"Dark Defenders"
Sheet Size: 24" x 34" • © 2005
Print Editions
70 Limited Edition
With THREE co-signatures.
$245
20 Artist's Proofs
With THREE co-signatures.
$295
10 Remarqued Edition
With THREE co-signatures.
$395
400 Studio Edition
Signed by the artist only.
$160
13 Aircrew Edition
Not for sale by publisher.
In early 1945, Leutnant Jorg Czypionka takes off from his base at Burg-bei-Magdeburg in Germany, to defend the area from an incoming Lancaster raid.
Signatures
Leutnant Jorg Czypionka (flew the 262 jet)
Leutnant Hans H. Busch (flew the 262 jet)
Oberleutnant Kurt Schulze (flew the Me-109)
The Story
Lt. Czypionka is one of the very few Luftwaffe pilots who flew the revolutionary Messerschmitt 262 jet during night operations in WWII. This was the Kommando Welter 10/NJG11 and Jorg flew 'Red 6.' Another 262 takes off while Lt. Czypionka climbs for height. Below, we see two night fighter Me110's warming up for night missions, with ground crew standing by. An Me109 is parked after its day's work. Because a black-out was in effect, runway lights were lit for only a few minutes. For the same reason, a mechanic hastily closes a workshop door to prevent light from being seen by marauding Allied fighters.
