'Fw190D-9's of JG26' by Nicolas Trudgian
ORIGINAL PENCIL DRAWING
In December 1944 Luftwaffe fighter Units began to take delivery of a new version of the famed Fw190. Described by designer Kurt Tank as in 'interrim' measure, pilots were initially skeptical of their new mount. Gone was tha old BMW Radial engine - replaced by a Junkers Jumo 213 in-line, giving the entire fighter a longer 'nose'. Indeed it was referred to as the 'Langnasen' Dora or 'Long nosed' Dora.
Despite the initial concerns of the pilots, the 'Dora 9' proved to be far better than the skeptics imagined - all-round performance was improved and the type proved a real match for contemporary Allied greats such as the P-51D Mustang and Griffin engined Spitfires. Most Luftwaffe pilots thought it the best piston engined fighter fielded by the Luftwaffe!
One of the first Units to get their hands on the 'Dora' was the formidable JG26, who had battled the Allies in the West for the whole of the war. By the time of the Fw190D-9's debut the air situation in the West for the Luftwaffe was dire. The 'Dora' allowed their (mostly) new Pilots to at least fight on more equal terms.
The supermacy of the Allies was such that Units like JG26 were forced to conceal their aircraft under trees to avoid being detected - and in Nicolas Trudgian's superbly crafted Drawing a pair of Fw190D-9's of JG26 taxi out from their woodland hiding place to fly a dangerous sortie against the Allies in Early 1945.
This Drawing is on A4 Paper and the image measures 8 x 3.5 Inches. It is full of detail and Double Remarque in size.
It is ideal for Mounting with Luftwaffe signatures or with one of Nick's Luftwaffe Prints!
