Jack D. Hunter Original Painting – BE-12 vs Albatros Fighters (Western Front, 1916)

This dramatic original painting by Jack D. Hunter (1921–2009), author of The Blue Max, captures a vivid aerial scene from the Western Front in the summer of 1916. Signed “Hunter” in the lower left, the watercolor and gouache composition depicts a British Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.12, serial number 6537, flying at altitude while its observer prepares to fend off two approaching German Albatros pursuit planes. The piece remains matted and framed, with Hunter’s own handwritten description mounted to the verso.

Hunter’s inscription sets the context:
“The pilot of a BE-12 single-seat scout tilts the Lewis gun down from its wing mount and prepares to cock and load for the oncoming assault by two German Albatros pursuit planes. The British flier has less than 50–50 chances of escaping. His plane is no match for the nimble Albatros, and his single machine gun, cranky and controlled by cable, will offer little difficulty for the Germans, who have two highly efficient Spandau machine-guns apiece.” – Jack D. Hunter.

The B.E.12, a single-seat derivative of the earlier B.E.2, was pressed into service as an “interim fighter” in 1916, despite being underpowered and poorly armed. Its fixed Lewis gun, mounted above the top wing, required the pilot to stand in his seat to change drums—a dangerous inconvenience in combat. By contrast, the Albatros D-series fighters introduced in late 1916 were faster, sturdier, and heavily armed with twin synchronized Spandau machine guns. This disparity made encounters such as the one depicted here perilous for Allied pilots, whose survival often depended on luck, altitude, or squadron support.

Physical Details:

• Medium: watercolor and gouache on artist’s board

• Signed: “Hunter” at lower left

• Frame dimensions: approx. 29 x 23 in (sight size 22 x 16 in)

• Verso: includes Hunter’s handwritten historical note, signed

• Condition: excellent, with vibrant colors and minor frame wear

Provenance & Significance:
Jack D. Hunter, remembered worldwide for The Blue Max (1964), combined his talents as novelist, historian, and artist in aviation-themed works. His paintings are highly sought by collectors of WWI militaria and aviation history, offering both artistic quality and documentary value. This particular painting highlights the technical imbalance faced by Allied airmen in mid-1916—a turning point in aerial warfare that set the stage for “Bloody April” the following year.

Price Recommendation: $1,200 – $1,500. Given Hunter’s enduring significance in aviation literature and the rarity of signed original works, this piece is desirable both as fine art and as a historical collectible.