Franz Stigler escorts the B-17 Ye Olde Pub art print
Franz Stigler escorts the B-17 Ye Olde Pub art print
Franz Stigler autographed art print
Franz Stigler with the B-17 Ye Olde Pub art print
B-17 Ye Olde Pub nose art
Franz Stigler in his Bf 109
Franz Stigler in the cockpit of his Bf 109
8th Air Force veterans autograph the prints
8th Air Force B-17 aircrew
B-17 "Champagne Girl"
A piece of Bf 109G

The Guardian by Nicolas Trudgian

  • DESCRIPTION
  • EDITIONS
  • SIGNERS
  • December 20, 1943: The German fighter pilot was taking a great risk. He had seen the faces of the wounded crewmen and decided to spare the damaged B-17 and more—to escort the plane out of Germany. If a civilian or soldier on the ground reported him, the fighter pilot would face a firing squad. In the eyes of his country during war, he was a traitor. But to the defenseless American crew, he was their guardian.

    Now, they had hopes of reaching England again, thanks to the mysterious German ace who held his fire. One day, the crew would know his name—Franz Stigler. In 1990, they’d invite Franz to their bomb group reunion where they’d introduce their families to the man who gave them the greatest of gifts—the chance to live.

    Shipping added in checkout // print size: 32" x 22.5" // ships rolled in a tube

  • MAIN EDITION - Low Supply!
    490 limited-edition prints, signed by Nicolas Trudgian. Includes 5 veteran signatures: Franz Stigler (separate signature, perfect for matting with your print), 379th BG B-17 pilot Roland Martin, Bf 109 pilot Gernot Heinrichsdorff, B-17 pilot Clayton Nattier, and B-17 pilot Fred Wiese. Includes two photos related to Franz & Charlie and a COA with "History Behind the Art."

    VICTORY EDITION - Low Supply!

    390 limited-edition prints, signed by Nicolas Trudgian. Includes 8 veteran signatures: Franz Stigler (separate signature, perfect for matting with your print), 379th BG B-17 pilot Roland Martin and B-17 gunner Hugh McGinty, Bf 109 pilot Gernot Heinrichsdorff, B-17 pilot Clayton Nattier, B-17 gunners "Lucky" McGinty, Mitch Mischler & Bill Roche. Includes metal relics from a B-17 & Bf 109 downed during WWII, COA with "History Behind the Art" and two photos. A no-interest payment plan is available upon request, email us to learn more.

    OPEN EDITION
    Open edition print, signed by Nicholas Trudgian. Includes COA. 

    ARTIST PROOF - Sold Out
    190 limited-edition prints

    PUBLISHER PROOFS - Sold Out
    180 limited-edition prints

    OTHER EDITIONS
    A Valor Studios giclee edition will be released. A Signer Proof edition of 100 prints exists, not-for-sale. An Artist Reserve edition of 30 prints & 30 canvases exists.

  • "The Guardian" includes a brilliant collection of signatures from WWII heroes! Signers vary print by print. Please click "editions" to see which veterans' autographs accompany which prints.

    CHARLIE BROWN (extracted signature w/Publisher Proofs)
    379th BG, 527th Sq., 21-year-old B-17 pilot "Ye Olde Pub" & "Carol Dawn," 32 combat missions. Enjoy the video below of Charlie describing his encounter with Franz Stigler:  



    DON CARLSON
    466th BG, 786th Sqn, 20-year-old B-24 Pilot

    JOE CLARKE
    34th BG, 18th Sqn., 20-year-old B-17 pilot "Ramblin Rebel." Ditched in Channel. Bailed out over UK. 31 Combat Missions.

    JORG CZYPIONKA
    JG-300/NJG-11, Bf 109 & Me 262 pilot with 2 victories

    RICHARD FULLER
    379th BG, 525th Sqn., B-17 Waist Gunner on "Petrol Packing Mama"

    GERNOT HEINRICHSDORFF
    Luftskriegsschule 3 (Air War Officer School), 19-year-old Bf-109 pilot. Later served as infantry due to lack of fuel.

    HENRY HEINTZ
    388th BG, 563rd Sqn., B-17 pilot

    HARRY HURLBURT
    379th BG, 525th Sq., B-17 bombardier on "Four of a Kind." Wounded in action, ditched in Channel, rescued by P. Guinness of Guinness beer!

    HUGH MCGINTY
    379th BG, 524th Sqn., B-17 Tail Gunner on "The Blue Blazing Blizzard." Flew in the same formation as Lt. Charlie Brown!

    ELMER "LUCKY" MCGINTY
    95th BG, 339th Sqn., B-17 Gunner on "I Dood It." 29 combat missions. Brother of Hugh McGinty.

    E. E. MISCHLER
    94th BG, 333rd Sqn., 19-year-old B-17 gunner on "Pride of the Yanks." Appears in the famous war-time film, "Target for Today."

    NEWT MOY
    398th BG, 603rd Sqn., 23-year-old B-17 pilot who flew 26 combat missions.

    DON NATE
    490th BG, 851st Sqn., 20-year-old B-17 bombardier on "£5 With Breakfast." 32 Combat Missions.

    CLAYTON NATTIER
    306th BG, 369th Sqn., 21-year-old B-17 pilot of "Heavenly Body." Shot down over Merseburg, Germany.

    MIKE QUERING
    487th BG, 838th Sqn., 18-year-old B-17 gunner with 34 combat missions. Wounded in action. Original cadre of the 487th Bomb Group.

    BILL ROCHE
    452nd BG, 731st Sqn., 20-year-old B-17 gunner on "Lucky Lady III." Shot down twice, interred with the Red Army.

    SAM SATARIANO
    379th BG, 527th Sq., B-17 pilot of "Piccadilly Willie" and "Lakanukie." Flew 28 combat missions. Original cadre of the 379th Bomb Group!

    KURT SCHULZE
    JG 5 & JG 51 Bf 109 pilot with 103 combat missions and 3 victories.

    FRANZ STIGLER (extracted signature)
    JG 27 & JV 44 Bf 109 & Me 262 pilot with 487 combat missions and 28 victories.

    FRED WIESE
    351st BG, 508th Sqn., B-17 pilot of "The Little One," "Merrie Christie," "Lucky Jewell," and "Annie Marie." 36 combat missions. 

    EBERHARD WOERZ
    Nahaufklärungsgruppe 8 (Close Recon Group 8) Bf-109 pilot

$495 USD

Select your edition:
THE REAL DEAL
Our autographed products are hand-signed by the heroes who were there!
THE VALOR STUDIOS DIFFERENCE
We financially compensate our veteran signers for their autographs.
GET 'EM WHILE YOU CAN
Nearly all of our prints are limited-editions bearing an exclusively assigned number.
HISTORICAL TREASURE
Once a signed item sells out, it often appreciates in value due to its rarity.