THE FIRST OF THE JETS By Nicolas Trudgian Original Gouache Signed 4 Me262 Veterans

'THE FIRST OF THE JETS' - ORIGINAL GOUACHE BY NICOLAS TRUDGIAN - FRAMED COLLECTORS PIECE

The Messerschmitt Me262A was the world's first turbo-Jet interceptor fielded in any quantity by the Air Forces of WW2. Long delayed by Hitler's insistence that it be configured as a Bomber, the Me262 was finally cleared for fighter operations and was successfully flown by a wide variety of Luftwaffe Units.

While Adolf Galland's 'JV44' has received a lot of interest, it was JG7 who deployed the largest number of jets and battled longer with the Allied airforces. Among its pilots were equally skillful men - Rudorffer, Weissenberger, Schuck - who had the dangerous task of battling an enemy that vastly outnumbered them.

The Me262 was fast - 540mph - and armed with four 30mm mk108 cannon. In addition, some aircraft carried the R4M air-to-air rockets and several victories were scored with these weapons.

Some Bomber Units also received the Me262A and these were used as fast Bombers against specific targets - one such being Luftwaffe efforts to destroy the Bridge at Remagen in March 1945, where Me262 bombers attacked in the company of Arado 234B's.

Nicolas Trudgian produced this wonderfully evocative watercolour Gouache work that has been published as a Print entitled 'The First of the Jets'. It features Me262A 'Yellow 7' of JG7 thundering through a snow-filled Alpine valley in the final stages of the war. This actual aircraft was captured by the Allied and now resides in Washington USA.

The Gouache itself has been hand signed by Me262 pilot Oberleutnant Heiner HAEFFNER who flew the 'Bomber' Me262's with KG51(j) 'Edelweiss'.

In addition, the original Gouache has been Framed with THREE further outstanding Me262 Pilots:-

GENERALLEUTNANT ADOLF GALLAND - OC JV44 (7 Victories in Me262)

MAJOR ERICH RUDORFFER - JG7 (12 VICTORIES IN ME262)

HAUPTMANN WALTER KRUPINSKI - JV44 (2 VICTORIES IN ME262)

This superb Collectors piece measures 19 x 17 Inches. 

Nicolas Trudgian has produced very few watercolour gouaches and has no plans to return to the medium.

THIS IS A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE AN ORIGINAL NICK TRUDGIAN ARTWORK IN A MEDIUM THAT HE NO LONGER WORKS IN.

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