Dark Defenders

In this aviation art print by Robert Bailey, Leutnant Joerg Czypionka takes off from his base at Burg (near Magdeburg) in Germany in early 1945, to defend the area from an incoming Lancaster raid. 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 Joerg flew "Red 6". Another 262 takes off while Lt. Czypionka climbs for height. Below, we see two night fighter Me­-110's warming up for night missions, with ground crew standing by. A Me-109 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.

Limited Edition

• 400 Studio Edition signed by the artist only
• 70 Limited Edition with THREE co-signatures
• 20 Artist’s Proofs with THREE co-signatures
• 10 Remarqued Edition with THREE co-signatures
• 13 Aircrew Edition - Not for sale by publisher.

Signatures

Leutnant Jorg Czypionka (flew the 262 jet)
Leutnant Hans H. Busch (flew the 262 jet)
Oberleutnant Kurt Schulze (flew the Me-109)