STORY BEHIND THE ARTWORK

"Fighter Sweep Over Kent" 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:

27 November 1940 - Just weeks after the final major air raids of the Battle of Britain, Germany’s Luftwaffe resumed their "Freie Jagd" (Free Hunt) missions over southern England. These fighter sweeps, which allowed German pilots to engage Allied aircraft without the need to protect bombers, were an attempt to reassert control over the skies. On this clear autumn day, at approximately 15:45 hours, Spitfires from the 41st and 74th Squadrons of the Royal Air Force scrambled to intercept the incoming German fighters.

Among the Luftwaffe pilots that day was Gefreiter Joachim Hergesell of 3./JG 51, flying a Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4, call sign "Brown 2". As the dogfight escalated in intensity, Hergesell’s aircraft was targeted by an RAF Spitfire. After several minutes of combat, his Messerschmitt sustained a critical hit, leaving him with no choice but to make an emergency landing. Hergesell brought his crippled Bf 109 down at Sarnden Farm near Iden Green, Benenden, Kent. He survived the forced landing and was taken as a prisoner of war by British forces.

This incident occurred during the waning months of the Battle of Britain, a time when the Luftwaffe began to reduce its activity over the UK in favor of shifting resources to other fronts. In the weeks following Hergesell’s crash, the frequency of such engagements declined as the Luftwaffe began repositioning its forces for the upcoming invasion of the Soviet Union in Operation Barbarossa. This shift marked a turning point in the aerial battles over England, with the RAF solidifying its control of British skies and the Luftwaffe's attention turning eastward.

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 relic fragment is from Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4, W.Nr. 6218 - known as "Brown 2" piloted by Gefreiter Joachim Hergesell of 3./JG 51. The aircraft took multiple hits on 27 November 1940 and crashed at around 16.00 hrs. Near Iden Green. Much of the airframe remained buried until 1978, when excavation began by the Brenzett Aeronautical Museum. Identifiable components from the airframe, Daimler Benz 601 engine block, radiator, and wiring. From the Brenzett Aeronautical Museum collection. Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4, Daimler Benz 601 engine block, radiator, wiring fragments

Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4 W.Nr. 6218 fragments

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.

Fighter Sweep Over Kent: Bf 109E-4 Brown 2

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.