Ambush!

The German Me262 jet fighters, used primarily to attack USAAF heavy bomber formations in early 1945, were very vulnerable to fighter attacks during take-off and landing. The Allies had therefore adapted a strategy of having fighters patrol in the vicinity of Me262 bases, waiting for the return of the German jets from their missions. These ambushes soon proved highly effective, with the Luftwaffe losing many jets to the guns of the USAAF. To counteract the mounting losses special units were formed, equipped with the Focke- Wulf 190D-9 (“Dora Neun”), regarded by many as the Luftwaffe’s finest piston-engined fighter of the war. Manned by experienced veterans of JG52 and JG54, they were tasked with providing top cover for the jets at their airfields at Munich, and Ainring near Salzburg. In order to make these aircraft clearly discernable to the German anti-aircraft gunners, their undersides were painted red with white stripes. The aviation art print 'Ambush' by Heinz Krebs depicts Lt. Heino Sachsenberg in his Focke Wulf 190D-9 “Rote 1”, as he turns into P-51s over the airfield of Ainring in an attempt to protect the approaching jet fighters from the Mustangs’ attack.

 

Printed on heavy stock acid-free paper and issued with a certificate of authenticity.

Limited Edition

• 750 numbered copies, individually signed by the Artist and Fw190 ace Willi Reschke, as well as Me262 pilots Alfred Ambs and Ernest Giefing, plus Mustang aces Robert Winks and Clinton Burdick.
• 200 Gold Edition copies, individually signed by the Artist and countersigned by all regular edition signatories plus Gen. Günther Rall, third-highest scoring fighter ace in history and P-51 ace Col. C.E. ‘Bud’ Anderson. (sold out)