Jet Hunters

Jet Hunters by Robert Taylor 
Overall Print Size: 34 3/4" x 24 3/4" 
Edition size of 400
S/N by Artist and Three (3) fighter pilots

Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang - Me262

On 10 April 1945 thirteen hundred bombers of the Mighty Eighth set out to destroy the last of the Luftwaffe's jet force. But, unknown to the bomber crews and their fighter escort, the enemy jets were already airborne and waiting to spring their deadly trap. As the war in mainland Europe entered its final, bloody phase, the German Armies defending Berlin fought on with a savage determination, slowly disintegrating before the mighty weapon of war unleashed against them. What remained of the Luftwaffe was mercilessly pounded from the air, their airfields hammered relentlessly. Aircraft, fuel, spare parts, ammunition and pilots all in short supply but still they fought on, with deadly effect. At the forefront of the German offensive and pivotal during the defense of the Reich, were the highly advanced jet fighters of the Luftwaffe, and in particular the legendary Me262.

This classic edition has been authenticated with the original signature of Wayne Gatlin himself, alongside some of the Luftwaffe's most famous exponents of the jet. In addition the prints are personally signed by a staggering number of WWII's most experienced allied fighter pilots, all of whom had victories against the jets of the Luftwaffe they were the Jet Hunters!

Signatures:

Limited Edition - 3 signatures

• Major General WAYNE C. GATLIN - On 10 April 1945 he destroyed the Me262 jet portrayed in the main painting immediately damaging another.
• Squadron Leader JUREK MENCEL - Downed an Me262 on 9 April 1945.
• Colonel JOE PETERBURS - Shot down the Me262 of Walter Schuck, on the 10th April, 1945.

Pilot's Edition - 12 signatures
Issued with the magnificent pencil companion print Black November Day and the main print is additionally signed by a further four pilots who scored victories over German jets:

• Lieutenant Colonel DON CUMMINGS - One of only two fighter pilots to shoot down two Me262's during WWII on 25 Feb 1945 - 6 1/2 victories in total.
• Colonel ART JEFFREY - The first pilot ever to score a victory over a jet when he downed an Me163 on 29 July 1944 - 14 victories in total.
• Captain WAYNE L. COLEMAN - Destroyed an Me262 on 31 March 1945 - 4 victories in total.
• Lieutenant Colonel HUIE LAMB - Shot down an Me262 on 15 October 1944 and then an Arado 234 Blitz-Bomber on 19th March 1945 - 2 victories in total.
  
  The companion drawing is signed by five of the Luftwaffe's iconic Me262 pilots:
  
  
• Major ERICH RUDORFFER - JG7 with 12 victories in the jet - 222 victories in total.
• Oberleutnant WALTER SCHUCK - JG7 with 8 victories in the jet - 206 victories in total.
• Major HANS-EKKEHARD BOB - JG2 & JV44 - 60 victories in total.
• Feldwebel ERNST GIEFING - JG7 with 2 victories in the jet - 6 victories in total.
• Leutnant NORBERT HANNIG - JG7 - 42 victories in total.

Pilot's Edition Artist's Proof - 14 signatures
With all the components of the Pilots' Edition, the main print in the strictly limited Artists Proofs are additionally signed by two USAAF Fighter Pilots who scored victories over German jets:

• Major General EDWARD GILLER - Destroyed an Me262 on 9 April 1945 - 3 victories in total.
• Captain CLAYTON "KELLY" GROSS - Shot down an Me262 on 14 April 1945 - 6 victories in total.

Jet Hunters Edition - 20 signatures
Issued with all the components of the Artist Proofs, this TWENTY signature edition has been additionally signed by an Me262 night-fighter pilot and seven P-51 pilots, all with victories over Luftwaffe jets:

• Major URBAN DREW - The fourth pilot ever to shoot down an Me262 and one of only two pilots to destroy two, on 7 October 1944 - 6 victories in total.
• Lieutenant Colonel DON BRYAN - Destroyed an Arado 234 jet on 14 March 1945 - 13 1/2 victories in total.
• Lieutenant Colonel RALPH DELGADO - Shot down an Me262 on 2 March 1945.
• First Lieutenant STEPHEN ANANIAN - Downed an Me262 on 9 Feb 1945 - 4 victories in total.
• Captain JOHN FITCH - Downed an Me262 on the 18th November 1944.
  
  The companion drawing Black November Day is additionally signed by:
  
  
• Leutnant JORG CZYPIONKA - Me262 Night-Fighter with NJG 11 - a total of 2 victories in the jet.