Description:

Offered here is an absolutely beautiful vintage rare photograph of famous WWI German Ace pilot Ernst Udet wearing his handsome Luftwaffe uniform in front of his Fokker fighter plane while flying with the Red Baron.  Photo originally taken August 1918.  This scarce vintage print appears to be made later but seems to be from original negative.  Photo credits on back of photo (see scans).  Hard to find!

Udet was famous for thrilling spectators at the 1930's Air Races with his death-defying stunt flying acrobatics.  Too bad his life ended in such tragedy!  This rare photo would display nicely with an Udet signature or other artifact.  

Ernst Udet (26 April 1896 – 17 November 1941) was a German pilot and air force general during World War II.

Udet joined the Imperial German Air Service at age 19, eventually becoming a notable flying ace of World War I, scoring 62 confirmed victories by the end of his life. The highest scoring German fighter pilot to survive that war, and the second-highest scoring after Manfred von Richthofen, his commander in the Flying Circus, Udet rose to become a squadron commander under Richthofen, and later under Hermann Göring. Udet spent the 1920's and early 1930's as a stunt pilot, international barnstormer, light aircraft manufacturer, and playboy.

In 1933, Udet joined the Nazi Party and became involved in the early development of the Luftwaffe, where he was appointed director of research and development. Influential in the adoption of dive bombing techniques as well as the Stuka dive bomber, by 1939 Udet had risen to the post of Director-General of Equipment for the Luftwaffe. The stress of the position and his distaste for administrative duties led to Udet developing alcoholism.

The launch of Operation Barbarossa, combined with issues with the Luftwaffe's needs for equipment outstripping Germany's production capacity and increasingly poor relations with the Nazi Party, caused Udet to commit suicide on 17 November 1941 by shooting himself in the head.

Condition & Sizes:

Rare vintage B&W glossy photo on old fiber based photo paper measures approximately 6.5" X  4 3/4" (inches). Overall Excellent - Near Mint flawless condition with just one minor small upper left corner bend crease.  Very nice sharp image quality!!!

'Property of seb9' does not appear on actual items (for image theft prevention).

I have more vintage historic aviation currently listed!

  See photos & scans for exact conditions & detail.