STORY BEHIND THE ARTWORK

"Clearing the Path to Utah" by Artist Craig Tinder

This signed and numbered limited-edition relic artwork is offered in Gallery-Wrapped Canvas presentation. The 18×12 edition is limited to 30 total pieces, and the 30×20 edition is limited to 20 total pieces. Each artwork includes an authentic historical relic and Certificate of Authenticity and is hand-signed by artist Craig Tinder.

The Story Behind the Print: 

In the early hours of D-Day, June 6, 1944, while the world’s attention focused on the Allied invasion of Normandy, aircraft from all over England were preparing in support missions. Two American B-26 Marauders, B-26F 42-96263 ("Spooky") and B-26B 42-96050, from the 394th Bombardment Group, 587th Bombardment Squadron, were en route to support the invasion when they collided mid-air at approximately 5:05 AM. Poor weather conditions, including limited visibility, clouds, and light rain, were believed to be contributing factors in the accident. Eyewitness reports were limited, but hearsay indicated that one aircraft was flying beneath the overcast sky while the other descended from a black cloud, leading to the tragic collision.

The 394th Bombardment Group was tasked with a vital mission in support of the D-Day landings: to neutralize German gun batteries at Saint-Martin-de-Varreville, located just off Utah Beach in Normandy.

The B-26 Marauders of Formation Box III set course for the gun batteries shortly before the first waves of Allied troops landed on the beaches. Despite heavy flak from German anti-aircraft defenses, most of the squadron successfully completed their bombing runs, ensuring that the batteries would not interfere with the landings below.

Tragically, however, two aircraft—B-26F 42-96263 and B-26B 42-96050—never reached their target. Shortly after takeoff, these two Marauders collided mid-air over Gillingham, Kent, England.

Visit the Journal to read the full story!

Commissioned by Museums, Treasured by Collectors

This item is handmade by artist, Craig Tinder. Available to ship worldwide!

ABOUT THE RELIC

This original aluminum fragment is from B-26F 42-96263 "Spook" which took off from RAF Boreham at 5:05am on 6 June 1944. Due to poor visibility that morning, eyewitness testimony saw two B-26s break from a large dark cloud and collide over Gillingham, Kent, England. Both aircraft, B-26F 42-96263 (Aircraft: 5W-S) and B-26B 42-96050 (Aircraft: 5W-L) were en route to attack enemy gun positions just behind Utah Beach.  

Clearing the Path to Utah - B-26 Marauder Aviation Art-Art Print-Aces In Action: The Workshop of Artist Craig TinderB-26F serial number 42-96263 airframe fragment

This fragment along with many other recovered aircraft components were acquired by Aces In Action in 2022 and were originally on display at the Blake Hall Airscene Collection, Essex, UK. To further this story of rememberance, Artist, Craig Tinder depicted a scene of that very bomb squadron making their way to the shores of Normandy.Clearing the Path to Utah - B-26 Marauder Aviation Art-Art Print-Aces In Action: The Workshop of Artist Craig Tinder"Clearing the Path to Utah" Framed Canvas with Relic

MATERIAL & DISPLAY

HERITAGE ALLOY™

Heritage Alloy™ is the next generation of Aces In Action Relic Artwork. Made from a rigid aluminum composite material, its smooth surface delivers exceptional color, contrast, and fine detail with a luminous quality that is difficult to fully capture in photographs.

Each Heritage Alloy™ edition incorporates our exclusive Artifact Dock™, integrating the authentic historical relic, its provenance, and limited-edition identification directly into the artwork. Available Ready to Hang or finished in a solid black wood frame.

GALLERY-WRAPPED CANVAS

Select Relic Artwork editions remain available on our traditional gallery-wrapped canvas while inventory lasts. Canvas provides a classic, textured fine-art presentation and is available Ready to Hang or finished in our traditional black floater frame.

AVAILABLE SIZES & FORMATS

  • 18" × 12" (45.7 × 30.5 cm) — Heritage Alloy™ or Gallery-Wrapped Canvas; Ready to Hang or Framed
  • 30" × 20" (76.2 × 50.8 cm) — Heritage Alloy™ or Gallery-Wrapped Canvas; Framed
  • Custom sizes may be available upon request

READY TO HANG

Every Relic Artwork edition arrives ready for display. 18" × 12" Heritage Alloy™ Ready-to-Hang editions include an installed rear wall-mount bracket, while Gallery-Wrapped Canvas arrives ready to hang without an external frame. Framed editions include installed hanging hardware. No additional framing or mounting is required before display.

RELIC MATERIAL & VARIATION

Unless otherwise stated, the relic included with your artwork is a fragment taken from the larger historical component shown in the reference photos. The size, shape, color, markings, and appearance of each relic may vary based on the original material available. Reference photos are provided to document and illustrate the source of the relic material and may not depict the exact fragment included with your artwork.

ABOUT CRAIG TINDER

ARTIST • HISTORIAN • RELIC CURATOR

Craig Tinder has spent more than two decades creating historically researched artwork that connects collectors with the people, machines, and events that shaped history. His work goes far beyond illustrating an aircraft, ship, or vehicle—the research and historical artifacts behind each piece are an integral part of the artwork.

Craig works with museums, aircraft and vehicle restoration organizations, veterans, historians, collectors, and other historical institutions around the world to locate and document authentic artifacts with meaningful connections to the subjects he depicts. He supplements this physical evidence with extensive research using museum collections, military records, historical photographs, archives, and other primary and secondary sources from around the world.

In his workshop, Craig carefully prepares and incorporates these genuine historical relics into his signed and numbered artwork, preserving their provenance while giving artifacts that might otherwise remain unseen a new way to tell their story.

Meet Craig Tinder →

SHIPPING & CARE

SHIPPING

Each Relic Artwork edition is individually handcrafted and completed by Craig Tinder. From engraving and assembling the Artifact Dock to preparing the relic, framing the artwork when selected, and completing the final inspection and packaging, every piece is finished specifically for its collector. Please allow additional time for this hands-on process before your artwork ships.

Gift wrapping is available for Relic Artwork, making it ready for presentation upon arrival.

DISPLAY & CARE

All Relic Artwork arrives ready to display. Unframed 18" × 12" editions include a rear wall-mount bracket, while framed editions arrive with hanging hardware installed.

Premium Relic Artwork editions are designed for long-term display. Keep artwork away from prolonged direct sunlight, excessive moisture, and extreme temperature changes. Dust gently with a clean, soft, dry cloth and avoid household cleaners or abrasive materials on the artwork, frame, relic, or Artifact Dock.

ACES IN ACTION JOURNAL

Explore Further

Discover the people, missions, machines and events behind this artwork with the complete story in the Aces In Action Journal.

Clearing the Path to Utah: B-26 Spook Lost on D-Day

Read the Full Story

THE RELIC ARTWORK EXPERIENCE

Authentic History

Each edition incorporates an authentic historical relic, presented on a custom laser-engraved Artifact Dock with details connecting the artifact to its history.

Handmade by Craig Tinder

Every Relic Artwork edition is assembled in Craig's studio, where it is signed, numbered, crafted, inspected, and prepared for its collector.

Made for Collectors

From the Certificate of Authenticity to the finished presentation, each detail is designed to create a collectible that preserves a tangible connection to history.