STORY BEHIND THE ARTWORK

"Intruder Patrol" by Artist Craig Tinder

Now available exclusively in Heritage Alloy™, with three display options: 18"x12" Ready to Hang, 18"x12" Framed, or 30"x20" Framed. Each art piece includes an AUTHENTIC RELIC, Certificate of Authenticity, and is hand-signed by artist Craig Tinder. Quantities are extremely limited—once the edition is sold out, it will never be reproduced.

The Story Behind the Print:

16 February 1943 - De Havilland Mosquito NF Mk II DD792 of No. 23 Squadron departed RAF Luqa, Malta at 1:38 a.m. on an intruder patrol to Sicily. Carrying the squadron code YP-B, the aircraft was assigned to operate against Axis targets in the vicinity of Trapani as part of ongoing RAF efforts to disrupt enemy operations throughout the Mediterranean theater.

No. 23 Squadron was among the early units to employ the Mosquito in offensive night operations. Fast, long-ranged, and difficult to intercept, the Mosquito proved well-suited for intruder missions that carried crews deep into enemy-controlled airspace. Operating primarily at night, these patrols sought to interfere with Axis air activity and place additional pressure on airfields and transportation networks supporting operations in Sicily and North Africa.

During or shortly after the combat phase of its mission, DD792 was lost near Porto Palo on the southeastern coast of Sicily. While the precise circumstances remain uncertain, the aircraft failed to return to Malta and was subsequently recorded as missing. The mission reflects the increasingly aggressive role played by Mosquito crews during the Mediterranean air campaign and the expanding use of the aircraft in offensive operations beyond Allied territory.

Commissioned by Museums, Treasured by Collectors

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

ABOUT THE RELIC

The relic fragment included with this artwork originates from Mosquito NF Mk II DD792, the aircraft depicted in the scene. Recovered from the crash site near Porto Palo, Sicily, these aluminum airframe sections remain in remarkably preserved condition.

Some fragments retain portions of its original wartime camouflage finish, including much of the brown upper-surface paint along with traces of green. 

Surviving Mosquito relics with identifiable provenance are increasingly difficult to obtain. Constructed primarily of wood, relatively few wartime Mosquito airframes survived compared to many contemporary combat aircraft, making authenticated components such as these particularly uncommon today.

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.

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.