BROTHERS IN ARMS

A historic new release from the studio of Richard Taylor!

With his younger brother Lothar flying close to port, top-scoring Ace Manfred von Richthofen – the Red Baron – leads the Fokker Dr.I tri-planes of Jasta 11, part of his famous ‘Flying Circus’, into a position from which they can attack a formation of RFC Bristol F2.B fighters encountered high over the Western Front on 12 March 1918.

Of all the flying Aces in the history of air combat few have matched the legendary status attained by one of the earliest – Baron Manfred von Richthofen, ‘The Red Baron’ – who, with 80 confirmed victories, was the highest-scoring pilot of the First World War. Flying a distinctive red fighter that would become a familiar sight to friend and foe alike, he led the four squadrons of his equally colourful and much-feared Jagdgeschwader I – his famous ‘Flying Circus’ – from its formation in June 1917 until his death in combat on 21 April 1918.

Slightly less well known in the pantheon of history was Manfred’s younger brother, Lothar, who was not only a pilot and a prolific Ace in his own right but, as commander of Jagdstaffel 11, one of the four squadrons composing the ‘Flying Circus’, he often flew and fought alongside his older brother. One such encounter followed moments after the scene brilliantly depicted by Richard Taylor in his detailed drawing Brothers in Arms; it took place high over the war-torn trenches of the Western Front between Cambrai and St Quentin on Tuesday 12 March 1918. With ‘The Red Baron’ leading, the pilots of Jasta 11 spotted a formation of Bristol F2.Bs from 62 Squadron Royal Flying Corps. Soon they were banking and diving into attack and in the ensuing mêlée Manfred notched up yet another victory to add to his growing tally, whilst Lothar accounted for two more.

Just NINE copies of this stunning publication are available worldwide!

It’s easy to see why the precise quality of Richard’s drawings elevates him to one of the most gifted exponents of pencil work in the industry. Completed in a combination of graphite, wash and coloured highlights on antique buff paper in a style that has gained him recognition around the globe, the original drawing has now been faithfully reproduced as a high quality giclée fine art print on archival paper.

To make every print in this highly-restricted edition completely unique, each has been returned to Richard’s studio for the inclusion of TWO specially-commissioned pencil Remarques in the lower border depicting each of the legendary brothers.

Completing these very special portfolios and adding great historical importance, prints are then mounted to full conservation standards to include the rarely seen ORIGINAL and AUTHENTIC signatures of both Manfred and Lothar von Richthofen that have been sourced over a number of years and their scarcity accounting for the very limited number available:

• Baron MANFRED von RICHTHOFEN (1892 - 1918) – 80 victories
• Oberleutnant LOTHAR von RICHTHOFEN (1895 - 1922) – 40 victories 

Approx. overall matted size: 20 ¾” wide x 18 ¼” high
Image size: 13 ½” wide x 8 ½” high