STORY BEHIND THE ARTWORK

"Old Reliable" by Artist Craig Tinder

Now available in two exclusive formats: a 30"x20" Hardwood Framed Canvas Edition - Limited to Only 20 and an 18"x12" Canvas (Framed or Unframed) - Limited to Only 30. Each art piece includes an AUTHENTIC RELIC, Certificate of Authenticity, and is hand-signed by the Artist. Quantities are extremely limited—Once They're Sold Out, They're Gone!

This Limited Edition Fine Art Print autographed by Artist Craig Tinder depicts the White Star Line's "Old Reliable" - the nickname for the RMS Titanic's sister-ship, the Olympic, while in pursuit of her would be attacker, the German U-Boat U-103 on 12 May 1918.

The Story Behind the Print:

On 12 May 1918, the RMS Olympic, known by her wartime designation as HMT Olympic and affectionately called “Old Reliable,” was repurposed from luxury liner to serve as a vital transatlantic troop transport during World War I. The largest ship pressed into wartime service at the time, she was freshly camouflaged and carried thousands of American troops across the Atlantic. This mission would mark one of the most dramatic moments in her career. Early that morning, as Olympic steamed through hostile waters, she was shadowed by the German U-boat U-103, which was preparing to launch a stern torpedo attack.

Spotting the danger, the crew of Olympic quickly manned her deck gun, striking the U-boat and rendering it immobile. Despite the initial success, Olympic's captain made the bold decision to continue the assault. Weighing 46,000 tons, Olympic charged at the helpless U-103 and, with her massive propellers cutting through the submarine’s hull, rammed the vessel. U-103 sank within minutes, making it the only warship to be sunk by a passenger merchant vessel during World War I.

This incredible act of naval warfare highlighted Olympic’s adaptability and solidified her status as "Old Reliable," a moniker earned not only for her wartime service but also for her resilience and reliability throughout her career. The sinking of U-103 remains a unique event in military history, a testament to the exceptional circumstances that led a luxury liner to become a symbol of Allied strength during the Great War.

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 is a genuine fragment from the deck of the RMS Olympic, the sister ship to the ill-fated Titanic, and represents a rare piece of maritime history. Built by Harland & Wolff in Belfast and launched in 1910, the Olympic was part of the White Star Line’s trio of iconic transatlantic liners. Known as the "Old Reliable," the Olympic had a storied career, including service as a troopship during World War I and later returning to transatlantic voyages. The ship continued to sail until her decommissioning and scrapping in 1935.Pieces from the deck of the Olympic used in the "Old Reliable" limited edition print

During the scrapping process, much of the ship’s deck and interior fittings were repurposed. One of the most fascinating chapters in the Olympic's post-service life is the use of her decking as floorboards in the Haltwhistle Paint Factory, located in the UK. In 2004, Aces In Action acquired a series of deck fragments directly from K. Jackson, the former facilities contractor at the Smith & Walton Haltwhistle Paint Factory. These deck fragments, once walked upon by passengers of one of the most famous ocean liners in history, were carefully removed and preserved, offering collectors a unique connection to the Olympic's illustrious past.Piece from the deck of the Olympic used in the "Old Reliable" limited edition print

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-wood black 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
  • 36" × 12" (91.4 × 30.5 cm) — Panoramic Heritage Alloy™ or Gallery-Wrapped Canvas; Framed on select artwork
  • Custom sizes are 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.

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.