Czech Hurricane

Fine Art Prints by Automobilist

Czech Hurricane

None of the Allied airmen in the Battle of Britain wanted to fly with Czech pilot Sgt. Josef Frantisek DFM. Simply put, he was a renegade who "fought his own war” and was a danger to anyone flying in his formation.

Because of this, the RAF and No. 303 Polish Squadron only allowed him to fly as a "guest” in a "spare” Hawker Hurricane.

In this composition, Sgt. Frantisek had already left his colleagues shortly after takeoff and was on a solo mission to make his first kill of the war near the coast of Dover: a Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 piloted by Lt. Detlev Rohwer. The German plane escaped the attack, but eventually crash-landed in the English Channel. Later in the day, Sgt. Frantisek would get his first actual kill—a different pilot in the same model plane, a Bf 109.

In the following five weeks, Sgt. Frantisek would add 16 more German planes to his kill list, making him one of the top aces of the Battle of Britain. His streak came to a tragic end on 8 October 1940 when he crashed during landing in Ewell, Surrey. Legend has it that he was trying to impress his girlfriend with an acrobatic approach when it happened. True or not, it’s true to his story—the story of a man who lived like a tempest and died in a Hurricane.

Magic behind our work

RESEARCH AND CONCEPT

Every image we create is based on a real-life historical event, so to assure accuracy, we put in long hours of research to piece together every little detail.

3D MODELLING AND 3D SCANNING

Once the concept is established, a 3D model is created using computer-generated imagery. Studying every piece of reference material available, Automobilists’ artists, then, digitally rebuild the vehicle from scratch, slowly constructing layer upon layer with painstaking detail – even down to the last coat of paint.

PHOTOSHOOT

With pre-production complete, it’s time to go on-location and start shooting photographs. This stage can last for several days and involves crews of up to 70 people, depending on the concept. The highest grade of professional equipment is used to ensure the highest quality and resolution images, and extensively detailed sets are also built when required.

PRINT TECHNOLOGY

We only use the very best Epson fine art printers, and premium Hahnemühle paper due to its fine texture, which guarantees long-lasting colour and saturation.

AUTHENTICITY

Each Fine Art print is special and carries a unique number. Medium and Large Fine Arts are also accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

WORLDWIDE DELIVERY

We ship all medium and large artworks worldwide. Framed artworks are heavy and fragile, please contact us for appropriate shipping and handling options.

FRAMING

Our framed options comprise a dark brown hand-made oak frame with an embossed matt, anti-reflective glass and adequate packaging for safe transportation. Individual framing options are available upon request.