P-47 Thunderbolt - Blitz Week historical relic artwork by Craig Tinder
P-47 Thunderbolt - Blitz Week historical relic artwork by Craig Tinder
P-47 Thunderbolt - Blitz Week historical relic artwork by Craig Tinder
Blitz Week - P-47D Thunderbolt Aviation Art-Art Print-Aces In Action: The Workshop of Artist Craig Tinder
P-47 Thunderbolt - Blitz Week historical relic artwork by Craig Tinder
P-47 Thunderbolt - Blitz Week historical relic artwork by Craig Tinder
P-47 Thunderbolt - Blitz Week historical relic artwork by Craig Tinder
P-47 Thunderbolt - Blitz Week historical relic artwork by Craig Tinder
P-47 Thunderbolt - Blitz Week historical relic artwork by Craig Tinder

AUTHENTIC RELIC ARTWORK BY CRAIG TINDER

P-47 Thunderbolt - Blitz Week | INCLUDES: Airframe Relic

$124.99
Write A Review
Print Sizes
Print Sizes: A) 18"x12" Canvas WITH RELIC

Pairs well with

Authentic historical relic · Signed & numbered by Craig Tinder · Certificate of Authenticity included
STORY BEHIND THE ARTWORK

"Blitz Week" 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 Fine Art Print by Artist Craig Tinder depicts P-47D Thunderbolt 42-22459 of the 78th Fighter Group during Little Blitz Week, a turning point in the air war over Europe.

The Story Behind the Print:

30 July 1943 - P-47D-2-RA (Serial No. 42-22459) of the 78th Fighter Group, piloted by George Hartman, provides bomber escort on the mission to Kassel, Germany, to attack the Focke-Wulf factory. Outnumbered by 3-to-1, the 78th FG encountered over 100 German fighters attacking the bomber formations. Seven P-47s were lost this day to the Luftwaffe's loss of 16 aircraft. This period marked the end of "Blitz Week", the beginning of the Combined Bomber Offensive that initiated the continual aerial bombardment that stretched into Fortress Europe to strike targets at the heart of Germany. 

The 78th Fighter Group (Interceptor) was constituted on January 13, 1942, and activated on February 9, 1942. It was renamed the 78th Fighter Group in May 1942 and initially trained with P-38 aircraft while serving as part of the air defense organization. In November and December of 1942, the group moved to England and was assigned to the Eighth Air Force.

In early 1943, the 78th Fighter Group lost its P-38s and many of its pilots, who were reassigned to the Twelfth Air Force for service in North Africa. The group began combat operations from England in April 1943, flying P-47 Thunderbolts, and later transitioned to P-51 Mustangs in December 1944. Throughout its combat role, the group conducted many bomber escort missions, protecting bombers that targeted industries, submarine yards, V-weapon sites, and other strategic locations across the continent.

The group also engaged in counter-air operations, strafing and dive-bombing enemy airfields, trains, vehicles, and troops. It played key roles in major operations, including Big Week in February 1944, the Normandy invasion in June 1944, the breakthrough at St. Lo in July 1944, the Battle of the Bulge from December 1944 to January 1945, and the airborne assault across the Rhine in March 1945.

The 78th Fighter Group received two Distinguished Unit Citations (DUC) for its service. The first was for its role in covering troop carrier and bombardment operations during the airborne attack on Holland in September 1944, while the second was awarded for destroying numerous enemy aircraft on five airfields near Prague and Pilsen in April 1945. After returning to the U.S. in October 1945, the group was inactivated on October 18, 1945.

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

On December 27, 1944, P-47D-2-RA (Serial No. 42-22459) was on a ground attack mission near Bastogne, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge, assigned to the 406th Fighter Group. The Thunderbolt was struck by heavy enemy flak, causing it to lose control, roll, and crash into the Ardennes Forest. Although the larger parts of the airframe were removed in the post-war years, smaller relic fragments remained at the crash site. These fragments were eventually recovered in the 1980s by Belgian aviation archaeologist W. Jacobs.

This event highlighted the crucial role of air support during one of the most pivotal battles of World War II, where the 406th Fighter Group provided vital air cover and close air support to ground forces fighting against the German offensive.

P-47D-2-RA No. 42-22459 fragment

P-47D relic with manufacturer stamp

MATERIAL & DISPLAY

PREMIUM ALUMINUM

Our newest presentation format delivers exceptional color, contrast, and fine detail on a smooth gloss surface. The result has a luminous quality and clarity that is difficult to fully capture in photographs. Framed aluminum editions are finished in a solid black frame for a clean, contemporary presentation.

TRADITIONAL CANVAS

The original Aces In Action presentation features gallery-wrapped canvas, with framed editions presented in our traditional black floater frame. Canvas offers a classic, textured fine-art presentation and remains available on select Relic Artwork editions while inventory lasts.

AVAILABLE SIZES & FORMATS

  • 18" × 12" (45.7 × 30.5 cm) — Premium Aluminum or Canvas; available framed or unframed
  • 30" × 20" (76.2 × 50.8 cm) — Premium Aluminum or Canvas; framed
  • 36" × 12" (91.4 × 30.5 cm) — Panoramic Premium Aluminum or Canvas; framed on select artwork

READY TO HANG

Every Relic Artwork edition arrives ready to hang. Unframed 18" × 12" editions include a rear wall-mount bracket, while framed editions arrive with hanging hardware installed. No additional framing or mounting is required before display.

ABOUT CRAIG TINDER

Craig Tinder is an artist and historical researcher whose work brings significant moments in military and aviation history to life. For more than 20 years, he has combined detailed research with traditional and digital illustration techniques to create historically accurate artwork for collectors, veterans, museums, and historical organizations.

Craig has been commissioned to create artwork, installations, and memorial projects for museums, military organizations, and historical institutions throughout the United States. His work is held in museum and private collections around the world, reflecting a career built around historical accuracy, craftsmanship, and preserving the stories behind the subjects he depicts.

Every Aces In Action artwork is created by Craig Tinder, making Aces In Action the official home of his historical artwork and collectibles.

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.