The Battle For New Year’s Day

In this spectacular painting the P51 Mustang ‘Moonbeam McSwine’ of Captain ‘Whiz’ Whisner leads Red Section of the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, into the defence of their airfield at Asch in Belgium. At the dawn of that New Year’s Day 1945, in the teeth of fierce strafing by German fighters of JG11, Whisner was to be responsible for four of the twenty three Luftwaffe planes shot down during the battle by the 352nd ‘Bluenosers’.

The Big Guns

In late 1944, responding to relentless Soviet offensives, the very best of the Luftwaffe heads towards the Front
in the long and bitter struggle to defend the homeland. The Me 109Gs of JG52, including those of the greatest aces of all time,
Erich Hartmann and Gerhard Barkhorn, share the sky with the most highly decorated soldier of the Third Reich,
Hans-Ulrich Rudel, in his tank-busting Ju87G of St.G2.

Snow Warrior

One of the most successful of the Luftwaffe fighter units, JG54 ‘Green Heart Warriors’,
first came to prominence during the Battle of Britain over south-east England. In early
1941 the unit moved to the Eastern Front in preparation for the invasion of Russia, and
it was in this theatre that they became synonymous both with the relentless struggle
against the military might of the Soviets and also, during successive winters, the battle
simply to survive the severe weather conditions.

To commemorate the ‘Green Heart Warriors’ Nicolas Trudgian has painted JG54
Fw190s in February 1943 taxiing out on to their unit’s snow-blanketed airfield in
Krasnogvardeisk, Russia to begin another fighter sweep of the front lines. For the long
winter months the aircraft were camouflaged in the livery considered to be one of the
most attractive of all Luftwaffe paint schemes; overall white with the distinctive yellow
theatre markings. Later, with the Spring thaw, the white was replaced by the unit’s
more familiar green paint as they constantly adapted themselves to the ever-changing
battlefront conditions.

By the end of the war the Geschwader had claimed over 9500 victories and produced
over 100 aces, one of whom, Major Erich Rudorffer, has graciously signed each print
of this Limited Edition.

The Signature

Major Erich Rudorffer KC, Oak Leaves, Swords

Erich Rudorrfer downed his first aircraft a French Hawk 75, on May 16th 1940, during the Battle of France. This was the first of an incredible 223 aerial victories achieved over 950 combat missions. Already a Knights Cross holder for 19 victories in France, Rudorffer flew the Bf109E with 2./JG2 ‘Richtofen’ during the Battle of Britain. Seeing action throughout the war, he was master of the multiple victory, claiming 13 soviet aircraft in under twenty minutes on Nov 6 1943. Made Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG7, flying the Me 262, he scored 12 victories with the jet.

We are delighted to announce the release of a brand new Nicolas Trudgian Limited Edition;

‘THE BATTLE FOR NEW YEAR’S DAY’

To commemorate one of the greatest aerial victories of the war in Europe, Nicolas Trudgian has painted the 352nd Fighter Group’s ‘Bluenosers’ earning a place in history for their lightning response to the surprise attack on their airfield at Asch, Belgium by the Luftwaffe at dawn on New Year’s Day 1945.

Asch was one of the targets of a German assault, codenamed ‘Operation Bodenplatte’, on many Allied airfields in the Low Countries that morning. The element of surprise served the Luftwaffe well, except at Asch where the 352nd’s commanding officer, Lt. Col. J. C. Meyer, had the foresight to keep the American pilots at readiness for just such an eventuality. So rapid and courageous was the American response that the German attack was repelled, and the 352nd Fighter Group’s 487th Fighter Squadron was subsequently awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation.

Each print of this Limited Edition has been signed by no fewer than SIX pilots of the 352nd Fighter Group ‘Bluenosers’.*

They are:

Lt Col DONALD S. BRYAN DSC, DFC (2 OLC), Air Medal (14 OLC), DUC

Major ALDEN P. RIGBY Silver Star, Air Medal (7 OLC), DUC

Capt. ROBERT ‘PUNCHY’ POWELL DFC (2 OLC), Air Medal (3 OLC), DUC

Col WALTER E. STARCK DFC (2 OLC), Air Medal (OLC), Purple Heart, DUC, AFCM

Lt Col CHESTER V. HARKER DFC (1 OLC), Air Medal (10 OLC), DUC

Lt Col RAYMOND R. MITCHELL DFC, Air Medal (5 OLC), DUC

*The Canvas Giclee Edition is signed by the artist solely, in paint.

MAIN EDITION UK £120 US $195
352 numbered prints signed by the pilots of 352nd FG.

REMARQUE EDITION UK £265 US $415
Each print has a unique original pencil drawing added to it by the artist.
30 numbered prints signed by the pilots of 352nd FG.

CANVAS GICLEE EDITION Stretched: £325 $550 Rolled: £275 $470
20 numbered 36″ X 22″ canvas reproductions of the original oil painting.

For future release:
VETERANS’ EDITION
30 numbered prints signed by veterans of 352nd FG.

VETERANS’ REMARQUE EDITION
6 numbered prints signed by veterans of 352nd FG, with original drawing.

RECENT RELEASES

‘The Big Guns’ and ‘Snow Warriors’

THE BIG GUNS - AN UNRIVALLED COLLECTOR’S ITEM !

‘The Big Guns’ Remarque Edition - a superb new depiction of JG52 with unequalled signatures makes this the most collectable Nicolas Trudgian Remarque Edition ever! Limited to only 25 prints worldwide, each is signed by no less than ten Knights Cross holders from the legendary JG52, and a Knights Cross holder radio-operator of Schlachtgeschwader 2 ‘Immelmann’. The signatures are:
Gunther Rall, Knights Cross with Oakleaves and Swords JG52
Walter Krupinski, Knights Cross with Oakleaves JG52
Alfred Grislawski, Knights Cross with Oakleaves JG52
Adolf Dickfeld, Knights Cross with Oakleaves JG52
Viktor Peterman, Knights Cross JG52
Franz Woidich, Knights Cross JG52
Rudolf Trenkel, Knights Cross JG52
Walter Wolfrum, Knights Cross JG52
Edmund Rossmann, Knights Cross JG52
Heinz Ewald, Knights Cross JG52
Hans Krohn, Knights Cross 2 ‘Immelmann

There are so many great signatures that the original Nicolas Trudgian pencil drawing that accompanies each remarque print is supplied on a separate sheet and can be drawn to your own specifications. The combination of stunning image and amazing signatures means that this remarque edition will be in great demand so order now
Image size: 21″wide x 14″high Overall size: 24″wide x 18″high
£395 US$670

Also available; ‘The Big Guns’ Canvas Giclee Edition: the only opportunity to obtain a full-size reproduction of Nicolas Trudgian’s original beautiful painting, ‘The Big Guns’. Limited to 25 canvas prints. Stretched on wooden formers ready for framing, or rolled for free shipping (require stretching by your picture framer). See Shipping information below.
Picture: 36″ wide x 24″ high. Signed in paint by the artist.
£275 US$465 or £325 US$640
order now

‘SNOW WARRIORS’ - A beautiful Limited Edition print by Nicolas Trudgian.

One of the most successful of the Luftwaffe fighter units, JG54 ‘Green Heart Warriors’ is here depicted by Nicolas Trudgian taxiing out on to their snow-blanketed airfield in Russia, 1943. A vibrant and detailed portrayal of Fw190A-4s, each Remarque and Main Edition print is signed by one of the highest scoring German aces of all time, Major Erich Rudorffer, who flew with JG54 on the Russian Front.

Image size: 20″wide x 15″high Overall size: 24″wide x 20″high

Snow warriors Main Edition
300 numbered and signed by:
Major Erich Rudorffer and the artist.
UK £75 US $145

Snow Warriors Remarque Edition
Each print is inscribed with a unique original pencil drawing by the artist which can be drawn to your specifications.
30 numbered and signed by:
Major Erich Rudorffer and the artist.
UK £220 US $430

Snow Warriors Canvas Giclee Edition
20 full-size canvas reproductions of the original oil painting:
36″ wide x 24″ high. Signed in paint by the artist.
Stretched on wooden formers ready for framing, or rolled for free shipping (require stretching by your picture framer). See Shipping information below.
UK £325 US $640
order now

Shipping: We are pleased to offer free shipping worldwide of all orders over £70/$140. (Stretched Canvas Giclee Editions of Snow Warriors shipped at cost outside the UK. Rolled canvases shipped free.)

All Limited Edition prints by Nicolas Trudgian are signed and numbered by the artist and issued with a Certificate of Authenticity from the publisher.