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Of the many famous combat aircraft to serve their respective countries in the Second World War, two perhaps more than any others, created huge impact and consternation upon seasoned opposing pilots when they first appeared on the battlefront - the Supermarine Spitfire and the Messerschmitt Me262. Both in their day represented enormous advances in aircraft design and power, and both have continued to capture the imagination of aviation enthusiasts ever since.
As the war progressed the Spitfire continually up-graded its performance and by the time the Luftwaffe's new Me262 turbo-jet arrived on the scene the sleek new Mk XIV, powered by the awesome Griffon engine, was among the fastest Piston-engine fighters of the war. The stage was set for a clash between the most powerful piston engine fighter and the world's first turbojet, and it was not long before the pilots of these two most advanced combat aircraft met in the hostile skies over Western Europe.
Ill-advisedly employed by Hitler as the wonder-bomber, the Me262 was initially issued to Bomber Units, one of which being KG51. Tasked with undertaking lightning fast raids upon advancing Allied ground forces, the shark-like jets employed their spectacular speed advantage to surprise, strike and escape. Not to be outdone, the RAF responded with their supremely fast Spitfire XIVs which had already proved themselves highly effective against Germany's VI flying bombs.
In his spectacular painting, Nick Trudgian recreates a typical moment: Spitfire Mk XIV s of 41 Squadron have intercepted and damaged a Me262 of KG51 and, with smoke and debris pouring from its damaged Jumo 004 Turbojet, the stricken Luftwaffe jet will be lucky to make it home. A dramatic painting and a fine tribute to the RAF's contribution to the Victory in Europe.
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