Heinrich Ehrler's rudder - recreated- who could look away from that wicked looking cartoon-ish Eagle, rendered by his squadron artist? Underneath the Eagle is the number 100- and under that is the type aircraft over which he reached that impressive score (a Hawker Hurricane). But Ehrler was just getting started, as he more than doubled that score.
Most are familiar with Ehrler's story - like so many Aces, he accumulated most of his kills in the Bf-109, flying against mainly Russian forces in Norway. He was court-martialed after the Battleship Tirpitz was blasted by the RAF in Norwegian waters, but was professionally spared because of a shortage of qualified pilots to defend the Reich. After joining the jet forces and racking up some Me262 kills, on his last sortie, he famously shot 2 B-17s down and then decided to ram a 3rd. "See you in Valhalla" was his last transmission as he gave his all for his country. This is difficult for many of us to reconcile as the war was rapidly coming to an end, and NOT in Germany's favor. Regardless, Ehrler will go down as one of the top scoring greats in fighter aviation history.
Item is full sized, standing at 4' 2" tall.
Most are familiar with Ehrler's story - like so many Aces, he accumulated most of his kills in the Bf-109, flying against mainly Russian forces in Norway. He was court-martialed after the Battleship Tirpitz was blasted by the RAF in Norwegian waters, but was professionally spared because of a shortage of qualified pilots to defend the Reich. After joining the jet forces and racking up some Me262 kills, on his last sortie, he famously shot 2 B-17s down and then decided to ram a 3rd. "See you in Valhalla" was his last transmission as he gave his all for his country. This is difficult for many of us to reconcile as the war was rapidly coming to an end, and NOT in Germany's favor. Regardless, Ehrler will go down as one of the top scoring greats in fighter aviation history.
Item is full sized, standing at 4' 2" tall.
Picture Mashup with Ehler and his recreated rudder. Ehrler is clearly ready to go flying.
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Artwork is on both sides.
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