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Cranston Fine Arts Aviation Art and Artists World War Two Veteran Signatures Germany H to K Krupinski, Walter

General Walter Krupinski

Walter Krupinski first saw combat against the RAF on the Western Front. Transferring to the east, he became a Squadron Commander in the legendary JG52. In 1943 his victories reached 150 but, in March 1944 with 177 victories to his name, he was transferred to Germany to command JG11. Flying high altitude Me109s, he chalked up another 12 victories before being wounded. In September 1944 he was promoted Kommandeur of III./JG26 and led them on Operation Bodenplatte before joining Galland's famous JV44. He completed the war with 197 victories in over 1100 missions.

Walter Krupinski, known as Graf Punski or Count Punski in the Jagdwaffe, was a swashbuckling fly-boy with a phenomenal record of 197 aerial victories. Krupinski not only never lost a wingman, but also had the ability to help beginners develop to their full potential. He joined the Luftwaffe in 1939 as a student in the 11th Flying Training Regiment. He first served with the Jagderganzungsgruppe JG52, a combat replacement unit, flying the Me109, in October 1940. By the end of 191, he had earned the Iron Cross 1st class after his seventh victory and was awarded the German Cross in Gold and the Knights Cross one year later after scoring over 52 aerial victories. Krupinski taught the aerial art of closing with the enemy aircraft until it filled the windscreen before firing. It was during this time that the young Erich Hartmann was assigned as Krupinskis wingman. The young and overly enthusiastic Hartmann was seriously struggling in his first attempts at aerial combat, resulting in severe reprimands by the group commander. However, under Krupinskis expert tutelage, Hartmann mastered the art of aerial combat and went on to become the top scoring fighter ace in the world with 352 victories. While still a first lieutenant, Krupinski was selected as Dquadron Commander of 7.JG52 in the spring of 1943. On 5th of July of the same year, he scored victories 80 to 90 - 11 in one day! He later transferred to the Reich Defence in the west with 1./JG5 in the spring of 1944. His units mission was to help halt the Allied strategic bombardment campaign against Germany. Krupinski continued to rack up aerial victories and was awarded Oak Leaves to the Knights Cross after his 177th victory. He was promoted to Captain and became Group Commander of II./JG 11. Later, Krupinski became Group Commander of II./JG 26 Schlageter Group. In March 1945 he joined General Adolf Gallands famed Jagdverband 44 and flew Messerschmitt Me262 jet fighters until the end of the war. After logging a total of 1,100 combat missions, Krupinski was officialy credited with 197 aerial victories. Krupinski was also wounded seven times in aerial combat and received the Verwundetenabzeichen in Gold - the German equivalent of the American Purple Heart. A civilian after the war, Krupinski later joined the new Luftwaffe in 1952 and was promoted to major in 1955. He received jet fighting training from the Royal Air Force and became the first commander of the Jagdbomber Geschwader, Fighter-Bomber Wing - 33. Krupinski flew various jet fighters in the German Air Force, but held dear the last aircraft he flew until his retirement, his beloved F-104G Starfighter. General Krupinski retired as Commander of the German Air Force Tactical Air Command in 1976.

He received the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. He died 7th October 2000.

Knights Cross	Oak Leaves

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General Walter Krupinski - Signed Aviation Art

Focke Wulf Fw190A-4/U8 by Ivan Berryman. 3 editions. All 3 editions feature up to 3 additional signature(s). £60.00 - £580.00

Victory Above Dover by Ivan Berryman. 10 of 11 editions available. All 6 editions featuring up to 4 additional signatures are available. £2.90 - £520.00

The End by David Pentland. 8 editions. 3 of the 8 editions feature up to 5 additional signatures. £2.90 - £600.00

Fighter General by Graeme Lothian. One of 2 editions available. Both editions feature 8 additional signatures. £250.00

Clipped Signature - Walter Krupinski. 2 editions. £55.00 - £135.00

Clipped Signature - Erich Hartmann. One of 3 editions available. £95.00

Hand of Fate by David Pentland. 4 editions. 2 of the 4 editions feature up to 4 additional signatures. £50.00 - £380.00

In Defense of the Reich by Nicolas Trudgian. One of 5 editions available. One of 4 editions featuring up to 3 additional signatures is available. £480.00

Fw190F Fighters - Winter 1943 by Ivan Berryman. 4 editions. All 4 editions feature up to 4 additional signature(s). £60.00 - £450.00

Ready for Combat by Ivan Berryman. 3 of 4 editions available. All 4 editions feature up to 4 additional signatures. £75.00 - £380.00

Anton Hafner by Ivan Berryman. 9 of 10 editions available. All 3 editions featuring up to 5 additional signatures are available. £2.90 - £500.00

Defending the Homeland by Ivan Berryman. 3 of 4 editions available. All 4 editions feature up to 4 additional signatures. £75.00 - £430.00

Breaking the Ring by David Pentland. 3 of 4 editions available. All 4 editions feature up to 6 additional signatures. £65.00 - £400.00

Messerschmitt Me262B-1a/U1 by Ivan Berryman. 6 of 7 editions available. All 2 editions featuring up to 4 additional signatures are available. £2.90 - £310.00

No Escape by David Pentland. 12 editions. 6 of the 12 editions feature up to 7 additional signatures. £2.90 - £2800.00

The Frozen North, Petsamo, Finland, January 1943 by David Pentland. 4 editions. All 4 editions feature up to 4 additional signature(s). £60.00 - £400.00

Taran over the Kuban by David Pentland. 4 editions. All 4 editions feature up to 6 additional signature(s). £65.00 - £700.00

Morning Maintenance by Ivan Berryman. 4 editions. All 4 editions feature up to 4 additional signature(s). £60.00 - £480.00

Eagle in the Snow, Petsamo, Finland, January 1943 by David Pentland. 4 editions. One edition features 3 additional signatures. £50.00 - £600.00

Operation Bodenplatte by Nicolas Trudgian. 4 editions. All 4 editions feature up to 4 additional signature(s). £145.00 - £250.00

The Long Short Days by Robert Taylor. 3 of 6 editions available. All 6 editions feature up to 20 additional signatures. £215.00 - £425.00

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Text for the above items :

Focke Wulf Fw190A-4/U8 by Ivan Berryman. Fw190A-4/U8 night bomber variant of SKG.10.

Victory Above Dover by Ivan Berryman. Adolf Galland claimed his 16th victory on the afternoon of 25th July 1940 when Spitfires of 54 Sqn were bounced by Messerschmitt Bf.109s of Gallands III/JG26. A fierce battle ensued off Dover during which F/Lt Basil Wonky Way, flying R6707, found himself the subject of the great German aces attention, his stricken aircraft being observed to plunge into the sea after receiving numerous hits from the Bf.109s guns. F/Lt Way lost his life in the crash, presumed drowned.

The End by David Pentland. An abandoned Me262 shown in 1945 at the end of world war two.

Fighter General by Graeme Lothian. Fighter general shows Dolfo Galland leading a schwarm of BF109s out low at tree top height over the Kent countryside after doing battle with spitfires, during the last week of August 1940. This remarkable pilot was awarded the Knights Cross as a Major on the 15th August. His daring and leadership won the hearts of his men and respect from RAF Pilots. The Oak leaves was awarded on the 23rd September 1940 and crossed Swords in June 1941 after 69 victories. At the end of 1941 at age only 29 he was promoted Inspector General of the Fighter Arm. Leaving his post as Kommodore JG26 to Gerhard Schoepfel he was awarded the Diamonds to the Knights Cross in January 1942 at Oberst. As the youngest General in the German High Command he held this post until 1944, after open disagreements with Goring let to his dismissal. Reverting to combat flying he formed, with Steinhoff, the legendary JV-44, flying the ME262 jet fighter. His score by wars end stood at 104 all on the western Front. he was the only General to lead a squadron into battle.

Clipped Signature - Walter Krupinski. Luftwaffe General with almost 200 victories flying with JG52 and JV44. He flew jet fighters after the war, including the F104 Starfighter. Awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, he died in 2000.

Clipped Signature - Erich Hartmann. The highest scoring fighter pilot of all time with 352 victories, Erich Hartmann flew Me109s with JG52. Under the tutelage of Walter Krupinski he excelled in ensuring a kill by holding fire until the enemy aircraft filled the windscreen. He surrendered to the Americans but was turned over to the Russians who held him captive until 1955 - he then served in the rebuilt German Air Force. He died in 1993. Clipped alongside the signature of Walter Krupinski - Luftwaffe General with almost 200 victories flyiong with JG52 and JV44. He flew jet fighters after the war, including the F104 Starfighter. Awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, he died in 2000.

Hand of Fate by David Pentland. South of Alexandria, Egypt, 7th August 1942. When a pair of Me109Fs from JG27 unexpectedly encountered a lumbering Bristol Bombay and downed it, they were unaware of the full significance of their action. It was only on their return to base that Emil Clade and Bernd Schneider heard that Lt. General Strafer Gott the formidable new commander of the 8th Army had perished on the fallen transport. His death opened the way for his replacement, General Montgomery.

In Defense of the Reich by Nicolas Trudgian. The legend of Willie Messerschmitts Me262, and the elite fighter Aces who piloted this revolutionary jet aircraft, is as secure as any born during the Second World War. As they hurtled into the air, climbing at speeds hitherto unknown, a small group of seasoned pilots heralded a new generation of combat aircraft that would extend into the 21st century. At the spearhead of this new era in combat flying was the mercurial fighter leader Adolf Galland. Sacked for opposing the naive tactics of Luftwaffe supremo Hermann Goering, Galland found himself, as a General, once again leading a squadron of fighters into battle. Although too late to change the spectre of imminent defeat, this tiny group of highly decorated Aces fought a courageous rearguard action during the final Defense of the Reich. Seen blasting off an airfield in Bavaria are four Me262s, led by General Adolf Galland. Glistening in the damp air these sleek fighters are on full power in their rush to climb to altitude. Within minutes they will attack an incoming mass formation of B-17s and B-24s. Below, the roads and buildings reflect the sunlight between the scattered clouds of a departing storm.

Fw190F Fighters - Winter 1943 by Ivan Berryman. A pair of Fw190F fighters during the winter of 1943. The Fw190F and G had become the Luftwaffes standard fighter-bomber for ground attack. The Fw190F was very effective in this role. Additional armour protection was given to ground-attack variants and the G version also could carry a single 4,000-pound (1,800-kg) bomb or numbers of smaller bombs. The Fw190 was also used as a successful night fighter during the autumn and early winter of 1943-44, using conventional daylight methods to attack RAF bombers after searchlights had illuminated them.

Ready for Combat by Ivan Berryman. Erich Rudorffer commanding I./JG7 flying the Me262. Erich Rudorffer was the master of multiple scoring - achieving more multiple victories than any other pilot.

Anton Hafner by Ivan Berryman. The top scoring ace of JG.51, Anton Hafner is credited with 204 confirmed victories. A prolific scorer, on 8th August 1944, he shot down no fewer than seven Russian Sturmoviks and, by October of that year, his overall tally had exceeded 200. He died in combat with a Yak 7, his 204th victim, when his aircraft hit a tree. He is shown here in Messerschmitt Bf.109G-6 442013 Black 1.

Defending the Homeland by Ivan Berryman. Erich Rudorffer's Me 262 brings down a B-17 Flying Fortress during the defence of Germany.

Breaking the Ring by David Pentland. Cape Malyj-Korabelnye, Russia, 18th August 1943. While escorting Fw190s to attack Soviet shipping, ObLt. Schuck's flight of Me109G2s from 8./JG5 attacked the four Soviet Hurricanes of 78 IAP/VVS which were on patrol over the boats. The Soviet formation leader, Mladshiy Leytenant Valeriy Kiritshenko, ordered his men to form a defensive Lufbery circle but this proved inadequate protection against Schucks determined attack. Breaking into the Ring he first downed Kitshenko, and then pursued and shot down a second Hurricane.

Messerschmitt Me262B-1a/U1 by Ivan Berryman. Messerschmitt Me262B-1a/U1 of 10 Staffel, Natchjagdgeschwader 11.

No Escape by David Pentland. Bf109 G2 of Major Gunther Rall pursues and downs an unidentified Soviet aircraft over the Caucasus, Russia, early Autumn 1943. Rall went on to become the third highest scoring ace of all time, with 275 victories in only 621 missions.

The Frozen North, Petsamo, Finland, January 1943 by David Pentland. Walter Schuck and fellow pilot of JG5 Eismeer in front of a Me109F covered in tarpaulins as some protection against the weather in this most isolated and inhospitable theatre of the war. Schuck served with this unit from December 1942 to April 1945, and in that time claimed 198 victories.

Taran over the Kuban by David Pentland. Crimea, 7th August 1943. While flying a late afternoon combat patrol with Otto Fonnekolds schwarm, from 5 staffel, JG52, Willi Batz witnessed a taran or ramming attack by a soviet fighter on a Luftwaffe Fw189 artillery spotter. Then a second Spitfire, which Batz mistook for an Aircobra attempted to finish off the crew which had just bailed out. At this point Batz was able to intervene and opened fire on the Spitfire forcing the Russian to take to his own parachute. This was to be his 12th victory, his final tally would be 237. Unfortunately for the German crew they were all captured on landing.

Morning Maintenance by Ivan Berryman. Me262 of I./JG7 is prepared for an early morning sortie.

Eagle in the Snow, Petsamo, Finland, January 1943 by David Pentland. Walter Schuck of JG5 Eismeer prepares to take off on patrol in his Me109F. Schuck served with this unit from December 1942 to April 1945, and in that time claimed 198 victories.

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. Signed by four top Luftwaffe pilots who flew in Operation Bodenplatte. Published in 1998, this great art print sold steadily through the following 12 years and now very few are available. Due to the outstanding signatures sadly none of whom are with us anymore the value has increased from the issue price to nearly double in the first 14 years . This is certainly one to add to your collection. Nicolas Trudgian's early releases were very under priced and many had fantastic signatures. Many collectors recognised this fact in the early years and wisely took advantage of these great initial offer prices, meaning many of these sought after editions soon became hard to find.

The Long Short Days by Robert Taylor. It was known as the Jagdverbande, the fighter arm of the Luftwaffe, and by June 1940 it boasted some of the world's greatest fighter pilots. With tactics honed to perfection, these battle-seasoned veterans dominated the skies of Europe. But as the war progressed, the Luftwaffe fighter pilots faced another battle, the increasingly desperate war of attrition as the Allied air forces slowly, but inevitably, ground the German war machine into defeat. By early 1945 Allied air supremacy was overwhelming. And yet despite overwhelming odds, from within their ranks came the most successful air Aces ever to fly in combat - names such as Hans-Joachim Marseille, the top-scoring fighter pilot in the West, the legendary Erich Rudorffer who scored more multiple victories than any other pilot and of course the Fighter General, Adolf Galland, who achieved all of his 104 victories in the West. In total more than 100 Luftwaffe fighter pilots are known to have scored 100 or more victories, and 568 Jagdverbande flyers were holders of the Knight's Cross, Germany's highest awarded military honor. Robert Taylor's stunning painting, beautifully captures a group of Bf109Gs from III./JG26, as they return to their forward base after a long fighter sweep along the Channel coast in early 1944. In his unmistakable style, and with inordinate skill, Robert deftly evokes a moment of rare tranquility amidst the carnage of war as the lengthening sun glints across the frozen landscape during the short days of winter.

Walter Krupinski signing the print - Eagles Over the Steppes - by Graeme Lothian	Walter Krupinski signing the print - JV44 Kette of Swallows - by Graeme Lothian
Walter Krupinski - Knight's Cross.

Me109 Manufacturer : Messerschmitt Built : 33984

Me109 Willy Messerschmitt designed the BF109 during the early 1930s. The Bf109 was one of the first all metal monocoque construction fighters with a closed canopy and retractable undercarriage. The engine of the Me109 was a V12 aero engine which was liquid-cooled. The Bf109 first saw operational service during the Spanish Civil War and flew to the end of World War II, during which time it was the backbone of the Luftwaffe fighter squadrons. During the Battle of Britian the Bf109 was used in the role of an escort fighter, a role for which it was not designed for, and it was also used as a fighter bomber. During the last days of May 1940 Robert Stanford-Tuck, the RAF ace, got the chance to fly an Me109 which they had rebuilt after it had crash landed. Stanford-Tuck found out that the Me109 was a wonderful little plane, it was slightly faster than the Spitfire, but lacked the Spitfire manoeuvrability. By testing the Me109, Tuck could put himself inside the Me109 when fighting them, knowing its weak and strong points. With the introduction of the improved Bf109F in the spring of 1941, the type again proved to be an effective fighter during the invasion of Yugoslavia and during the Battle of Crete and the invasion of Russia and it was used during the Siege of the Mediteranean island of Malta. The Bf109 was the main fighter for the Luftwaffe until 1942 when the Fw190 entered service and shared this position, and was partially replaced in Western Europe, but the Me109 continued to serve on the Eastern Front and during the defence of the Reich against the allied bombers. It was also used to good effect in the Mediterranean and North Africa in support of The Africa Korps. The Me109 was also supplied to several German allies, including Finland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Slovakia. The Bf109 scored more kills than any other fighter of any country during the war and was built in greater numbers with a total of over 31,000 aircraft being built. The Bf109 was flown by the three top German aces of the war war. Erich Hartmann with 352 victories, Gerhard Barkhorn with 301 victories and Gunther Rall with 275 kills. Bf109 pilots were credited with the destruction of 100 or more enemy aircraft. Thirteen Luftwaffe Aces scored more than 200 kills. Altogether this group of pilots were credited with a total of nearly 15,000 kills, of which the Messerschmitt Bf109 was credited with over 10,000 of these victories. The Bf109 was the most produced warplane during World War II, with 30,573 examples built during the war, and the most produced fighter aircraft in history, with a total of 33,984 units produced up to April 1945. Bf109s remained in foreign service for many years after World War II. The Swiss used their Bf109Gs well into the 1950s. The Finnish Air Force did not retire their Bf109Gs until March 1954. Romania used its Bf109s until 1955. The Spanish Hispanos flew even longer. Some were still in service in the late 1960s.

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Me262 Manufacturer : Messerschmitt Built : 1400

Me262 The Messerschmitt Me-262 Swallow, a masterpiece of engineering, was the first operational mass-produced jet to see service. Prototype testing of the airframe commenced in 1941 utilizing a piston engine. General Adolf Galland, who was in charge of the German Fighter Forces at that time, pressured both Goring and Hitler to accelerate the Me-262, and stress its use as a fighter to defend Germany from Allied bombers. Hitler, however, envisioned the 262 as the aircraft which might allow him to inflict punishment on Britain. About 1400 Swallows were produced, but fortunately for the Allies, only about 300 saw combat duty. While the original plans for the 262 presumed the use of BMW jet engines, production Swallows were ultimately equipped with Jumo 004B turbojet engines. The wing design of the 262 necessitated the unique triangular hull section of the fuselage, giving the aircraft a shark-like appearance. With an 18 degree swept wing, the 262 was capable of Mach .86. The 262 was totally ineffective in a turning duel with Allied fighters, and was also vulnerable to attack during take off and landings. The landing gear was also suspect, and many 262s were destroyed or damaged due to landing gear failure. Despite its sleek jet-age appearance, the 262 was roughly manufactured, because Germany had lost access to its normal aircraft assembly plants. In spite of these drawbacks the 262 was effective. For example, on April 7, 1945 a force of sixty 262s took on a large force of Allied bombers with escort fighters. Armed with their four nose-mounted cannons, and underwing rockets the Swallows succeeded in downing or damaging 25 Allied B-17s on that single mission. While it is unlikely that the outcome of the War could have been altered by an earlier introduction or greater production totals for this aircraft, it is clear to many historians that the duration of the War might have been drastically lengthened if the Me-262 had not been too little too late.

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General Walter Krupinski Squadron details

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