel Edward A Dingivan, First Lt Frank Frision, S/Sgt John H Osbah, S/Sgt Orlando Pete Petrillo, Sgt Byron Schlag and S/Sgt Don Sherman, in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of 25 publishers proofs. Paper size 37 inches x 22 inches (94cm x 56cm). Price £180.00 Signed by T/Sgt John C Bitzer, T/Sgt Norman Bussel, Colonel Edward A Dingivan, First Lt Frank Frision, S/Sgt John H Osbah, S/Sgt Orlando Pete Petrillo, Sgt Byron Schlag and S/Sgt Don Sherman, in addition to the artist.
ITEM CODE DHM2176
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