Original Artwork Print: “Fighter General” Painting of German Luftwaffe JV44 Fighters over Downed B-24; Signed by Artist and 4 German Flying Aces – 38″ x 30″, in Museum Grade Frame Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely rare framed print of Robert Taylor’s painting FIGHTER GENERAL, originally released in 1997 and paying tribute to Luftwaffe Flying Ace General Adolf Galland. It has been matted and put into a museum grade frame measuring 38″ x 30″.

On April 26, 1945 Adolf Galland flew his last fighter mission with the rank of General. Leading his famous Jagdverband 44 (JV-44) Squadron of Experts, flying the remarkable Messerschmitt Me262 jet fighter, he took off from Munich-Riem and climbed to intercept a Marauder group near Neuburg high above the Danube River. After destroying one and damaging a second, his aircraft was hit by an attacking P-47 Thunderbolt. Galland was injured but managed to outrun the chasing aircraft to crash-land on the Munich airfield. So ended one of the most outstanding war-time flying careers in the history of aviation.

Adolf Galland’s spectacular career began with the Condor Legion in the Spanish Civil War in 1937. At the outbreak of World War II he flew in Poland, then France, and the Battle of Britain, taking command of JG-26 in June 1940. When the RAF fighters went on the offensive in early 1941, it was Galland’s Me109s that dueled with Douglas Bader’s Tangmere Wing in the epic aerial battles over the English Channel. By the end of that year Galland became the youngest general in the German forces, taking over the role of Commander of all day and night fighters. After increasing disagreements with the Luftwaffe supremo, Reichmarshal Hermann Goering, Galland was dismissed, only to have the order countermanded by Adolf H, who briefed Galland to take command of the JV-44 jet fighter Wing.

Robert Taylor, much admired by Adolf Galland, has painted a superb picture of the General in his Me262, leading JV-44 during the last few weeks of the war during the final defence of Germany. The scene is early April 1945: Having completed a successful bomber interception high above Salzburg, the Me262s are returning towards Munich-Riem at full throttle, hugging the deck to avoid the attentions of USAAF escort fighters. Below the crew of a B-24, brought down in the air-fighting, has survived a dramatic crash-landing amid spectacular surroundings.

This is summarized in the paragraph below the framed print, which reads:

FIGHTER GENERAL
by
Robert Taylor

General Adolf Galland leads the Me262 jet fighters of JV-44 as they hedge-hop back to base at Munich-Riem. They are returning from a bomber interception above Salzburg during the final phase of W.W.II – April 1945. The crew of a B-24 Liberator, brought down in the air-fighting, has survived a dramatic crash-landing amid spectacular surroundings.

Additionally, the print is signed by artist Robert Taylor on the far left, and by four veterans of JV44, all of which are flying aces.:

– General Adolf Galland
– Major Hans-Ekkehard Bob
– Leutnant Gottfried Fahrmann
– General Walter Krupinski

A great display item ready for further research and display!