Two Trophies, One Kill, Zero Nazis

Fine Art Prints by Automobilist

Two Trophies, One Kill, Zero Nazis

In the Battle of Britain, the Allies wanted nothing more than to shoot down planes, capture pilots, and prove that all Germans were Nazis. When Uffz. Hans-Georg Schulte was forced to crash-land after the Spitfires of No. 41 and No. 222 RAF squadrons overpowered his Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4, the Allies only got two out of three.

The plane they grounded did not bear the insignia of its group, nor, more importantly, a swastika on its tail. The story behind it was a battle of principle.

Jagdgeschwader 53 was the official name of Uffz. Schulte’s flying wing, but it was better known by its nickname and logo, the "Ace of Spades”. When Hermann Göring was informed that the leader of Jagdgeschwader 53, Hans-Jürgen von Cramon-Taubadel, was married to a Jewish woman, he ordered their insignia removed, and that a red band be painted around the nose of each plane as punishment. The entire squadron responded by removing the swastika from their tails in protest.

The shot down Messerschmitt was put on display in Sheffield as a symbol of Allied success against Nazi tyranny, and to raise money to build more Spitfires, but it should have also been an icon of hope—that love of one’s country does not equal love of its ideology.

Magic behind our work

RESEARCH AND CONCEPT

Every image we create is based on a real-life historical event, so to assure accuracy, we put in long hours of research to piece together every little detail.

3D MODELLING AND 3D SCANNING

Once the concept is established, a 3D model is created using computer-generated imagery. Studying every piece of reference material available, Automobilists’ artists, then, digitally rebuild the vehicle from scratch, slowly constructing layer upon layer with painstaking detail – even down to the last coat of paint.

PHOTOSHOOT

With pre-production complete, it’s time to go on-location and start shooting photographs. This stage can last for several days and involves crews of up to 70 people, depending on the concept. The highest grade of professional equipment is used to ensure the highest quality and resolution images, and extensively detailed sets are also built when required.

PRINT TECHNOLOGY

We only use the very best Epson fine art printers, and premium Hahnemühle paper due to its fine texture, which guarantees long-lasting colour and saturation.

AUTHENTICITY

Each Fine Art print is special and carries a unique number. Medium and Large Fine Arts are also accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

WORLDWIDE DELIVERY

We ship all medium and large artworks worldwide. Framed artworks are heavy and fragile, please contact us for appropriate shipping and handling options.

FRAMING

Our framed options comprise a dark brown hand-made oak frame with an embossed matt, anti-reflective glass and adequate packaging for safe transportation. Individual framing options are available upon request.