YELLOW TAILED
FW-190 D, 12./JG54, pilot Hans Dortenmann, Autumn 1944
original painting, oil on canvas, 70x35 cm

Hans Dortenmann was born on 11 December 1921 at Weingarten in the Württemberg region. He was serving in the army as an infantryman in April 1941 but he was transferred to the Luftwaffe and JG 54 on the Eastern front where he spent only couple of months. In June 1944 he was withdrawn from the Eastern front and relocated to Western front to join III./JG 54. Dortenmann was appointed Staffelkapitän of 2./JG 54,  which on 10 August became 12./JG 54. In late September the Gruppe received its first Fw 190 D-9 fighters, becoming operational on 12 October when after only a few weeks of training. At the request of Major Walter Nowotny 12./JG 54 under Leutnant Dortenmann went to Achmer to fly airfield protection for the Me 262 jet fighters of Kommando Nowotny, remaining there until 25 December.  Dortenmann was lately named acting Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG 54 on 30 December and remained in this role until 11 February 1945. On 1 January 1945, Dortenmann led III./JG 54 on Operation Bodenplatte. This operation ended the history of this unit in fact. On 29 March 1945, Oberleutnant Dortenmann was appointed Staffelkapitän of 3./JG 26. He was awarded the Ritterkreuz on 20 April for 35 victories.  In 150 combat missions, Hans Dortenmann was credited with 38 victories. He gained 16 victories over the Eastern front and 22 over the Western front, including one four-engine bomber and six Mustangs. He recorded 18 victories with Fw 190 D-9 (W.Nr. 210 003) making him the most successful fighter pilot with this type. Dortenmann painted his entire tail assembly Yellow so that his pilots may find him during and after the battle. Later other Staffel leaders did so as well. Purchase information: Original artwork - 70x35 cm - price 400 EUR Giclée reproductions Limited Giclée print edition Giclée reproduction on canvas, 340 gsm original size 70x35 cm price ... 60 EUR                                                                                                               place an ORDER Limited edition of 50, matting paper 230 gsm, format A2 (594x420 mm) price ... 25 EUR  Remarque is possible                      place an ORDER Shipping costs: prints:    EU -  5 EUR, outside EU - 10 EUR, delivery in around 2-3 weeks reproductions (without the "blind" frame):    EU -  10 EUR, outside EU - till 20 EUR, delivery in around 2-3 weeks PAYMENT is supported by: PAYPAL, Western Union, Eurogiro, wireless bank transfer, money order check, cash