The Blonde Knight by Robert Taylor


The Blonde Knight by Robert Taylor features the JG 52 Me109 of Erich Hartmann on the Eastern Front.

During an astonishing three year period on the Eastern Front Erich Hartmann downed 352 enemy aircraft to become the highest- scoring Ace in history. It is a record likely to stand for all time.

Posted to JG52 over Russia in August 1942 his new Kommodore, Dieter Hrabak, placed the novice pilot under the guidance of ‘Paule’ Rossman, one of the unit’s most experienced and respected Aces. However during his very first combat Hartmann became so disorientated that he got lost in cloud and ran out of fuel. His undoubted skill as a pilot enabled him to survive the inevitable crash-landing, but a few days later and just minutes after scoring his first-ever victory, he was shot down – again crash-landing. This time he only just escaped from his burning aircraft before it exploded.

Any other new pilot might have succumbed but Hartmann was made of sterner stuff and, with Rossman’s help and guidance, it wasn’t long before everyone in JG52 realised that he possessed exceptional skill.

By the summer of 1943 ‘the Blond Knight’ and his colleagues were flying up to six missions a day and having now perfected his technique, it was unusual for him to finish a day without a victory. Never claiming to be an expert marksman, his approach, which took nerves of steel and great flying skills, was to get as close to his enemy as possible before opening fire at the last minute. Often flying ‘head on’, the risks of collision and damage were great – of the sixteen times Hartmann was brought down, eight were as a result of flying into the debris of his victim!

Hartmann’s 352 victories were achieved with JG52 – all except one. It happened during a brief two week spell at the beginning of February 1945 when the top Ace was placed in temporary command of I./JG53. His new unit were based in Hungary where German Army Group South was in bitter retreat and the fighting was as tough and relentless as ever.

Each print in Robert Taylor's Limited Edition, The Blond Knight, is signed by two acclaimed Luftwaffe Aces who flew on the Russian Front:
Unteroffizier HUBERT-LUDWIG PFLAUM   Iron Cross
Hauptmann KARL-FRITZ SCHLOSSSTEIN   German Cross in Gold / 8 victories.

Artist:

Robert Taylor


From:

Military Gallery


Edition:

375



Size:

32 x 24 inches overall including borders.



£0.00 £215.00
0 Rewards Points
QTY
Out Of Stock

We also recommend

Wings of Glory by Robert Taylor

Wings of Glory by Robert Taylor

£165.00
Looking for Trouble by Robert Taylor

Looking for Trouble by Robert Taylor

£215.00
No Turning Back by Robert Taylor

No Turning Back by Robert Taylor

£195.00
The Eagles Divide by Robert Taylor - Collectors Edition

The Eagles Divide by Robert Taylor - Drawing

£65.00
The Doolittle Raiders by Robert Taylor

The Doolittle Raiders by Robert Taylor

£250.00
Bold, Reckless and Supreme by Robert Taylor

Bold, Reckless and Supreme by Robert Taylor - Collectors Ed - Pencil

£150.00
Desert Sharks by Robert Taylor - Pencil Drawing

Desert Sharks by Robert Taylor - Pencil Drawing

£110.00
Eagles on the Channel Front by Robert Taylor

Eagles on the Channel Front by Robert Taylor

£195.00
Day Duties for the Night Workers - Robert Taylor

Day Duties for the Night Workers - Robert Taylor

£70.00
Height and Sun by Robert Taylor

Height and Sun by Robert Taylor

£125.00
The Bridge at Remagen by Robert Taylor

The Bridge at Remagen by Robert Taylor

£0.00
Morning Thunder by Robert Taylor

Morning Thunder by Robert Taylor

£200.00
The Mighty Eighth - Coming Home by Robert Taylor

The Mighty Eighth - Coming Home by Robert Taylor

£495.00
Russian Roulette by Robert Taylor

Russian Roulette by Robert Taylor

£215.00
Balloon Buster by Robert Taylor

Balloon Buster by Robert Taylor

£515.00
Air Apaches on the Warpath by Robert Taylor

Air Apaches on the Warpath by Robert Taylor

£295.00
At the Day's End by Robert Taylor

At the Day's End by Robert Taylor

£95.00
The Battle of the Coral Sea by Robert Taylor

The Battle of the Coral Sea by Robert Taylor

£295.00
Malta - George Cross by Robert Taylor - Spitfire Edition

Malta - George Cross by Robert Taylor - Spitfire Edition

£195.00
Most Memorable Day by Robert Taylor - Drawing

Most Memorable Day by Robert Taylor - Drawing

£75.00

The item has been added to your basket

Continue Shopping
Proceed To Checkout