My name is Sture Gripenberg and I live in Helsinki, Finland. I have been working as a professional graphic artist and illustrator. In Helsinki 1957 I studied classic art, perspekctive and illustration.

Assisted by good teachers I found myself working in technical advertising. An aviation artist I became in the 90s. At that time the majority of our wartime combat pilots still lived. I was fascinated by the Finnish Airforce veteran pilots and their aircraft. I continued sketching and drawing. In 1986 I started Gripenberg Design Oy.
I was contacted by Börje Hjelm, former pilot and the founder of The Finnish Aviation Museum. He knew that I was an artist and that I painted aviation motives. His words to me “You draw and paint, I will obtain the signatures of our veteran pilots and the Museum will sell your artwork”.
That way I had the Honour of meeting many of our veteran pilots. I am very thankful for the opportunity to join the meethings of these men and listen to their stories. Getting inspired.

A while ago my wife an I have moved to Espoo a few miles outside of Helsinki. There I have a small studio and can soon present my new improved homepage to you. On the site you will find some new colour paintings and pencils drawings. As an artist on pension I will now concentrate on drawing and painting aviation and maritime motives. You can as before order prints, but now from AVIAart Sture Gripenberg. “AVIArt” is a benefit for all because it clearly states the the form of my activity. Looking ahead I will concentrate myself on aviation and marine motives and of course on my customers.

If you vant to purchase a print you can visit the Finnish Air Force Museum at Helsinki-Vantaa airport. In the centre of Helsinki the art shop “ INTER-ART”, Fredrikinkatu 39 will assist you. Phone 09640100.
You can make your choice and also have your artwork framed.

During these years my favorite objects have been the aeroplanes of the Finnish Air Force, but occasionally visions of space and space flight has crossed my mind. A Marsian red mountain landscape could be a mind stopping vision. So far just thoughts.Who knows, there might be water on the moon.

Best readers. I have noticed your frequent visits on my homepage. If you have questions on your mind just ask.
gdes@gdes.fi, +358 40-5131 064

Sture Gripenberg, January 2023

 

Avaiation

Thulin type D (Morane-Saulnier)

The Swedish Count Eric von Rosen donated 1918 to The Finnish Air Force, the first aeroplane of type D. Thulin, the engine was 90 hp rotary radial engine which gave a top speed of 115 km / h. In the finnish perspective, the donation had a significant effect. The gift plane was equipped with the coat of arms of von Rosen, which was a blue swastika. It became in 1918 the emblem of the Finnish Air Force until 1944. The symbol does not have any relations to Natzi Germany which much later introduced their swastika.

Edition: 300 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 38 x 27 cm.
Price 30:-€ +postage and packaging

Blackburn-Ripon II F

The aircraft was designed in England and the prototype flew in 1926. The Finnish Air Force orderd one piece 1928 and 25 more were produced under licence at the Finnish Aircraft Factory 1931 - 1934. The RI-159 depicted here was powered by a 620 hp Hispano-Suiza engine. The aircrafts were in use 1929 - 1944. Also shown here is the Finnish submarin Vesikko on the surface of the Gulf of Finland. The lighthouse Bengtskär visible in the background. The print has been signed by Snd. F. Saario.

Edition: 50 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 52 x 39 cm.
Price 35:-€ +postage and packaging

Lt. J. Sarvanto / Four Minutes

The Finnish fighter pilot Lt. Jorma Sarvanto performed a remarkable feat in Karelia. On January 6th 1940 Fokker D XXI took off for a defence task. At an altitude of 3000m Sarvanto spied an enemy formation of seven DB-3 bombers. He succeeded in manoeuvering in behind the last aircraft in the formation. A short burst from his machine guns silenced the rear gunner, then a few short bursts at close distance toward the engines, which caught fire. The burning bomber went down toward the ground. Lt. Sarvanto choose the next aircraft, and using the same tactics he shot down five more bombers. Sarvantos ammunition was now exhausted. He landed after a flight which had lasted for a total of just 35 mins. The actual dogfight resulting in six destroyed bombers lasted only four mins. Sarvantos Fokker did not get away unscratched. A total of 23 bullet holes were evident. In Finland’s Continuation War Sarvanto flew Brewster fighters and he was credited with a total of 16 combat victories. The print has Lt. Sarvantos name facsimile.

Edition: 50 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 52 x 39 cm.
Price 35:-€ +postage and packaging

Fighter squadron F-19 in Finland. Gloster Gladiator

In December 1939 the USSR attacced Finland without warning. Four Soviet armyes crossed the border, from Petsamo in the north to the Carelian Isthmus in the south. 180 000 troops and 3000 tanks gushed in. Helsinki and other major towns were bombed. The insufficient Finnish fighter defence consisted of Fokker DXXI, Bristol Bulldog and a few Gloster Gladiators. The F-19 squadron consisted of Swedish volunteers, both pilots and ground crews. The Swedish aircraft had Finnish national markings.The squadron consisted of 12 Gloster Gladiators and four Hawker Harts. The first combat missions were flown on January 12, 1940. The first victory was scored already on January 12. Ensign Ian Jacobi ( who signed the proof ) downed an I-16. F-19 scored a total of 8 victories. Worth mentioning is that Ensign Gideon Karlsson alone succeeded in shooting down a four-engined TB-3. The squadron lost three pilots and four aircraft. Lt. I. Iacobi has signed the prints.

Edition: 400 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 37 x 25 cm. Price 35:- € +postage and packaging

Polikarpov-153

The Finnish Army captured during the Winter War 11 Polikarpov I-153s and ten more was bought from Germany 1942. The fighters were mostly in use in a recconnaissance role. A total of 6 airvictories was taken with the little agil fighter. Depicted is a Soviet DB-3 shot down over the Gulf of Finland, returning from a bombing mission. Veteran pilot O. Siro has signed the prints.

Edition: of 50 numbered copies. Price 40 €. +postage and packaging

Morane Saulnier M.S. 406 / The Murmans Railway

France donated 50 aircraft, of which 30 were delivered during the Continuation War. 57 more were purchased from Germany, who had captured them from France. During the Continuation War the Moranes achieved 121 combat victories. The Continuation War saw a rapid development in combat aircraft, and the Moranes were no longer competitive. The picture shows an incident along the Murmansk railway. Finnish Morane pilots destroyed over 40 railway engines. During the war the Finns began to modernise the Morane. The 1100 hp Russian Klimov M-105P with identical mounting points replaced the original engine. Performance was indeed improved: climb rate increased appreciably, and the top speed increased to 525km/h.These aircraft was in active service until 1948. Veteran pilots A.Tani, E. Ehanti, and O. Siro has signed the prints.

Edition: 400 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 36 x 27 cm. Price 35:-€ +postage and packaging

Fiat G-50 Freccia

Fiat G-50 was a single-wing Italian fighter of all-metal construction. The engine was a Fiat air-cooled 14 cylinder double-radial engine delivering 840 hp. The maximum speed of the aircraft was 407 km/h at sea level. The armament consisted of two Breda-Safat 12,7 mm machine guns. In October 1939 the Finnish Air Force ordered 25 aircraft and later 10 more. The Fiat fighters were delivered to the LLv 26 fighter wing on February 1940, and they achieved a total of 88 combat victories. The own losses in combat was 3 aircraft. The painting shows Fiats takin off from Malmi airfield outside Helsinki. Veterans C. E. Bruun, E. Ehanti and O. Riekki, have signed the prints

Edition: 400 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 36 x 27 cm.
Price 35:-€ +postage and packaging

Brewster BW-364 / Wo. Ilmari Juutilainen

At the time when the Soviet Union attacked Finland in November 1939 the Finnish Air Force only had 41 usable fighter aircraft. Most of these were Fokker D.XXI, these were already at that time somewhat outdated. New fighters were urgently needed. In December 1939 44 new Brewster B-239 (F2A-1) aircrafts were purchased from the USA. The Finnish pilots appreciated the maneuverability of the Brewster, and they achieved an outstanding score, 477 enemy aircraft were shot down. Own losses were only 19 planes. Sgt. Eino Ilmari Juutilainen gained July 1941 his first airvictory with the new Brewster BW-364. He was to become the highest scoring ace in the Finnish Air Force. Shown here is Juutilainen:s BW-364 (orange 4) in Karelia north of lake Ladoga in January 1942.His downed opponent was a soviet Hurricane fighter. Sgt. Juutilainen was unique in meny respects. He scored a total of 94 aerial victories, 28 with Brewsters. In March 1943 Finnish Air Force recived Messerschitt fighters from Germany and Ilmari Juutilainen served the rest of the war with the new more efficient fighters. He was twise awarded the 2nd Class Mannerheim Cross. Juutilainen survived the war and died at his home 1999.

Edition: 50 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 39 x 26 cm. Price 50:-€ +postage and packaging

Hawker Hurricane I

At the end of the Winter War the Finnish Air Force acquired 12 Hawker Hurricane I fighters from England. The success of this airplane was rather modest in Finland. Lack of replacement parts kept the aircraft grounded, and only 51/2 combat victories were achieved by Hurricanes in the Continuation War. The HC-452 plane in the watercolour painting survived the war and is on display in the Finnish Aviation Museum at Tikkakoski close to the city of Jyväskylä. This fighter was credited with 2 1/2 combat victories. Eino Mertio recieved his Hurricane training 1940 in England and he was one of the pilots that brought the Hurricanes to Finland. Veteran pilots Eino Mertio and Aarno Siro have personally signed the 250 prints of the painting.

Edition: 400 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 36 x 27 cm. Price 35:-€ +postage and packaging

Curtiss Hawk 75 A (CU-560)

The Finnish Air Force had 44 Curtiss Hawks during the Continuation War (Finland v. Soviet) 1941-1944. The fighters were war-bounty bought from Germany. The fighter had a good manoeuvrability but was regarded slow (435 km/h) With the CU -560 the FAF gained 18 air-victories. Lt. K. Karhila won 8 of his 31 victories with the CU -560.
Depicted Lt. Karhilas sixth kill 1942 in Karelia, a PE -2 light bomber. Veteran pilots K. Karhila, J. Hillo, J. Arnkil and E. Harikko has signed the prints.

Edition: 400 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 36 x 27 cm.
Price 35:-€ +postage and packaging

Brewster BW-372 / Lt. L. Pekuri

Finnish Air Force Brewster BW-372 piloted by Lt. Lauri Pekuri on a reconnaissance task. Lt. Pekuri soon confronted enemy planes, four Hurricane fighters. In the ensuing dogfight he shot down one Hurricane, but was himself hit in the engine which started to burn. Pekuri soon realised he had to find a place to make an emergency landing. The only open spot in the forest-covered landscape was a lake, towards which he steered. The Brewster pilot goes in for a belly landing. The plane flips on its back, becomes filled with water and sinks. Lt. Pekuri extricates himself from the wreckage, and having reached the surface he kicks off his boots and swims to the shore. Then he penetrates 15 miles on foot through the wilderness to the Finnish lines. Lt. Pekuri survived the war, scoring a total of 18 1/2 victories, 7 with BW-372 Veteran pilots V. Pokela, O. Kauppinen, E. Pakarinen and A. Nyman has signed the prints.

Edition: 400 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 36 x 25 cm. Price 40:-€ +postage and packaging

Brewster BW-393 / Major Eino Luukkanen

The young Lt. E. Luukkanen was appointed leader of LLv 24`s 3rd Flight at the time equipped with Fokker D XXI fighters. He gained his first victories in the Winter War 1939. In the Continuation War 19411944 his squadron was equipped with new Brewster-Buffalo fighters purchased 1939 from USA. (44 pcs) BW-393 ( With 7 become Luukkanens personal mount. With the new tool he gained 14 additional victories. Depicted here his 16th kill ( Polikarpov I-16 ) over the Gulf of Finland. Lt. Luukkanen marked his victories in a very special way, with beer-bottle labels on the tailfin. In 1943 Major Luukkanen acted as commander of LeLv 34 equipped with Messerschmitt bf-109 fighters. He flew in all 441 combat missions and achieved a total of 56 arial victories. Major Eino Luukkanen was awarded the 2nd class Mannerheim Cross and is ranked as number 3 in the parad of finnish aces. Maj.E. Luukkanens sign. is a facsimile.

Edition: 100 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 39 x 27 cm. Price 45:-€ +postage and packaging

Brewster -Buffalo 239 / Mig-3 Wo. Ilmari Juutilainen

Wo. Eino Ilmari Juutilainen gained 1941 his first air victory with the new Brewster BW-364. Depicted here is Juutilainen:s BW-364 (orange 4) downing a Mig -3 fighter in Karelia. The Finnish pilots appreciated the maneuverability of the Brewster, and they achieved an outstanding resoult. 477 enemy aircraft were shot down, own losses were only 19 planes. He scored a total of 94 aerial victories, 28 with Brewsters. In March 1943 Finnish Air Force recived Messerschmitt fighters from Germany and Ilmari Juutilainen served with the new more efficient fighters to the end of the war. He was twise awarded the 2nd Class Mannerheim Cross. I. Juutilainen survived the war and died at his home 1999. The print is provided with I. Juutilainens name faksimile and the the Mannerheim crosses.

Edition: 250 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 40 x 29 cm. Price 40:-€ +postage and packaging

Messerschmitt fighter. Service at Suulajärvi

To keep the aircrafts in flying condition the mechanics performed every day small wonders. They were highly respected among the pilots for their working skills and ability to improvise. In the painting a Messersmitt fighter is rolled into a field shelter for service. Signed by pilot veterans Lt. K. Karhila and Lt.J. Brotherus.

Edition: 250 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 38 x 29 cm. Price 40:-€ +postage and packaging

Capt. Hans Henrik Wind.

As a young ensign he entered service 1941 in G. E. Magnussons LeLv 24 Fighter wing, where new Brewster fighters ware waiting. In Karelia he achieved his first victory with BW-367. At the controls of the Brewster he shot down a total of 39 enemy aircraft. On March 13th the first Messerschmitt fighters arrived in Finland. MT-201 became his personal mount, and new victories soon started piling up. The painting depicts Hans Wind´s 43rd´victory, which he won over the Gulf of Finland. During the great Soviet attack 1944 Hans Wind shot down 27 enemy aircraft in two weeks, a unique feat. “Hasse” achived a total of 75 victories on 302 combat missions. He was twice awarded the Mannerheim cross. During fierce fighting on the Karelian Isthmus Captain Wind´s fighter on June 28th 1944 received several hits in a dogfight with Airacobras. Severly wounded he managed to bring the aircraft back to his home base. This ended the war for Hans Wind. The prints has Capt. H. Winds name facsimile and is provided with the Mannerheim Crosses.

Edition: 250 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 41 x 29 cm. Price 45:-€ +postage and packaging

Messerschmitt MT 109 / Airacobra

Snd. Johannes Brotherus on patrol flight in Karelia with his Messerschmitt bf-109 (MT-246) He notised at distance another airplane, and turned closer. Red stars appered on the foreign aircraft but the type was unknown to Snd. Brotherus. With incresead speed in a slight dive he closed in on the aircraft, and was soon on firing distance. After a short cannonfire burst he pulled up.The enemy was on fire, but mysteriously aft of the cocpit. The doomed craft went slowly down leaving a swaying parachute in its wake. Appearently the pilot escaped. This happened in Karelia, May 1944. The downed plane fell on the finnish side of the border, and it appeard to be an American built P-39 Airacobra, and the first one known to operate on the finnish- russian front. Because of the P-39:s engine mounted behind the cocpit, it also explained the weird flames in the mid fuselage observed by Snd.Brotherus. The prints are signed by Snd. Johannes Brotherus

Edition: 200 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 41 x 29 cm. Price 45:-€ +postage and packaging

Messerschmitt / Morning mission

The importantness of beeig awake and alert has been noticed in all conflicts. To be prepared and ready for action is often a qustion of life or death. The men of LeLv.34 know this as they make the fighters ready for a morning mission. Enemy action has been reported and now they have to act.
Early scramble! Artists signature.

Edition: 100 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 36 x 25 cm. Price 30:-€ +postage and packaging

Messerschmitt Bf-109 G-2. “The Guardian of Viborg”

The MT-208 of the Finnish Air Force. After the war 1946 during a shooting practice major V. Pokela hade to make a forced landing in the sea, because the engine of his aircraft overheated. Major V. Pokela was rescued by a boat in the neighbourhood. The aircraft was later salvaged from the sea and is now on display in the Finnish Aviation Museum at Vantaa outside the city of Helsinki. The MT208 acieved 4 combat victories in the 1941-1944 war against the Soviet Union. The painting shows the MT-208 fighter aircraft over Viipuri in Karelia. The veteran pilots Väinö Pokela, Kyösti Karhila, Hemmo Leino and Erkki Alkio has signed the prints.

Edition: 450 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 36 x 27 cm. Price 45:-€ +postage and packaging

Yak-9. Stalin’s Hawk

In the continuation war between Finland and the USSR the most common fighters were the Yak series 1-7 and 9, and the Messerschmitt 109 G2 and G6 used by the Finnish Air Force. The planes had structural differences, but generally taken performance was nearly identical. Speed at low level 620640 km/h, but at 6000m and above the bf 109 was faster at approx, 680 km/h. Good visibility was an important feature of the Yaks. The cockpit offered a 360° view, and a head shield of plexiglass as a novelty. Good maneuverability and performance were characteristics of the Yak-series. The Yak-series were products of the Alexander Yakovlev design bureau. Some 37 000 aircraft were produced 1941-1945, of these over 16 000 were Yak-9s.
The prints are signed by veteran pilots H. Leino and K. Karhila.

Edition: 300 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 36 x 26 cm. Price 30:-€ +postage and packaging

Dornier Do17z

In Nov.1941 Reichsmarshal Herman Göring made a donation of 21 Dornier Do 17 bombers to the Finnish Air Force .The donation also included 300 000 kg of bombs. The aircraft were not new, but in good condition. Depicted here is Do-55, which arrived in Finland 13.1.1942. The bomber had been flown for 394 hours by the German Luftwaffe. This aircraft also performed the last combat mission of the Dorniers 4.4.1945. After the war the plane was used for aerial photography until 1947. The prints are signed by pilots and crew members O. Kepsu C.G. Gröndahl, V. Simanainen and H. Fennander.

Edition: 200 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 36 x 26 cm. Price 30:-€ +postage and packaging

Bristol Blenheim Mk IV BL-129

The Finnish Air Force had a total of 97 Blenheim bombers. The depicted BL-129 represented the long-nosed type. The aircraft arrived in Finland in June 1941, and in 1942 it was delivered to the reconnaissance wing. The depicted BL-129 is returning from a reconnaissance task followed by a Soviet Polikarpov I-16 “Rata”. Both are flying very low, and the Soviet pilot is in close pursuit, firing occasionally. The swirling loose snow may have disturbed or the pilot was inexperienced, as there were no hits. The BL-129 survived the war and served until 1946.
Veteran pilots L. Äijö, P. Tuisku and O. Rantava have signed the proofs.

Edition: 400 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 36 x 27 cm. Price 40:-€ +postage and packaging

Junkers Ju 88 A-4

The motive painted by Sture Gripenberg “Early departure” depicts preparations for takeoff in Eastern Finland at Onttola airfield in June 1943. The second squadron of bomber wing 44 awaits fuel and bombs at dawn. The aircraft are soon to be boarded, the atmosphere is tense. In the winter 1943 24 Junkers Ju 88 A-4 bombers were purchased from Germany. The aircraft represented the newest in bomber design. It was well equipped and the flight characteristics were excellent. The maximum bomb load was 2500 kg. The plane had a maximum speed of 470 km/h at 5000 metres. The four-man crew was seated in the front of the aircraft. The JK-262 arrived in Finland 11.4.1943, and it was destroyed in an unsuccessful landing caused by an engine problem 18.7.1944 The printed proofs of the watercolor painting are signed by pilots and crew members of the 44 bomber wing: M. Uotinen, I. Vuorela, K. Kemppinen, L. Lehtomäki, and M. Kiema.

Edition: 400 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 36 x 27 cm. Price 40:-€ +postage and packaging

Junkers Ju-87 “Stuka”

Because of Finlands serious situation Marshal Mannerheim asked for quick help from the German Luftwaffe in June 1944. Luftwaffe sent Detachment Kuhlmey to the rescue. It arrived in Immola 16.6. with 34 Focke-Wulf Fw-190 fighters and 44 Junker Ju-87 “Stukas”. Already on the same day the Fw-190 fighters took part in combat missions and 20.6. the Stukas performed their first bombing raid. The participation of Group Kuhlmey was of great importance for Finland. The enemy could not break through at Tali and Ihantala. In a few days the Fw:s achieved 71 combat victories. The German losses were 21 pilots and 33 aircraft. Silence has reigned in Finland concerning the exploits of Detachment Kuhlmey. Perhaps because very few documents about these operations exist in wartime archives. The help arrived suddenly, and the detachment departed equally quickly. The proofs are signed by Staffelkapitän Lt. Franz J. Schoppe.

Edition: 250 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 37 x 28 cm. Price 50:-€ +postage and packaging

Focke-Wulf Fw-190 F-8

The breakthrough of Soviet troops at Kuuterselkä 17.6.1944 created a very serious situation for Finland. Marshal Mannerheim requested quick help from the German Luftwaffe. The cry for help from Finland was immediately answered. The Luftwaffe sent Detachment Kuhlmey to the rescue. It arrived in Immola with 30 Focke-Wulf Fw-190 fighters and 34 “Jabos” Focke-Wulf Fw-190 F-8 which represented the factory’s bomber version. 44 Junkers Ju-87 “Stuka” also arrived. The Fw-aircraft participated in combat already on the same day, and 20.6.the Stukas and “Jabos” performed the first bombing operations at the front. The participation of Group Kuhlmey was of great importance for Finland. The enemy could not break through at Tali and Ihantala. In a few days the Fw:s achieved 71 combat victories. The German losses were 21 pilots and 33 aircraft. Lieutenant Franz-Josef Schoppe, whose personal mount was Focke-Wulf Fw-190 “Black 10” has personally signed the proofs.

Edition: 250 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 37 x 28 cm. Price 50:-€ +postage and packaging

Messerschmitt bf-110 / Peter Spoden

Messerschmitt bf- 110 was the tool of Peter Spoden. The aircraft made its first flight in1938. Provided with 2 Daimler-Benz 1 475 hp. engines, heavy firepower and speed over 500 km/h the bf -110 was a 40 soundly designed warplane and thus a dangerous opponent. Hovewer as a night fighter the bf-110 showed its versatilty. It was the backbone of Germanys nocturnal defence. After completed training Peter Spoden joined the German (luftwaffe) and 1943 he was assigned to a fighting unit, the NJG 5 night-fighters. During his two year long service he shot down 24 RAF heavy bombers over Germany. He was wounded in battle several times, and vas awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold for 22 victories.
Lt. Peter Spoden has ownhanded signed the prints.

Edition: 250 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 40 x 29 cm.
Price 45:-€ +postage and packaging

38 Messerschmitt Me-262 “Schwalbe”

The Me-262 represented a new era in fighter design technology. This remarkable creation of Willy Messerschmitt was both sweep-winged and turbojet driven, a wery unic feature in 1945. The American and British fighters was outperformed by the futuristic design. Unreliable engines and lack of planes however worked in favor of the Allies. Kommando Novotny was the first unit to recieve the fighter verision of he Me-262. JG 7 composed of elit fighter pilots was the moust successfull. JG 7 pilot Walter Schuck gained 8 moore kills with Me-262 (total 206) The pilots of Me-262 achived exellent results in the final months of the second worldwar. The pilots courage and the formidable creation of Willy Messerschmitt was not enough to turn the outcome of the war.
The prints are signed by fighterpilot veterans Walter Schuck and Hans Ekkehard-Bob.

Edition: 200 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 40 x 29 cm.
Price 50:-€ +postage and packaging

MCDonell F/A-18 Hornet

Hornet was elected in 1992 the Air Force the next interceptor. Single-site ordered 57 pcs 7 pcs and education coupe. Deliveries began in 1995. Twin seaters delivered from the United States, and single seated was assembled in Finland. By two General Electric F404 engines Hornet reaches more than 1 900 km / h and, if necessary, carrying seven tons of weaponry.

Edition: of 50 numbered copies. Price 40 € + +postage and packaging

AERO Oy:s first DC-3 (1946)

OH-LCA “Sotka” was the first of a series of five aircraft delivered to Finland. They were former U.S. Air Force C-47 planes. The conversion work was carried out by the Fokker factory in Holland. The passenger capacity was 21 pers. Ten DC-3:s were in operation until 1965. The proofs are signed by captains Börje Hielm, Seppo Saario, Mauri Maunola, radio operator Kosti Uotila and stewardess Kirsti Müller.

Edition: 200 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 40 x 29 cm.
Price 35:-€ +postage and packaging

Douglas DC-6

Kar-Air purchased 1964 2 Douglas DC-6 airliners. The airplane was a reliable four-engine long-range Airliner with a capacity of 102 passengers. In Finland the aircraft was mainly used in charter traffic and later also used in the cargo transport role. The prints are signed by T. Karhumäki and 8 DC-6 pilots.

Edition: 200 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 40 x 29 cm.
Price 35:-€ +postage and packaging

Super Caravelle 10B

In December 1962 Sud Aviation of France delivered a Super Caravelle to Finnair. It was named Oulu.
The new aircraft was equipped with Pratt & Whitney engines, which were more economical than the Rolls-Royce Avon engines used earlier. The flight radius increased by 700 kilometres to approximately 2300km. In the print OH-LSD is flying over the Helsinki Olympic Stadion. The Caravelle was a beautiful, stylish aircraft with pleasant flight characteristics, and it represented the most advanced technology of its time. The printed proofs are signed by P. Pulkkinen, B.Hielm, K .Karhila, M. Sorsa, A.Siirilä, H. Ahola and M. Nurminen.

Edition: 200 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 40 x 29 cm.
Price 35:-€ +postage and packaging

     
     
Pencil drawings

PENCILE DRAWINGS

Pencildraving represents an old artform now reappering among artlovers and collectors. The motifs are
aircrafts used by the Finnish Air Force.
The reproductions are numbered and printed on 160 / gr. quality paper. The edition size is 50 ex.
The printed area is 30 x 21 cm. Price euro 16,- / item.

VL Myrsky II

In 1939 the Finnish State Aircraft Factory recieved from the Air Force a construction contract for a domestic fighter. The concept chosen was a single-seat low-wing aircraft with retractable landing gear. A Pratt & Withney 1 115 hp powerplant was chosed. The prototype was assembled in 1941. After several test flights and modifications a final version was presented 1943, then already slightly outdated. The flying caracteristics were anyhow concidered satisfaying. In the end of 1944 all the 50 fighters were completed. Only a few combat missions were flown. The Myrsky project is unique because it it was the first and only combat aircraft planned and assembled in Finland. Signed by the artist.

Edition 50 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 32 x 19 cm. Price 16:-€ +postage and packaging

Brewster B-239 (start up)

During the winter war Finland was in great need of fighters. 1939 in a special arrangement with U.S.A. Finland was able to purchase 44 new Brewster B-239 fighters. However they didnt arrive in time to see action until 1940. In the hands of finnish pilots the Brewster appered to be an exellent fighter. The finns scored unbelivable 477 airvictories in the continuation war. The “Pearl of the sky” served until 1948. Pictured here is BW-375 starting up in eastern Finland 1944. With BW- 375 was 11 airvictories gained.

Edition: 50 numbered pc. Picture size 31 x 21 cm. Printed on 160/gr art-print paper. Price 16:-€ +postage and packaging

Brewster B-239 / Capt. Joppe Karhunen

In December 1939 44 new Brewster B-239 (F2A-1) aircrafts were purchased from the USA. The Finnish pilots appreciated the maneuverability of the Brewster, and they achieved an outstanding score, 477 enemy aircraft were shot down. Own losses were only 19 planes. The pearl of the sky served 1940-1948.

Edition 50 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 31 x 19 cm. Price 16:-€ +postage and packaging

Messerschmitt Bf -109 (alarm)

At the beginning of 1943 came from Germany bought 30 Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2 machines in Finland. Equipment, was needed because the opponent's equipment had been overwhelming. The new machines were effective, armament and speed (max 640 km.) Excellent high. Maj. O. Ehrnrothin commanded a squadron received 34 new machines use. The Air Force had a total of later 159 Messerschmitt most of which were G-6 version. The picture shows two alerted machine intelligence emerging from the task. The artist's sign.

Edition: 50 numbered pieces. Image Size 30 x 19 cm. Price 16:-€ +postage and packaging

PE-2 down / Ltn. Kyösti Karhila

Finnish pilots gained in the continuation war with Messerschmitt bf-109 fighters 663 air-victories. Here Lt. Kyösti Karhila with his Messerschmitt MT-224 is seen scoring his16:th airvictory over the Gulf of Finland. The doomed aircraft is a Petljakov PE-2. Lt. Karhila gained 1944 13 airvictories during the great Soviet attac. He scored on 304 missions a total of 32 airvictories. Artists sign.

Edition 50 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 31 x 19 cm. Price 16:-€ +postage and packaging

Bristol Blenheim Mk I

The Finnish Air Force orded 1936 from England 18 kpl BL Mk 1 bombers. The depicted aircraft BL-149 represented the shortnoused type witch is tanked up for a new mission. Totally the Finnish Air Force operated 97 Blenheim bombers. Artists sign.

Edition 50 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 32 x 19 cm. Price 16:-€ +postage and packaging

Messerschmitt bf -109 / Nils Katajainen

Wo. Nils Katajainen destroying an soviet observation balloon on the Karelian Istmus. This was an important task because it put a stop to the conducting of artillery gunnery from he enemy side. Wo. Katajainen was hurt in a forced landing in 1944 and spent the rest of the war in a military hospital. He gained 35 victories on 196 missions and was 1944 awarded the Mannerheim Cross. Artists sign.

Edition 50 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 31 x 19 cm. Price 16:-€ +postage and packaging

Junkers Ju-88

44 Squadron of the 3rd squadron of Junkers Ju-88 A4 (JK-266) return flight Onttola. JK-266 was in 1943 by Captain J. Saarinen's signature machine. Russian Yak-3 on distance events. Junkers Ju 88 A-4 bombers were purchased from Germany winter of 1943 24. Aircraft represented the newest and best equipment. Was well equipped and flight characteristics were very good. The maximum bomb load of 2,500 kg. The aircraft reached 470 km / h Quadruple the crew was placed in the front of the machine.

Edition: 50 numbered pieces. Image Size 30 x 19 cm. Price 16:-€ +postage and packaging

Saab J-35 Draken

The Swedish Draken project spearheded by Eric Bratt presented a new project 1951. The design incorporated a double-delta configuration aiming for good high speed performance and good low speed handling. Successful testresults led to an order for full- size prototypes. In 1960 a serial manufactured Draken J-35 broke the mach 2 barrier. The Finnish Air Force bought in 1960 12 Draken fighters. They were assembled in Finland by Valmet Oy. Totally the Finnish Air Force hade 47 Draken fighters in use. Artists signature.

Edition 50 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 32 x 19 cm. Price 16:-€ +postage and packaging

Naval

S/S Turso / Harbour Icebreaker

S/S Turso was delivered from the Helsinki Hietalahti shipyard 1940. After the end of the war 1944, the ship was turned over to Soviet Union as war-bounty. Turso assisted in Leningrad ( Petersburg ) harbour until 2004. Then the Turso Association in Finland bought the ship and she was repatriated to Helsinki. S/S Turso is now restored and is back on her former station in the harbour of Helsinki. Signed by the artist.

Edition: 50 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 48 x 34 cm. Price 30:-€ +postage and packaging

S/S Tjerimaj

In Amsterdam the keel of a new ship was laid down 1882. The newbuild was given the name Tjerimaj after a Javan vulkano. The new ship was a small barkrigged clipper whit a displacement of 1013 ton. She was to become the first ship of the Finnish ship-owner Gustav Eriksson. Tjerimaj was a succesfull design and she served her owner 12 fine years. After many hard voyages she met her destiny 1912 in a collision on the North-sea.
Tjerimaj become a total loss and her captain drowned.

Edition: 50 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 48 x 34 cm. Price 30:-€ +postage and packaging

Armored ship Ilmarinen

The Finnish armored ships Väinämöinen and her sistership Ilmarinen were launched from the Crichton-Vulcan shipyard 1932 and 1933. Operation ”Nordwind” 1941 become the end for Ilmarinen. A mine was cauht in the ships paravan cable and when the ship turned the mine struck the bottom of the hull. The ship keeled over and sunk in just 8 minutes. Only 132 men of the crew survived and 271 were lost.

Edition: 50 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 39 x 28 cm. Price 30:-€ +postage and packaging

New

Messerschmitt MT-457

Warrant officer Ilmari Juutilainen gained 94 aerial victories thus becoming the highest scoring pilot in the Finnish Air Force. Signed I. Juutilainen / facsimile.

Print size 38 x 26 cm. Price 45:-€ +postage and packaging

Hans Wind / MT-439

With MT-439 Capt. Hans wind gained unbelievingly 25 aerail victoiries in ten days, adding up to a total of 75 victories Sign. Hans Wind / facsimile

Size 37 x 26 cm. Price 40:-€ +postage and packaging

Messerschmitt bf-109 Preparations for an early mission

Signed by the artisr.

Overall size: 37 x 26 cm Price 35:-€ +postage and packaging

38 Messerschmitt Me-262 “Schwalbe”

The Me-262 represented a new era in fighter design technology. This remarkable creation of Willy Messerschmitt was both sweep-winged and turbojet driven, a wery unic feature in 1945. The American and British fighters was outperformed by the futuristic design. Unreliable engines and lack of planes however worked in favor of the Allies. Kommando Novotny was the first unit to recieve the fighter verision of he Me-262. JG 7 composed of elit fighter pilots was the moust successfull. JG 7 pilot Walter Schuck gained 8 moore kills with Me-262 (total 206) The pilots of Me-262 achived exellent results in the final months of the second worldwar. The pilots courage and the formidable creation of Willy Messerschmitt was not enough to turn the outcome of the war.
The prints are signed by fighterpilot veterans Walter Schuck and Hans Ekkehard-Bob.

Edition: 200 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 40 x 29 cm.
Price 50:-€ +postage and packaging

The finnish submarine VESIKKO

The project CV 7 07 was lounched 1933 from Chrichton-Vulcan yard in Turku. The Project CV 707 was a part of the secret rebuildingprogram of the German Reichsmarin.
The project spearheaded the technical development of a new type of submarine The hull, was welded electronically for higher tightness and greater divingpressure. ( Doubled diving depth 100 m) After trials carried out by German Reichmarin in Turku archipelago the project CV 707 was accepted as a prototype for the new German IIA class submarine. The Finnish government took over the ship in 1934 and she was named Vesikko.
Vesikko served in the Gulf of Finland. When the continuation war broke out in june 1941 Vesikko was orded to the eastern Gulf of Finland. In July she sunk with torpedoes a Sovjet merchant Vyborg. December 1944 Vesikko made her last patrol as a warship. Today the submarine Vesikko serves as a museum ship in Helsinki / Suomenlinna.

Edition: 200 limited and numbered prints. Printing size 36 x 54 cm. Price 35,- € +postage and packaging

Brewster -239A / Lt. Lauri Pekuri

Finnish Air Force Brewster BW-372 piloted by Lt. Lauri Pekuri on a reconnaissance task. Lt. Pekuri soon confronted enemy planes, four Hurricane fighters. In the ensuing dogfight he shot down one Hurricane, but was himself hit in the engine which started to burn. Pekuri soon realised he had to find a place to make an emergency landing. The only open spot in the forest-covered landscape was a lake, towards which he steered. The Brewster pilot goes in for a belly landing. The plane flips on its back, becomes filled with water and sinks. Lt. Pekuri extricates himself from the wreckage, and he kicks off his boots and swims to the shore. Then he penetrates 15 miles on foot through the wilderness to the Finnish lines.
Lt. Pekuri survived the war, scoring a total of 18 1/2 victories, 7 with BW-372

Edition: 100 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 37,5 x 26 cm. Price 35:- +postage and packaging

   

VL Myrsky II

In 1939 the Finnish State Aircraft Factory recieved from the Air Force a construction contract for a domestic fighter. The concept chosen was a single-seat low-wing aircraft with retractable landing gear. A Pratt & Withney 1 115 hp powerplant was chosed. The prototype was assembled in 1941. After several test flights and modifications a final version was presented 1943, then already slightly outdated. The flying caracteristics were anyhow concidered satisfaying. In the end of 1944 all the 50 fighters were completed. Only a few combat missions were flown. The Myrsky project is unique because it it was the first and only combat aircraft planned and assembled in Finland.
Signed by veteran pilot Jonannes Brotherus

Edition:150 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 37,5 x 26 cm. Price 40:-€ +postage and packaging

 

   
Originals

ORIGINAL PAINTINGS

In the world of art collectors there is nothing more desirable than an artist`painting.
Here is offered a small selection of original paintings for sale.

Take off from Malmi

Painting size 52 x 35 cm. Price on request

Meeting point

Painting size 52 x 35 cm. Price on request

Victory 34 / Hans Wind

Hans Wind facsimile
Painting size 54 x 36 cm. Price on request

Super Caravelle 10B

In December 1962 Sud Aviation of France delivered a Super Caravelle to Finnair. It was named Oulu. The new aircraft was equipped with Pratt & Whitney engines, which were more economical than the Rolls-Royce Avon engines used earlier. The flight radius increased by 700 kilometres to approximately 2300km. In the print OH-LSD is flying over the Helsinki Olympic Stadion. The Caravelle was a beautiful, stylish aircraft with pleasant flight characteristics, and it represented the most advanced technology of its time. The printed proofs are signed by P. Pulkkinen, B.Hielm, K .Karhila, M. Sorsa, A.Siirilä, H. Ahola and
M. Nurminen.

Painting size 52 x 35 cm.
Price on request

Messerschmitt bf-109 Preparations for an early mission

Signed by the artisr. Overall size: 37 x 26 cm
Price on request

38 Messerschmitt Me-262 “Schwalbe”

The Me-262 represented a new era in fighter design technology. This remarkable creation of Willy Messerschmitt was both sweep-winged and turbojet driven, a wery unic feature in 1945. The American and British fighters was outperformed by the futuristic design. Unreliable engines and lack of planes however worked in favor of the Allies. Kommando Novotny was the first unit to recieve the fighter verision of he Me-262. JG 7 composed of elit fighter pilots was the moust successfull. JG 7 pilot Walter Schuck gained 8 moore kills with Me-262 (total 206) The pilots of Me-262 achived exellent results in the final months of the second worldwar. The pilots courage and the formidable creation of Willy Messerschmitt was not enough to turn the outcome of the war.
The prints are signed by fighterpilot veterans Walter Schuck and Hans Ekkehard-Bob.

Painting size 52 x 35 cm.
Price on request

   

The finnish submarine VESIKKO

The project CV 7 07 was lounched 1933 from Chrichton-Vulcan yard in Turku. The Project CV 707 was a part of the secret rebuildingprogram of the German Reichsmarin.
The project spearheaded the technical development of a new type of submarine The hull, was welded electronically for higher tightness and greater divingpressure. ( Doubled diving depth 100 m) After trials carried out by German Reichmarin in Turku archipelago the project CV 707 was accepted as a prototype for the new German IIA class submarine. The Finnish government took over the ship in 1934 and she was named Vesikko.
Vesikko served in the Gulf of Finland. When the continuation war broke out in june 1941 Vesikko was orded to the eastern Gulf of Finland. In July she sunk with torpedoes a Sovjet merchant Vyborg. December 1944 Vesikko made her last patrol as a warship. Today the submarine Vesikko serves as a museum ship in Helsinki / Suomenlinna.

Painting size 36 x 54 cm. Price on request

   
Others

Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica

British Archibald Frazer Nash founded in 1922 a sports car manufacturing company. Composed of genuine Bristol parts the first Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica rolled out from the factory in 1948. Only 11 cars were produced. Today they represent attractive collectors object. Artists sign.

Edition: 100 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 30 x 19 cm. Price 20:-€ +postage and packaging

Peugeot 307 WRC

Driving for Peugeot Marcus Grönholm with Timo Rautiainen as co-driver won the World Rally Championship in 2000 and 2002. Artists sign.

Edition: 100 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 30 x 19 cm. Price 20:-€ +postage and packaging

Mercedes-Benz ( Silver Arrow 1934 )

The Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow here depicted in Helsinki Djurgårdsloppet 1935 with Carl Ebb at the wheel. Artists sign.

Edition: 100 limited and numbered prints. Printed area 30 x 19 cm. Price 20:-€ +postage and packaging

Contact information
  AVIArt
Sture Gripenberg
gdes@gdes.fi
Etuniemenniitty 4 C 6
02330 Espoo
Mobile +358 (0)40-5131 064